By:
Conor Martin
Richie Murphy has named his Ulster side for Saturday’s big United Rugby Championship showdown with Cardiff at the Affidea Stadium.
Murphy’s team for this weekend feels like a proper statement selection. Ulster want to close out before the international break with a win, keep that unbeaten home record intact, and send a clear message to the rest of the league.
There are six players in the matchday squad who’ve earned Ireland XV call-ups for next Friday’s England ‘A’ game at Thomond Park, which tells you everything you need to know about the depth in this squad right now.
Up front, two changes in the front row sees Australian international Angus Bell come in at loosehead alongside hooker Rob Herring and tighthead Scott Wilson. That trio gives Ulster a real platform to dominate the set-piece and grind Cardiff down.
The second row is unchanged, with captain Iain Henderson continuing to lead from the front, partnered by development lock Charlie Irvine.
In the back row, Matthew Dalton starts at blindside, Marcus Rea gets his first start of the season at openside, and David McCann anchors the pack at number eight. That back row has the work-rate and physicality to set the tone.
And in the engine room, Conor McKee pairs with Jack Murphy at nine and ten a half-back combo that can control the game and deliver the finishing punches.
https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/2017206387550323011
Ulstermen ring the changes in the backline
Three changes in the backline as Zac Ward returns to start on the left wing, bringing some serious form and pace to the outside channel. In the midfield, Ben Carson gets his first URC start of the season at inside centre, partnered by James Hume on the outside. Ethan McIlroy also comes in to start at full-back, completing a refreshed back three.
Murphy has gone with a 5:3 split on the bench, signalling intent to keep the forwards fresh and physical. Bryan O’Connor, Lorcan McLoughlin and Ben Moxham are all in line for their first appearances of the campaign, with Moxham’s inclusion the standout – he’s back in the matchday 23 after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in November 2024.
In the forwards, James McCormick, Sam Crean, O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and McLoughlin provide the cover, while the backline options come in the form of David Shanahan, Jake Flannery and Moxham. It’s a squad that looks ready to mix energy with experience and keep the intensity high.
Also in action on Saturday are Leinster and Connacht, who have both named their teams for their URC clashes
Ulster team to play Cardiff:
Ulster: Angus Bell, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson (Capt), Charlie Irvine, Matthew Dalton, Marcus Rea, David McCann, Conor McKee, Jack Murphy, Zac Ward, Ben Carson, James Hume, Werner Kok, Ethan McIlroy
Replacements: James McCormick, Sam Crean, Bryan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Lorcan McLoughlin, David Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Ben Moxham
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