By Derek Foley
Copyright belfastlive
Iain Henderson will captain Ulster in their BKT United Rugby Championship opener against Dragons at Belfast’s Affidea Stadium this Friday. James Hume, the 27 year old centre, will be donning his Ulster jersey for the 100th time, while Jacob Stockdale makes a return following an injury he sustained during Ireland’s summer tour match against Georgia. “The team are hungry and very focused,” shares coach Richie Murphy ahead of Round One. “There is a good plan in place and we want to give our supporters something to cheer about.” The Ulster line-up includes Callum Reid as loosehead prop, Rob Herring as hooker, Tom O’Toole as tighthead prop, with Henderson and Harry Sheridan forming the second-row. In a formidable back row trio, Cormac Izuchukwu starts at blindside, Nick Timoney at openside, and David McCann wearing the no8 shirt. Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy form the half-back duo, inside an exciting backline featuring Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Hume and Zac Ward on the right-wing. Michael Lowry completes the backfield at full-back. Murphy has chosen a 5:3 split among the replacements, with South African back-rower Juarno Augustus poised for his Ulster debut after signing from Champions Cup finalists Northampton Saints this summer, reports the Irish Mirror . Sam Crean, the 25 year old prop, also finds a spot on the bench after making a permanent move from Saracens to the province this summer. Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson and Matthew Dalton join Crean and Augustus as the forward replacement options. Filo Tiatia, the Head Coach of Dragons RFC, has expressed his anticipation for the team’s trip to Belfast. He said: “We’re looking forward to going to Ulster, they’re a good side and they’ll be tough over there.” He added: “They have a heavy pack, they’ve certainly got some experience in the midfield, and they’ve got speed. We’re looking forward to the challenge.” He concluded by saying: “The players are excited, so are the coaches, no different to Ulster, they’ll be excited to play against us. It’s time to see where we are at.” Here is everything you need to know about the game: The game kick’s off at 8.15pm on Friday night The game takes place at Affidea Stadium in Belfast Yes, the game can be watched on Premier Sports. Ulster’s line-up includes Michael Lowry, Zac Ward, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (CAPT), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann. The replacements are Tom Stewart, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ben Carson. Dragons RFC’s team features Angus O’Brien (CC), Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams, Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (CC), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Aaron Wainwright. The substitutes are Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin, Che Hope, Fine Inisi, Huw Anderson. Ulster 1/14, draw 40/1, Dragons 9/1
