After a disappointing Challenge Cup final against Montpellier over 100 days ago, Ulster Rugby is set to kick off their pre-season campaign with a match against Edinburgh on Friday evening at 19:45 BST in the Scottish capital.
This summer has seen significant changes within the Ulster camp, and head coach Richie Murphy's selection for the upcoming fixture reflects this transformation. The squad features a number of young players, highlighting a commitment to nurturing talent as they prepare for the new season.
Among the new faces are Jamie Benson and Matthew Devine, who will take on the roles of fly-half and scrum-half, respectively. Benson joins Ulster from Harlequins, while Devine, who previously played for Connacht, was instrumental in Ireland's Under-20 Grand Slam victory in 2022, serving as Murphy's starting nine during that campaign.
Further bolstering the backline, Daniel Hawkshaw, another product of Murphy's Under-20 team from four years ago, will start at inside centre. Chay Mullins, making his debut on the right wing after transferring from Connacht, is also expected to make an impact. Aitzol Arenzana-King, who scored on his senior debut against Munster in April, will line up on the left wing, while the experienced Mike Lowry will captain the side from full-back.
Ulster's off-season strategy focused heavily on strengthening their forward pack. New signings Eduardo Bello and Martin Moloney have joined the squad, and hooker Henry Walker has been promoted from the academy. All three will be available from the bench on Friday, alongside academy prop Flynn Longstaff and new additions Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell, who are expected to enhance the scrum's depth.
Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, emphasized the importance of a robust set-piece in their game plan. "We’re looking to see that we go really hard after our set-piece. If you want to be competitive at this level, you have to have a strong set-piece. We know from last season that our attacking game is strong, so we want to ensure we can provide as perfect a ball as we can to let that backline play," Best stated.
Defensively, Best noted the need for players who can disrupt the opposition's rhythm. "We want to bring in abrasive people who are going to make an impact, slow the ball down for the opposition and speed it up for us. There are going to be some new additions, mostly up front, and hopefully the fans will come out and see a continuation of the evolution we saw last year," he added.
Despite the absence of several key players who are currently with the Ireland squad or sidelined due to injuries, including Iain Henderson and Bryn Ward, Ulster fans will be eager to see James McNabney return to action after missing the entire 2025-26 season due to knee and ankle injuries.
Ulster will be looking to build on their recent success against Edinburgh, having secured a 40-19 victory at Hive Stadium in March. The two teams are set to meet again in the United Rugby Championship opener in Belfast on September 25, following Ulster's second pre-season match at home against Ospreys on September 13.
Ulster's Starting Lineup: Mike Lowry (capt); Chay Mullins, Ben Carson, Daniel Hawkshaw, Aitzol Arenzana-King; Jamie Benson, Matthew Devine; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom McAllister, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, David McCann.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Jed Findlay, Jack Murphy.
Leave a Comment