Irish Internationals return for Ulster trip to Swansea

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has brought four Irish international into the team for the meeting Ospreys on Sunday.

The province returns to URC action for the first time since beating league leaders, Leinster at the RDS Arena on New Year’s Day.

Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale, Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney are back with Ulster, following their release from Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations camp.

The experienced front row sees Andrew Warwick start at loosehead, with John Andrew at hooker and Marty Moore starting at tighthead prop.

In the second row, Academy products, Harry Sheridan and skipper Iain Henderson, pair up as Ulster’s locks.

Indeed, the back row sees David McCann start at blindside flanker. Marcus Rea starts at openside flanker, with Ireland international, Nick Timoney, starting at eight.

McFarland opts for the talented half-back pairing of Nathan Doak at scrum-half and Jake Flannery at ten.

Whereas, Jacob Stockdale returns from international camp to start on the left wing. Stockdale having dotted down six tries this season in the URC so far.

The young and dynamic centre partnership sees Jude Postlethwaite join James Hume in the engine room of the backfield. Whereas, Mike Lowry starts on the right wing with Will Addison at full-back.

Tom Stewart is named on the bench as he returns from Ireland duty for the match. Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff is named alongside Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Luke Marshall and Ethan McIlroy to complete Ulster’s replacement options.

Ulster: Will Addison, Mike Lowry, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Harry Sheridan, Iain Henderson (C), David McCann, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Steven Kitshoff, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.