Ulster

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Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey believes the side have "still got loads to work on" despite a largely strong start to their season.

The northern province go into Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) game against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT) fifth in the table on 22 points having played a game fewer than those above them.

Even after surrendering a lead to Leinster last weekend, no side in the league has scored more than Ulster's 29 tries during the 2025-26 campaign.

"I think we probably know from the weekend where we are, I think we're close enough," said the Irish international.

"To give Leinster a good run on the weekend, we probably should have come on top if we'd done a few things differently in the second half.

"So, we know where we are. I think our attack has been brilliant, our defence has moved in the right direction."

It is all a marked improvement from last season when Ulster finished outside of the URC play-offs, as the fourth of the Irish provinces and failed to qualify for top-tier European competition for the first time in their history.

"Listen, it wasn't great last year," said McCloskey.

"It's nice to come in here saying we've scored the most tries in the league and we've still got loads to work on.

"I think there's so much growth in the team and we look back after most games and go, how much better we could have been?"

The Leinster loss last time out, in a game Ulster led by 10 points at half-time, came after losing a 14-point advantage during the final quarter against Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

Heading to Galway off the back of their first back-to-back losses, McCloskey believes Ulster have to continue what they have done well to this point in the season rather than change approach for an interprovincial derby.

"I think we just want to go out and make sure we play the game we've been playing for the first eight games of the season this week and not try to do anything different just because it's Connacht."

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Cormac Izuchuku is included in the Ulster starting line-up for the first time since October as the Irish province make six changes to the starting XV which took to the field for the 24-20 defeat by Leinster for Saturday's interprovincial against Connacht in Galway (17:30 GMT).

The second row has overcome injury and illness and this week committed his future to Ulster by agreeing a two-year contract extension.

Izuchukwu replaces Charlie Irvine in the second row for the Dexcom Stadium encounter and will partner Harry Sheridan, who will make his 50th appearance for the province.

Sam Crean and Scott Wilson come in at loose-head and tight-head prop respectively, with Tom Stewart retaining his position at hooker.

In the half-backs, scrum-half Conor McKee makes his first interprovincial derby start alongside fly-half Jack Murphy.

The two changes in the back division see Zac Ward start on the left wing and James Hume return to join Stuart McCloskey in the midfield after he missed out last week through illness.

In-form Werner Kok starts on the right wing after scoring two tries against Leinster, as Jacob Stockdale is retained at full-back.

David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus make up the back row.

The back-line replacements are Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite, while the forward options on the bench are John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O'Toole, Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward.

Ulster go into the Christmas period in fifth position in the table after winning four and losing two of their URC matches to date.

Richie Murphy's side will complete a trio of Irish interprovincial derbies when they host Munster in Belfast on 2 January.

Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster will give academy wing Daniel Ryan his senior debut as the western province look to bounce back from a dispiriting defeat by Dragons last time out.

Prop Denis Buckley will become Connacht's second most capped player when he represents the side for the 270th time, behind only John Muldoon's 327 outings for the side.

Lock David O'Connor will start in the second row against his former side, while scrum-half Ben Murphy, will feature against an Ulster side coached by his father Richie and featuring his brother Jack.

Connacht: Gilbert; Ryan, Forde, Aki, Treacy; Carty, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, O'Connor; J Murphy, Prendergast, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Barrett, Murray, O'Brien, Devine, Ioane, Gavin.

Ulster: Stockdale; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Crean, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Andrew, Bell, O'Toole, Hopes, B Ward, Doak, Flannery, Postlethwaite.

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Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu says "pride in the province" is what helps make Irish derbies special as the side prepare to take on Connacht this weekend.

Richie Murphy's side travel to the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT) for what is their second of three games in a row against Irish rivals in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The northern province are looking to bounce back following a narrow 24-20 loss against Leinster last time.

The home side, meanwhile, come into the match off the back of a loss comprehensive reverse against Dragons.

"Connacht away, Leinster away and Munster at home, they are special," Izuchukwu told BBC Sport NI.

"There is something about them, they are class to play in.

"For me it is having pride in the province, going down there and showing what we are about."

Izuchukwu, who has not played since early October because of a recurring foot injury followed by an illness last week, has just signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Ulster until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old second row added that he has "grown as a person and a player" since joining the Ulster academy in 2020.

"It has been on my mind for a while now, so really happy to get it done and to get back to playing rugby," Izuchukwu continued.

"I came here back in 2020, I didn't have many options, and they gave me a chance. I came here, have made friends and have grown as a person and a player.

"I have made great memories here and, for me, with how the club is growing I am so happy to be here."

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Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu has signed a two-year contract extension with the province until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old made his Ulster debut in 2021 and has racked up 44 appearances for the province.

The versatile forward has also won three caps for Ireland and said he was "delighted" to commit his future to Richie Murphy's side.

"We are delighted as we wanted to keep our best players at Ulster," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"He [Izuchukwu] has become an important member of the squad over the last couple of seasons.

"He is and around that Irish set up at the moment and one of our goas is to push him hard enough to become a regular member of that Irish team and I know that is something he wants to do."

Ulster general manager Rory Best said tying Izuchukwu down to a new deal was a "really important renewal".

"Cormac has shown so much of his unique potential over the past season or two, with his profile of physicality and power helping to make him one of the most exciting forwards in Irish rugby," he added when speaking to Ulster's website.

"He has earned national team recognition due to his performances, and we believe he has a very exciting future in front of him for both Ulster and Ireland."

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Cormac Izuchukwu and James Hume are set to feature in Ulster's United Rugby Championship game against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

The URC fixture is the second of three games in a row against Irish provinces for Ulster, with Richie Murphy's side coming into the game after back-to-back defeats against Cardiff and Leinster.

Ireland lock Izuchukwu has not played since early October and returns to the squad alongside Hume, who missed the interprovincial derby defeat at Aviva Stadium after scoring a try in the Challenge Cup match against Cardiff.

Nathan Doak is a doubt because of a calf problem with Rob Baloucoune (shoulder) and Stewart Moore (wrist) also injury concerns.

Charlie Irvine, who picked up a calf injury against defending URC champions Leinster, has been ruled out.

However, despite missing multiple players, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said that his side's injury situation is "reasonably good."

"Injuries are reasonably good from the weekend," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"We have had a couple of long-term ones which haven't changed but, from the game at the weekend, we have come out pretty well."

Connacht will be looking to get back to winning ways themselves after losing 48-28 to Dragons in their last match.

The home side have lost four of their opening six URC matches but won their previous home game.

"Connacht are in a tough place," Murphy continued.

"They are coming off a pretty poor defeat in their eyes so it will be a very difficult place to go this weekend."

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says there is no time for "wallowing" after losing 24-20 to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

Two scores from Werner Kok and a Tom Stewart try helped Ulster to a 17-7 half-time lead at the Aviva Stadium.

However, Leinster, aided by a strong bench, rallied as Joshua Kenny and Ireland internationals James Lowe and Dan Sheehan crossed to give the hosts a comeback win.

"It was a difficult turnaround in the second half, we never really got our game going," Murphy told Premier Sports.

"We probably went away from what we were doing in the first half and if you give a team like Leinster a little bit of field position, they can play on top of you and it's very hard to try and recover."

It is a second defeat in a row for Ulster, who have had a superb start to the season.

A much-changed side let slip a 14-point lead to lose to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup, and Leinster inflicted a second league defeat of the season on Murphy's young side.

However, they still remain fourth in the table, one place ahead of Leinster, and take on Connacht in Galway after Christmas.

"We can't spend too much time wallowing over this. We have to learn from it and move on," Murphy added.

"We did talk about that last week and now it's a second defeat on the bounce. That's something we want to try and change pretty quickly.

"We'll park this, prepare for Connacht and move on."

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Australia prop Angus Bell will make his first Ulster start in Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster at Aviva Stadium (19:45 GMT).

Short-term signing Bell, who came off the bench in the Challenge Cup fixtures against Racing 92 and Cardiff, starts at loose-head with Ireland internationals Tom O'Toole and Tom Stewart completing the front row.

Centre Stuart McCloskey returns from the groin injury he sustained on Ireland duty last month. He is joined in midfield by Jude Postlethwaite, who missed last weekend's defeat by Cardiff because of concussion.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has recalled several players after rotating his squad for the Cardiff game, with Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus returning to the back row.

Jacob Stockdale is restored at full-back, while Rob Baloucoune - who has scored five tries this season - returns to the right wing. The first-choice half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy are also recalled.

Ethan McIlroy is set for his first appearance since January from the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

Ireland forward James Ryan will earn his 100th Leinster cap in Friday's interprovincial derby.

URC holders Leinster will be captained by Jack Conan, who came through graduated return to play protocols, with Caelan Doris not named in the squad.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made 11 changes from last weekend's Investec Champions Cup win at Leicester.

New Zealand international Rieko Ioane will play his first URC game after a couple of Champions Cup appearances, while Sam Prendergast is restored at fly-half after Harry Byrne was preferred for the Leicester game.

Ulster have won four out of five URC games this season while Leinster have three wins and three defeats from six. Leinster won both meetings last season, including a comprehensive 41-17 win at Aviva Stadium in April.

Leinster: Frawley; Kenny, Ioane, Tector, Lowe; Prendergast, McGrath; Boyle, G McCarthy, Slimani, Deeny, Ryan, Soroka, Penny, Conan (capt).

Replacements: Sheehan, P McCarthy, Furlong, J McCarthy, Deegan, Gunne, Byrne, Moloney.

Ulster: Stockdale; Baloucoune, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Kok; Murphy, Doak; Bell, Stewart, O'Toole, Sheridan, Irvine, McCann, Timoney (capt), Augustus.

Replacements: Andrew, Crean, Wilson, Hopes, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, McIlroy.

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Centres Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite are set to feature when Ulster travel to Leinster on Friday night.

The United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture at the Aviva Stadium (19:45 GMT) will be Richie Murphy's side's first interprovincial derby of the 2025-26 season.

Ulster, who are fourth in the URC table with four wins from five games, will also welcome back Ethan McIlroy for what would be his first game in 11 months after an ACL injury.

McCloskey started twice for Ireland during the autumn series, against the All Blacks and Australia, but left both games with a groin problem.

Fellow centre Postlethwaite, who has been in impressive form for northern province this season, missed the European Challenge Cup defeat by Cardiff through concussion but has returned to full team training.

Loose-head prop Callum Reid also missed that reverse in the Arms Park through illness but is "expected" to be available in Dublin.

Tight-head Rory Maguire, however, sustained an ankle injury in the game and joins the likes of Iain Henderson (back), Matthew Dalton (knee), Rob Herring (knee), James McNabney (knee) and Michael Lowry (ankle) on the injured list.

Leinster have confirmed that Ireland number eight Jack Conan is fit to return against Ulster, while the availability of Tadhg Furlong, Will Connors and Jimmy O'Brien will be assessed as the week progresses.

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Ireland back row Jack Conan will be available for selection when Leinster welcome Ulster to Dublin on Friday night.

The return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action after the two-week break for European competitions sees Ulster visit the Aviva Stadium (19:45 GMT) for their first interprovincial derby of the 2025-26 campaign.

Conan, 33, started Leinster's 23-15 Champions Cup victory over Leicester on Friday night but was taken off after an early collision with Tigers full-back Freddie Steward.

Leinster said the number eight has "come through the graduated return to play protocols", while the availability of Tadhg Furlong, Will Connors and Jimmy O'Brien will be assessed as the week progresses.

Leo Cullen's side offered no updates on the respective injuries of Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne, Jordan Larmour, Ryan Baird, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose and RG Snyman.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy believed his side were "in control" of the game before giving up a 14-point advantage to lose to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

The northern province were 26-12 ahead after 65 minutes of the game but tries from Danny Southworth and Dan Thomas levelled matters before Callum Sheedy won the game for the hosts with the last kick of the contest.

It was the second large lead surrendered by Ulster at the Arms Park in as many seasons after they fell 21-19 having led 19-0 at half-time in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last October.

"We're 14 points up, we're in control of the game, but we stopped playing a little bit and a couple of loose kicks sort of brings Cardiff back into the game and puts us under pressure," said Murphy.

"[It was a] disappointing way to finish."

'Their second try can't be a try'

Murphy was frustrated that Cardiff's second try of the game, a score which gave the hosts a 12-0 lead, was allowed to stand having felt Leigh Halfpenny had knocked the ball on in the build-up.

"Their second try can't be a try because it hits his [Halfpenny's] hand, hits his chest and goes forward. I'm not sure what the rules are, except for that's definitely a knock on," said Murphy.

"There was quite a few questionable moments within the game. I suppose we don't want to talk about the officiating, but it's hard when things like that go amiss."

Having still taken two points from the defeat, coupled with the bonus-point win over Racing 92 in their Challenge Cup opener last weekend, the 1999 European champions have seven points at the halfway stage of Pool 3.

Despite rotating for the loss against their URC rivals, Ulster remain in a strong position in a competition where four teams from the six in each pool advance to the knock-out stages.

"If you had said two points before the game, would we have taken it? Maybe, but I suppose the big feeling at the moment is just disappointed with how we finished the game," Murphy added.

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Tom Stewart will captain Ulster for the first time as head coach Richie Murphy rings the changes for the Challenge Cup trip to Cardiff on Saturday (20:00 GMT).

Stewart, who captained Ireland XV's win over Spain last month, will lead a side showing nine alterations from last week's thumping win over Racing 92 in Belfast.

The 24-year-old replaces Rob Herring at hooker, while loose-head prop Callum Reid also comes into the front row.

Harry Sheridan and Charlie Irvine are retained in the second row, with Sean Reffell and Bryn Ward recalled to the back row.

Murphy has opted to switch up his half-back pairing for the first time this season with Conor McKee and Jake Flannery handed starts, while centre Ben Carson, wing Werner Kok and full-back Stewart Moore are also added to the backline.

Wallabies prop Angus Bell is again named on the bench after making his debut last week. Fit-again Ireland forward Cormac Izuchukwu also makes the bench after missing two months out with a foot injury.

Instonians full-back Bradley McNamara could make his debut after being handed the number 23 shirt. Replacement hooker John Andrew is set for his first appearance since March, while uncapped prop Rory McGuire and James Humphreys are also included.

Jacob Stockdale, Rob Baloucoune, Jude Postlethwaite, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Sam Crean, Rob Herring and Nick Timoney are all rested after starting the Racing game.

Ulster: Moore; Kok, Hume, Carson, Z Ward; Flannery, McKee; Reid, Stewart (capt), O'Toole, Sheridan, Irvine, McCann, Reffell, B Ward.

Replacements: Andrew, Bell, McGuire, Izuchukwu, Augustus, Shanahan, Humphreys, McNamara.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ulster hooker Tom Stewart says he is getting "into a bit of a groove" ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup trip to Cardiff.

Stewart made an impact off the bench as he touched down one of seven second-half tries as Ulster marked their return to action last week with a commanding 61–7 victory over Racing 92 in Belfast.

The 24-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but now feels he is getting back to his best form, helped by a run of games heading into a busy festive period that includes successive inter-provincial clashes with Leinster, Munster and Connacht.

"I had that surgery on my ankle there a while ago. I'm starting to feel my body out a wee bit more and things are starting to look up a bit, which is positive," Stewart told BBC Sport NI.

"Getting a good run of games in a bit of time is nice too, getting the flow and feel for rugby. I feel like I'm starting to get into a bit of a groove of things.

"We're getting a run of games there, which is quite nice. Finding a bit of form, coming into Europe and stuff like that is good. We're looking forward to getting this week and then getting a run at the inter-pros."

Cardiff may have lost their European opener 38-17 at Stade Francais, but they have won five of their opening six United Rugby Championship games.

"I suppose you look at them in the other competition in the league (URC), they're doing really well. Especially at home, they're turning that place into a bit of a fortress, it's a hard place to go.

"They have a lot of good international players. It will be a challenge, but one we're really looking forward to," Stewart continued.

"Coming off the back of Europe and then coming home, they'll obviously be looking for that big emotional drive.

"Getting back into their stadium will be massive for them. Cardiff Arms is a great place to play rugby and the crowd really get behind them. They'll be looking to finish off this block with a good win."

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has urged his side to "keep our foot on the pedal" after emerging from the autumn break with a couple of thumping home wins.

After a month without a game, Ulster returned to action with a 47-13 win over Benetton in the United Rugby Championship before opening their Challenge Cup campaign with 61-7 demolition of an understrength Racing 92.

But with a Challenge Cup fixture away to Cardiff on Saturday (20:00 GMT) followed by three successive inter-provincial derbies against Leinster, Connacht and Munster, Murphy says his players cannot afford to lose momentum over a demanding festive period.

"We're coming off the back of a couple of good wins. The boys are playing some really good rugby. [We're in a] very positive place," said Murphy.

"We just have to make sure we keep our foot on the pedal and not lose sight of the thing that have made us good over the last few weeks."

Ulster led Racing 14-7 at half-time but hit 47 unanswered points after the break in an impressive nine-try display.

While Murphy was pleased with his side's appetite for tries, he says attention this week has centred on areas in which the team can improve.

"We reassessed and met the players on Monday morning, had a good review and looked at a few areas where we can definitely do better," he added.

"They've been the focus point this week and Cardiff are a different challenge, so we've got to move on quickly."

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Murphy has also been buoyed by the manner in which the squad's younger players have acquitted themselves recently.

Charlie Irvine, 22, played 80 minutes in the second row against Racing, a couple of 21-year-olds in Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward came off the bench while Murphy's son Jack - also 21 - has started every game this season at fly-half.

"The confidence that's in the team at the moment is fantastic," he said.

"Joe Hopes coming off the bench, Charlie Irvine starting, both 21 or 22 years of age. Jack at 10, Bryn coming on into the back row, Juarno [Augustus] isn't exactly an old man at 26 and Belly [Angus Bell] is 24.

"It's a young squad, it's exciting, our goal is to play the brand of rugby that we're playing.

"As long as we can stick to that and work really hard together and improve week on week, we'll be a very hard team to beat."

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Rob Herring is an injury doubt for Ulster's European Challenge Cup trip to face Cardiff on Saturday [20:00 GMT].

The 35-year-old hooker suffered a knee injury in the first half of the 61-7 victory over Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium.

Herring scored Ulster's go-ahead try late in the first half, but was replaced at the break by Tom Stewart and will have an MRI scan to determine the severity of the injury.

In better news for Richie Murphy's side, Cormac Izuchukwu is back in full training and in contention to feature after his recovery from a foot injury picked up in the United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls in early October.

The 25-year-old forward's progress had been monitored in recent weeks, but is now set to make his return for the trip to Cardiff Arms Park.

Ben Carson, Lorcan McLoughlin and Sean Reffell are also back in full training and the trio are all in contention for game-time this weekend.

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Ulster back row David McCann believes the province will be "hard to deal with" if they can achieve greater consistency across games.

Richie Murphy's side have made a strong start to the season, winning five of their first six games of the 2025-26 campaign in all competitions.

They registered a thumping 61-7 win over Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup on Friday night, but seven of their nine tries came after half-time and they carried just a 14-7 lead into the turn.

McCann believes small alterations made a "massive difference" as the game progressed.

"I actually don't think we were that bad. We were just maybe half a second off," he said of the first-half showing.

"But we switched that up, showed ball focus, early to the breakdown, winning all the scraps, and you saw how that just allows us to play our game.

"When we attack like that, we're hard to deal with. I think if we can start to pair that together with 80-minute performances like that, we're going to be hard to deal with."

After a break for the November Test window, Ulster have won the first two contests of a run of 10 games in 10 weeks.

With a trip to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup to come on Saturday (20:00 GMT), followed by three interprovincial derbies in the United Rugby Championship, Ulster have found form in a key period of the season.

"I think momentum's huge but [there is a] general belief in what we're doing," added McCann.

"When we defend well, we get the ball back, and then when we get the ball back, I think everyone knows what our attack looks like now.

"So it's that belief that's huge at the moment. There's obviously some big games coming up, so it'll be good to see how we go."