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No sign of called-up Ireland star as Ulster name team for Cardiff
By Ian Cameron
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has named his team for the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 6 match against Cardiff on Saturday – with no sign of hooker Rob Herring in the squad.
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Five players included in Ireland’s squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series are set to feature, with Iain Henderson, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and Stuart McCloskey all named in the starting line-up before heading off for international duty next week.
However, Herring – who was also named in the Andy Farrell’s squad for November – is not listed in the 23. Herring is yet to play this season and is attempting to recover from an calf injury. Ireland are currently without the injured pairing of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, so Herring’s return to fitness is badly needed.
Henderson captains the side from the second row alongside Kieran Treadwell. The front row remains unchanged from last week’s victory over Ospreys, with Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick and Tom O’Toole retaining their spots.
Ireland rookie Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker, continuing his push for a potential first Test cap, while Timoney returns at openside flanker. David McCann completes the back row at number eight.
The half-back pairing sees Nathan Doak at scrum-half alongside Aidan Morgan at fly-half. Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre, with Jude Postlethwaite at outside centre. The back three includes Mike Lowry on the left wing, Werner Kok on the right, and Ethan McIlroy at full-back.
Murphy has opted for a 5:3 split on the bench, with forwards John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, and Marcus Rea providing cover. John Cooney, Ben Carson, and Ben Moxham are named as the backline replacements.
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Ulster: (1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann, (15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham
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