United Rugby Championship: Rob Herring and Zak Ward start for Ulster v Cardiff

Ulster hooker Rob Herring and winger Zach Ward have been called up for United Rugby’s County Championship match against Cardiff at the Avidia Stadium.

Herring, who was among the substitutes in the late 27-22 defeat to Scarlets last weekend, joins Scott Wilson and Angus Bell in the front row.

The second row remained unchanged, with captain Ian Henderson joining Charlie Irvine.

In the back row, Marcus Rea makes his first start of the season while scrum-half Conor McKee comes into the team.

Ward returns to the backline alongside Ethan McIlroy, who makes his first start of the season at full-back after recovering from a knee injury.

Ben Carson will make his first URC start of the campaign at inside centre, while Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split between the substitutes.

Brian O’Connor, Lorcan McLoughlin and Ben Moxham all make their first appearance of the season off the bench.

Jacob Stockdale, Nathan Doak, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Balocone, Tom O’Toole, Jude Postlethwaite, Tom Stewart, Cormac Isochukwu and Nick Timoney are all off duty in Ireland.

Ulster: McIlroy. Cook, Hume, Carson, Ward; Murphy, McKee. Bell, Herring, Wilson; Henderson (Captain), Irvine; Dalton, Rhea, McCann.

Replacements: McCormack, Crane, O’Connor, Sheridan, McLoughlin, Shanahan, Flannery, Moxham.