Ulster Hand Hopes His First Senior Start
Joe Hopes is pictured with Michael Lowry and Jake Flannery following Ulster's bonus point victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban last week ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made seven personnel changes for their BKT United Rugby Championship match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off 1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish time).
Four of the alterations are enforced as the province’s captain Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, and Nick Timoney are all currently in Chicago with the Ireland squad, ahead of next week’s Gallagher Cup clash with New Zealand.
As Ulster bid to make it two wins out of two on South African soil, development forward Joe Hopes replaces Henderson in the second row for his first senior start.
The 21-year-old Academy graduate, who came on as a replacement against the Hollywoodbets Sharks last weekend, joins Harry Sheridan at lock, with hooker Rob Herring handed the captaincy reins.
Sam Crean and Ireland prop Tom O’Toole complete the tight five for the Johannesburg fixture, while Tom Stewart, who showed his versatility by moving to the back row during the second half in Durban, will slot in at openside flanker.
Stewart was confirmed earlier this week as captain of a youthful Ireland XV squad for their game against Spain next month. Ulster’s back row also features David McCann, on the blindside, and Juarno Augustus who has recovered from an arm injury to start at number 8.
The in-form Nathan Doak, the league’s top scorer with 37 points, and Jack Murphy are retained at half-back. Stockdale’s place on the left wing is filled by Zac Ward, a recent try scorer against the Dragons.
Jude Postlethwaite takes over from McCloskey to partner James Hume in the centre, and Robert Baloucoune, making his second appearance of the season, and full-back Michael Lowry link up with Ward in the back-three.
Indeed, Ireland XV squad call-up Ward could play alongside his younger brother, Academy back rower Bryn, for the first time. The 21-year-old flew out as one of Ulster’s squad additions this week, and is in line for his senior bow as a replacement.
James McCormick, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, and Matthew Dalton are the other forward options on the bench, with Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Werner Kok, one of the try scorers against the Sharks, the back-line reserves.
Speaking ahead of the round 5 game, Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon said: “It’s a little bit disruptive, we’ve had some players come out to bolster our numbers, but we’re probably down a couple.
“Obviously you’re losing four lads (to the Ireland squad) who have lots of IQ and are big leaders around the group as well, so it is disruptive, but I think the lads have been going well.
“We’re focused on the Lions, we’re not thinking about tables as (it is) very early in the season and all the rest, so yeah, it’s going to be a big performance needed at the Lions this weekend.
“We’re only going to have one session and a Captain’s Run, so I don’t think there’s going to be any opportunity to acclimatise (to the conditions). But a lot of the guys have played in it before, so they kind of have a bit of an idea of what’s coming.
“It’s a huge task. We’re under no illusions there. We know what’s going to face us in the Lions with the heat and altitude. (Going two from two) would be a brilliant return for us.”
ULSTER (v Lions): Michael Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, David McCann, Tom Stewart, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Werner Kok.