Irvine To Make European Debut As Starter For Ulster

Development lock Charlie Irvine will step up for his EPCR Challenge Cup debut, coming into Ulster’s starting XV for their opening European fixture against Racing 92 on Friday night.

Limited tickets are still available for the 8pm kick-off, with the Ulstermen looking to continue their strong start to the season at Affidea Stadium. Click here to buy your ticket(s).

With captain Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Matthew Dalton all nursing injuries, the 22-year-old Irvine will partner Harry Sheridan in a youthful second row pairing.

Irvine played the majority of last week’s BKT United Rugby Championship win over Benetton after Dalton came off with a knee injury. It will be his second senior start for the province, over a year on from his debut against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made four changes to the team that won 47-13 against Benetton. Flanker Nick Timoney continues as captain in the absence of Henderson, who suffered a back spasm before last Friday’s game.

Rob Herring has recovered from an ankle injury to start at hooker, flanked by Sam Crean and Tom O’Toole. The starting pack is completed by David McCann and Juarno Augustus, who has been showing impressive form from number 8.

Jude Postlethwaite, the player-of-the-match against Benetton, is part of an almost unchanged back-line. Zac Ward’s inclusion on the left wing is the only alteration.

Postlethwaite and James Hume team up again in the centre, while Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak continue their half-back partnership, eager to make an impact on the Challenge Cup stage.

Ward joins a potent-looking back-three that has Jacob Stockdale at full-back and Robert Baloucoune, the scorer of seven tries in his last three outings for both Ulster and Ireland ‘A’, out on the right.

Australian international Angus Bell, a recent arrival in Belfast, is poised to make his Ulster debut as part of a five-three split on the bench. Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes, and Bryn Ward are the other forward options.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Stewart Moore are the replacement backs as the province prepare to play Racing for the first time since a 31-15 pool win in the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup, during which Timoney scored two tries.

ULSTER (v Racing 92): Jacob Stockdale; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Charlie Irvine, David McCann, Nick Timoney (capt), Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore.