Match Preview: Connacht V Ulster

Connacht travel to the Kingspan stadium to face Ulster for this season’s first round of URC interpros on Saturday.

The western province have started the season in fine fettle and lie in 4^th place in the URC table on 11 points.

After a narrow loss away to Munster on opening day Pete Wilkin’s side have bounced back with a home win over the Sharks and a late Cathal Forde penalty brought them to victory last Friday night against the Scarlets

An away win against their northern rivals would be a huge coup for Connacht and while speaking to the media, head coach Wilkins underlined the necessity for improvement if they are to come away from the Kingspan with a win.

Ulster on the other hand have had contrasting fortunes in the opening weeks of the season, they sit 13^th in the table on six points.

A brilliant victory over reigning champions Glasgow Warriors in round 1 was followed by heavy losses by the Lions and then the Bulls over in South Africa.

However, they have some key players returning this week and with a formidable home record since Richie Murphy has taken the reigns they will have no intention of succumbing to a 3rd loss on the trot.

There is an added bit of spice to the game as Murphy prepares to face off against his son Ben who lines out in the 9 shirt for Connacht.

Murphy speaking to RTE admitted his delight at how Ben had begun the season but hopes to nulify him this weekend.

“We’ll wait and see. He’s had a really good start to the season. Obviously he moved down to Galway in the summer and has fitted in really well.

“Like every young player when they make these moves, if they get the opportunity, it gives them the opportunity to take it and that’s what he’s done. It’s great to see him doing so well, but not this week.”

When is Connacht v Ulster

The game kicks off at 8pm on Saturday 12 October.

Where to Watch Connacht v Ulster

The match will be broadcasted live on TG4 as well as Premier Sports 1. Coverage for both channels will begin at 7:45pm.

Team News

Pete Wilkins has made five changes from the side that beat Scarlets with Kiwi out half Josh Ioane as well as second row Joe Joyce returning from injury.

Elsewhere, Sean O’Brien lines out for the first time this season taking his place in the backrow. Paul Boyle also comes in at number 8 and captain Cian Prendergast completes the back row.

Piers O’Connor moves from wing to partner Bundee Aki in the centres with Shayne Bolton coming into the side in the 11 jersey while last week’s match winner Cathal Forde drops to the bench.

For Ulster, Richie Murphy has significantly rejigged his team most notably recalling John Cooney at scrum half among seven changes to the side that lined out against the Bulls.

Murphy has gone for experience in the engine room with John Andrew and Tom O’Toole coming into the front row while Kieran Treadwell returns to partner captain Iain Henderson in the second row.

Dave McCann shifts back from number 8 to blindside flanker with Ireland international Nick Timoney taking his place.

In the backs Jude Postlethwaite comes in for Ben Carson at inside centre and Ethan McIlroy will line out at full back replacing Mike Lowry. Lowry and Carson will hope to provide impact from the substitutes bench.