URC: McCloskey returns for Ulster as Murphy makes three changes

Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has made three changes to his atartlingline-up for tomorrow night's must-win URC clash at home to Sharks.

Werner Kok, Stuart McCloskey and Matty Rea all come in for Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore and Dave McCann.

Former Sharks winger Kok returns to the starting line-up to for the first time since January in a welcome boost to the side.

Ireland international McCloskey also starts after injury prevented him from facing Leinster last weekend.

Alan O'Connor captains the side in his final home match for the club, with Andrew Warwick, Matty Rea and Kieran Treadwell all in line for their farewell appearance in front of home support.

The front row remains unchanged from last weekend, with Warwick starting at loosehead prop, alongside hooker Rob Herring and tighthead Tom O'Toole. After impressing last weekend in Dublin, Cormac Izuchukwu starts once again in the second row alongside O'Connor.

In one change to the back row, Rea comes in at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney on the openside and James McNabney getting the nod in the number eight jersey.

The half-back partnership remains unchanged, with Nathan Doak at scrum-half and Jack Murphy at fly-half.

Murphy shuffles the backline following last weekend's injuries to Michael Lowry and Stewart Moore.

Zac Ward starts on the left wing, with Kok returning to action on the right flank. Ireland international Jacob Stockdale takes up the full-back position. In the midfield pairing, Jude Postlethwaite starts at outside centre, alongside McCloskey at inside centre.

Murphy opts for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Kieran Treadwell and David McCann providing the forward options.

Dave Shanahan and Aidan Morgan offer the backline reinforcements.

Ulster side to play Sharks, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday April 26 (7.35pm)

1-8: Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney

9-15: Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Zac Ward, Stuart McCloskey, Jude Postlethwaite, Werner Kok, Jacob Stockdale

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Kieran Treadwell, Dave Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, David McCann