Ulster vs Benetton: The Irish trio and Juarno Augustus return for the hosts in a URC clash

Three Ulster Irish internationals have been named to start in Friday’s United Rugby Championship match against Benetton in Belfast (19:45 GMT).

While midfielder Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out with a thigh injury, Ian Henderson returns to captain Ulster from the second row, with Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale also called up.

After being deployed on the left wing in his last appearance for Ulster, Stockdale returned to full-back, where he played in the win over the Bulls last month.

A resurgent Juarno Augustus starts at number eight after recovering from an arm injury, but Cormac Izuchukwu has not been included despite returning to training after a foot problem.

Tom Stewart, who captained the Ireland XV to victory over Spain earlier this month, starts with Sam Crean and Scott Wilson to complete the front row.

Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak are once again paired at full-back, with substitute half-back Dave Shanahan making his 100th appearance for the county off the bench.

Experienced substitutes also include Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole and Stuart Moore, who was recalled from his loan at Newcastle Red Bulls earlier this week.

Back row Bryn Ward, who made his debut against the Lions in Johannesburg last month, is also among the substitutes, but there is no place in the team for his older brother Zak, who has started three URC matches this season.

Ulster coach Richie Murphy is currently without Ben Carson, Michael Lowry, Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Revell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O’Sullivan (hamstring) and James Macnaby (knee).

Australian Angus Bell, who has joined until the end of the season, was not selected this week.

Fifth-placed Ulster have recorded three wins and one defeat in four matches this season. Benetton ranks tenth with two wins and three losses. The Italian team won last season’s match 34-19 in Treviso.

Ulster: Stockdale. Balcon, Hume, Postlethwaite, Cook; Murphy, Doc. Crane, Stewart, Wilson, Henderson (captain), McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Herring, Reid, O’Toole, Dalton, Ward, Shanahan, Flannery, Moore.