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No sign of called-up Ireland star as Ulster name team for Cardiff

Ulster players, including John Cooney, centre, before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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.

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    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.

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    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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    S
    Soliloquin 1 hour ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    236 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 1 hour ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    236 Go to comments
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