Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney return to the Ulster pack for Sunday’s visit of the Bulls.
Ulster kicked off their season with a bonus-point 36-40 victory in Italy, beating Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Stalwart lock, Alan O’Connor, returns to captain the Ulster men on their first run out in front of home supporters on the new 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium.
In the front row, the province’s long-serving Ballymena prop, Andy Warwick, starts at loosehead. Meanwhile, Warwick is joined by Ireland internationals Tom Stewart at hooker and Tom O’Toole at tighthead, who returns from duty with the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.
Whereas, O’Connor is joined in the second row by Ireland international Kieran Treadwell. Treadwell was awarded the BKT URC Player of the March award last weekend against Zebre Parma.
In a formidable back-row, Dave Ewers makes his home debut after joining the province from Exeter Chiefs. Dave McCann starts as openside flanker and Nick Timoney gets the nod at number eight, making his 99th appearance for the province.
The half-back partnership is a familiar one. Scrum-half Nathan Doak is joined by the experienced Billy Burns at 10. Burns returns to the starting line-up, after coming on as a replacement last weekend.
In a youthful centre partnership formed in the Ulster Academy, Jude Postlethwaite makes his first start at Kingspan Stadium, alongside James Hume in the engine room of Ulster’s backfield.
Balocucoune returns
Fresh from scoring two tries in the opening weekend win, Jacob Stockdale retains his position on Ulster’s left wing. On the other side, Rob Baloucoune, returns to the starting line-up.
Will Addison starting at full-back, for the first time in Kingspan Stadium since 2021. While, McFarland opts for a 5:3 split on the bench.
Ulster: Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Dave Ewers, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney, Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.
Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Mike Lowry.
