Ulster vs Munster: John Cooney returns as fly-half Jack Murphy set for Ulster debut in URC game
Fit-again John Cooney has returned for Ulster’s United Rugby Championship game against Munster on Friday (19:35 GMT), while academy fly-half Jack Murphy could make his debut off the bench.
Ireland Under-20 international Murphy, the son of head coach Richie Murphy, joined the Ulster academy from Leinster earlier this year.
The 20-year-old started all five of Ireland’s games in this year’s Under-20 Six Nations.
Scrum-half Cooney, who missed Ulster’s Investec Champions Cup losses to Toulouse and Bordeaux, is recalled to partner Aidan Morgan in the half-backs.
There are four changes in the forwards. Andrew Warwick replaces Eric O’Sullivan at loosehead prop, Alan O’Connor deputises for injured captain Iain Henderson in the second row while James McNabney and Marcus Rea are recalled to the back row.
Zac Ward is retained on the left wing after making his debut in last week’s defeat by Bordeaux.
As well as Henderson, Ulster are without Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Stewart Moore and Jacob Stockdale.
Munster make six changes to the side that lost to Castres in Europe last weekend with Shane Daly, Paddy Patterson, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes all recalled.
Ireland forwards Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne are not involved for Munster who, like Ulster, have three wins and four defeats in this season’s URC.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.
