Ulster Team News Ahead of Edinburgh URC Match
Prop Tom McAllister is set to make his senior Ulster debut in the rescheduled United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture against Edinburgh on Friday, kicking off at 19:45 GMT.
McAllister, an Ireland under-20 international tight-head prop who joined the Ulster academy last year, will start in the front row alongside Australian loose-head Angus Bell and hooker Rob Herring. Herring will captain the team in the absence of Iain Henderson, who has been called up to the Ireland squad ahead of Saturday's Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland.
Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite, and Bryn Ward have all returned to the starting lineup after participating in Ireland's Six Nations camp. Additionally, number eight Juarno Augustus will make his first appearance of 2026 following recovery from an ankle injury. Izuchukwu had missed Ulster's 28 February loss to Ospreys due to a concussion.
With Nathan Doak still representing Ireland, Dave Shanahan has been given a rare starting role at scrum-half, selected ahead of Conor McKee, who will be on the bench. Shanahan, 32, has made three substitute appearances this season, but Friday's match will be his first senior start since November 2023.
Head coach Richie Murphy has made only one change to the backline from the team that faced Ospreys on 28 February, with Shanahan replacing Doak at scrum-half. Jack Murphy retains the fly-half position, while Zac Ward, Werner Kok, and Michael Lowry continue in the back three. Postlethwaite and James Hume remain in midfield.
The bench features a five-three split, with forwards James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes, and David McCann providing cover. Backs McKee, Jake Flannery, and Ben Carson complete the replacements.
Ulster currently sit sixth in the URC table but can move up to second place with a bonus-point victory over 12th-placed Edinburgh. The Scottish side won the previous season's meeting 47-17 at Hive Stadium.
This fixture was originally scheduled for 3 October but was postponed due to Storm Amy.
Ulster Starting XV and Replacements
Starting XV: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite; Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Dave Shanahan; Angus Bell, Rob Herring (captain), Tom McAllister, Alan Sheridan, Tom Irvine, Cormac Izuchukwu, Bryn Ward, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes, David McCann, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ben Carson.
