Ulster

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Next five fixtures: Benetton (H), Racing 92 (H, Challenge Cup), Cardiff (A, Challenge Cup), Leinster (A), Connacht (A)

Having opened their season with three straight wins, Ulster's bubble was burst before the break by the Lions, who won 49-31 at Ellis Park to give Richie Murphy plenty to ponder during the November break.

Ulster return to action against Benetton on Friday (19:45 GMT) - their first home game since 11 October - with a lengthy injury list.

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey is out with a groin injury, joining Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee) on the sidelines.

Ben Carson and in-form full-back Michael Lowry will also miss the match against Benetton, who beat Ulster 34-19 in Treviso last season.

Like Leinster, Ulster are hoping to be boosted by a high-profile southern hemisphere arrival in the form of Angus Bell.

The 25-year-old Australia prop has arrived in Belfast after joining Ulster until the end of the season, but he will not feature against Benetton on Friday.

While the Wallabies struggled in November, Bell was one of their standout performers, scoring tries against Italy and France.

A victory over Benetton would keep Ulster in the upper echelons of the URC standings and give them a well-timed spring in their step before a mouthwatering Challenge Cup opener against Racing, who lost 31-15 on their last visit to Belfast in December 2023.

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Ulster back row Nick Timoney says Richie Murphy's team will aim to put on a good performance for their home supporters in their first game in Belfast for seven weeks on Friday night.

The Irish province host Italian side Benetton in a United Rugby Championship encounter at the Affidea Stadium as they return to action after a five-week hiatus for the autumn international series of matches.

Ulster, who lie fifth in the URC table, defeated the Bulls 28-7 in their last home outing on 11 October but signed off for their period of inaction with a 49-31 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg two weeks later.

"Benetton are a really good team now. They're very physical and have loads of dangerous backs," Timoney told BBC Sport NI.

"They're well coached, it seems they have a massive squad and it's hard to know exactly who is going to play.

"It's going to be a really tough challenge but we always back ourselves on our home ground and we're looking forward to putting on a good performance for the crowd."

Timoney is one of three Ireland internationals who will return for the game, along with Springbok Juarno Augustus.

The Italian side are five positions and seven points worse off than their opponents on Friday night after winning two and losing three of their first five fixtures of the campaign.

"We lost away to them last season and they'll be coming here fired up, so we have to be ready for them," cautioned Timoney.

"We had a good start to the season. Obviously the last one [the defeat by the Lions] was a tough one - we had a few injuries and the conditions we maybe didn't handle quite as well - but if we win here it puts us in a good position in the league and hopefully good momentum heading into a big bloc of games."

The 30-year-old was part of the Ireland squad for the recent international series. including scoring the second try in the 41-10 win over Japan, and believes that the experience has a positive impact.

"Playing and training at a very high level makes you feel great coming back in.

"A lot of the Benetton lads will be in the same boat [having been part of the Italy squad]. I feel really good and excited to get back going."

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Three of Ulster's Ireland internationals have been named to start Friday's United Rugby Championship encounter against Benetton in Belfast (19:45 GMT).

While centre Stuart McCloskey is ruled out with a groin injury, Iain Henderson returns to captain Ulster from the second row, with Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale also recalled.

Having been deployed on the left wing on his last appearance for Ulster, Stockdale reverts to full-back, where he played in the win over the Bulls last month.

Fit-again Juarno Augustus starts at number eight after recovering from an arm injury, but Cormac Izuchukwu has not been included despite returning to training following a foot issue.

Tom Stewart, who captained an Ireland XV to a win over Spain earlier this month, starts at hooker with Sam Crean and Scott Wilson completing the front row.

Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak are again paired at half-back, with replacement scrum-half Dave Shanahan set to make his 100th appearance for the province off the bench.

An experienced bench also includes Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Stewart Moore, who was recalled from his loan at Newcastle Red Bulls earlier this week.

Back row Bryn Ward, who made his debut against the Lions in Johannesburg last month, is also among the replacements, but there is no place in the squad for his older brother Zac, who has started three URC games this season.

Ulster boss Richie Murphy is currently without Ben Carson, Michael Lowry, Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee).

Australia prop Angus Bell, who has joined until the end of the season, was not considered for selection this week.

Fifth-placed Ulster have three wins and a defeat from four games this season. Benetton sit 10th with two wins and three defeats. The Italian side won last season's meeting 34-19 in Treviso.

Ulster: Stockdale; Baloucoune, Hume, Postlethwaite, Kok; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Stewart, Wilson, Henderson (capt), McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Herring, Reid, O'Toole, Dalton, Ward, Shanahan, Flannery, Moore.

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Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney are all available for Ulster's return to United Rugby Championship action on Friday against Benetton at Affidea Stadium (19:45 GMT).

The trio reported back for club duty at the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series this week as Richie Murphy's men seek to get back to winning ways following their 49-31 defeat by the Lions in South Africa in late October.

There is further good news on the injury front as Juarno Augustus and Cormac Izuchukwu are back in training with their progress to be monitored this week.

Augustus suffered an arm injury in the 34-26 win over the Lions in the first leg of Ulster's South Africa tour last month and missed out on the Lions game.

Izuchukwu sustained a foot injury in Ulster's last home game in the URC - a 28-7 win over the Bulls - and missed out on the trip to South Africa plus Ireland's November internationals, but could return this week.

That news is tempered by confirmation that Ben Carson and Michael Lowry will miss out this week with Carson sustaining a hamstring injury in Ulster A's victory over the Connacht Eagles last Friday, while Lowry suffered an ankle in jury in the Ireland XV win against Spain three weeks ago.

Stuart McCloskey is also out due to the groin injury picked up in Ireland's win over Australia, joining Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee) on the sidelines.

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Centre Stewart Moore has been recalled from his loan to Newcastle Red Bulls by Ulster "due to recent injuries" in their senior squad.

The 26-year-old moved to the Prem club just 19 days ago and scored a hat-trick on his debut against Northampton Saints in the Prem Rugby Cup.

He had been due to start Newcastle's game against Saracens on Saturday.

In a statement, Ulster said that they had activated a recall clause to "ensure appropriate cover in key positions" and would provide a further update this week.

Stuart McCloskey has had his injury woes with Ireland this autumn, suffering a groin injury against New Zealand at the start of November and then going off injured against Australia with a recurrence of the same injury.

The Irish province sit fifth in the United Rugby Championship table after an impressive start to the season with three wins from their opening four games.

They return to action on Friday against Benetton (20:00 GMT) as the URC resumes following the autumn internationals.

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On this week's Ireland Rugby Social, Gavin and Conor are joined by Ulster's Rob Herring.

The 35-year-old has represented Ireland 43 times and last played in green in 2024 against South Africa.

Born in Cape Town, Herring speaks about his move from South Africa to Ireland and he settled in Belfast after moving to Ulster in 2012.

In a wide-ranging podcast, the trio discuss Herring's career with Ireland, his first impressions of Andy Farrell and how much confidence he has for this season with Ulster.

Listen to the Ireland Rugby Social with Rob Herring on BBC Sounds right now.

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Prop Scott Wilson and centre Jude Postlethwaite have signed new contracts with United Rugby Championship side Ulster.

Postlethwaite, 23, has agreed a new deal until 2029, while Wilson has signed on until 2028.

Both players featured on the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa in 2024 and in an Ireland XV game against Spain in November.

Postlethwaite, who scored six tries in 18 appearances for Ulster last season, said he was "very pleased" to sign a new deal.

"I'm really enjoying playing in this team and feel we are starting to show signs of a really exciting team going forward.

"It's something that I'm excited to be a part of and there is strong competition in the squad, which will only make me a better player."

Wilson, who made his senior debut against Munster in 2023 and played 19 times last season, said it was a "huge honour" to represent his home province.

"Ulster is a special club with incredible supporters, and I'm excited to keep developing my game under the coaching team," said the 23-year-old.

"I want to continue pushing for selection, challenge myself to improve in every area, and contribute as much as I can to the team's success."

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, who coached both players of Ireland's Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam winners in 2022, said he was "excited" to see their development.

"Jude is an exciting young centre with a plenty of potential and room for growth. His ability to play both 12 & 13 showcases his versatility," Murphy said.

"He is a very strong, athletic ball carrier with a good offloading game, making him one to keep an eye on going forward.

"Scottie is a dynamic young prop and with time and application, can develop into a top-class tighthead prop. He has great ball carrying skills and the ability to do things other props struggle to do."

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Nick Timoney says "a more measured approach" has improved his performances for Ulster and Ireland.

Timoney scored Ireland's second try in the 41-10 win over Japan in Dublin on Saturday.

Despite a number of standout performances for Ulster, Timoney has only won five caps since making his debut in 2021 with Ireland's depth in the back row.

"I'm a bit more settled and a bit more mature," said Timoney when asked how he has changed since his first call-up into an Ireland squad.

"If you asked Andy [Farrell, Ireland's head coach] and he answered honestly, he would probably say I was a bit desperate for it all when I first came in.

"Not that I'm not as enthusiastic as ever but I have a more measured approach to it now.

"I hope I am a better and most consistent player because of that."

Ireland held a 17-10 lead against Japan at half-time, but Eddie Jones' side were the more impressive team in the opening 40 minutes.

However, Ireland rallied and raced clear in the closing stages of the game as Japan started to tire.

"There were elements of the first half that didn't go entirely to plan," Timoney added.

"But our ability to maintain composure and finish the game quite strongly was quite pleasing.

"I enjoyed myself. I felt lucky to be back in a green jersey and I was determined to enjoy it as best I could."

With further Tests against Australia and South Africa to come, the 30-year-old said it would be "amazing" if he could add further caps in November.

"I would love it so much but who knows?" he said.

"I've made a commitment not to be too hung up on selections and stuff, but I'm sure if I'm hopefully here next Saturday I would be incredibly excited and honoured to be involved.

"But we'll have to see how that goes."

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Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey says his first game against the All Blacks was "right up there" in terms of experiences in his career despite defeat.

The 33-year-old Ulster player impressed in his 55 minutes on the pitch in Chicago before he was forced off with a groin problem.

Andy Farrell's side went on to lose 26-13 and while disappointed that New Zealand inflicted a third successive defeat on Ireland, McCloskey was content with his individual display.

"I've played some big games over the years but that's right up there, probably up there with the one against France in the Six Nations a couple of years ago," he said.

"I thought it went alright, I had some good impacts on the game, I wish a couple of the offloads had stuck and the lads had run them in but overall, I was very happy with how the 55 minutes went."

McCloskey was a surprise inclusion in midfield ahead of Bundee Aki, but was rewarded for a good start to the campaign with Ulster with his third successive start for Ireland.

While he said it was "hard to know" how severe the groin injury is, McCloskey is hoping to be involved in home Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

The centre wants to add to his 22 caps for Ireland after being forced to bide his time for opportunities in recent years.

"I'd love to get back out there, if not next week, then the week after and put another foot down," he added.

"There's another two guys in there, two Lions, waiting to go as well, it's very competitive, you don't want to give up the spot without a bit of a fight.

"I had to say to myself maybe six or seven years ago to be patient and stick at it. I've just tried to stay in there and play good rugby for Ulster and try to put the pressure on the lads ahead of me to be the best they could be.

"Hopefully this injury isn't too bad and I get a few more games."

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy lamented his side's error count as their impressive start to the United Rugby Championship season was halted by the Lions at Ellis Park.

The Irish province went into the Johannesburg contest chasing a fourth straight win, and while an inspired Rob Baloucoune helped keep those hopes alive, the Lions scored seven tries to win 49-31.

In addition to Baloucoune's brilliant treble, James Hume and David McCann scores secured a try bonus point for Ulster, but Murphy was disappointed by his side's mistake-laden display at altitude.

"It's a difficult one to take in the end, we're in that game for 55, 60 minutes and let it get away from us in the end," said Murphy.

"Over the course of the game, our error count was probably too high and we just invited the Lions into the game.

"Scrum dominance from them put us under a lot of pressure, but it's a massive effort from the players in a very tough situation, 28 or 29 degrees at altitude, it's not an easy place to be."

On Baloucoune's hat-trick, Murphy added: "Incredible. We have an embarrassment of riches in the back three. Zac [Ward] has been on fire, Werner [Kok] has been really good and Mikey [Lowry]'s flying.

"Having Rob back is fantastic. He got through another full game, which is exciting for us, and long may that fitness level continue."

Juarno Augustus' late withdrawal elevated debutant Bryn Ward into the starting back row, while lock Joe Hopes made his first start.

"I thought both guys put in a big shift. There's going to be little thing there that we'll review and give them some feedback. It's good to see them both come through the game and contribute so much."

Following last week's bonus-point win over the Sharks in Durban, Ulster leave South Africa with six points from two games.

"You're never satisfied when you've lost a game that was in the balance at 60 minutes. Six points is a decent return, but we're still hurting today.

"It's really important when we get back into Belfast against Benetton in a few weeks that we flick the switch and get back to winning ways."

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Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite is determined to push himself into the mix for an Ireland call-up after getting a taste of the Test environment over the summer.

Having previously been involved with Emerging Ireland, Postlethwaite was a training panellist for Ireland's tour to Georgia and Portugal.

The 23-year-old has also been named in the Ireland XV squad for next month's game against Spain and is hoping to use this season as a springboard after scoring six tries in 18 appearances for Ulster last term.

"Training with the players there was really important for me, just to see what the standard is," Postlethwaite said of his Ireland experience over the summer.

"Also working with the coaches to see what it is I need to do to improve when I get my chances to start or come off the bench, like what I need to do to prove to them that I'm capable of playing and getting the cap, but it was really good."

He added: "There's a lot of younger centres coming through that are really good and I've played with a lot of them so it'll be good competition once we all start getting gametime. It's like who can perform and it'll keep me on my toes, but it's a really exciting season ahead."

After being sprung from the bench in Ulster's wins over the Bulls and Sharks, Postlethwaite will make his first start of the season in Saturday's game against the Lions at Ellis Park (12:45 BST).

And after a deeply disappointing 2024-25 campaign that ended without Investec Champions Cup qualification, Postlethwaite says he senses an uptick in "belief and desire" in the Ulster squad as they target a fourth successive United Rugby Championship win.

"I feel like this has been building since pre-season," added the former RBAI pupil, who won a Six Nations Under-20 Grand Slam with Ireland in 2022.

"Our pre-season was really tough. Mark [Sexton] coming in [as attack coach] fought hard for that belief. He's obviously a really good coach and put the foundations in place for our attack.

"I feel like I know what we can do in training and when it comes off, you can tell in the games, it's hard for teams to defend."

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Joe Hopes will make his first Ulster start after being named in the second row for Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Lions at Ellis Park (12:45 BST).

With Iain Henderson on Ireland duty, 21-year-old lock Hopes comes in to partner Harry Sheridan after making his second Ulster appearance off the bench in last week's bonus-point win over the Sharks in Durban.

Hooker Rob Herring captains the side on his return to the line-up, with Tom Stewart switching to open-side flanker to replace Ireland's Nick Timoney after filling in as a back-row forward in the second half of the Sharks game.

Sean Reffell was ruled out earlier this week, but Juarno Augustus has been passed fit to start at number eight after being forced off with an arm injury in Durban.

In the backline, Zac Ward and Jude Postlethwaite replace Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey, both of whom are with Ireland, while Rob Baloucoune comes in for Werner Kok on the right wing.

Bryn Ward - Zac's younger brother - is in line to make his debut after being named on the bench.

The 21-year-old back row, who has been capped by Ireland at under-20 level, travelled out to South Africa to link up with the Ulster squad earlier this week.

Ulster are targeting a fourth successive win to start the URC season after picking up a maximum 15 points from their first three outings. Saturday's fixture in Johannesburg is the province's last match until 28 November because of the autumn break.

Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Hume, Postlethwaite, Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Herring (capt), O'Toole, Sheridan, Hopes, McCann, Stewart, Augustus.

Replacements: McCormick, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, Kok.

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Ulster hooker Tom Stewart will captain an Ireland XV against Spain in Leganes on Saturday, 8 November.

Stewart will lead a 28-strong panel which consists of test-capped Ireland players, in-form provincial players and emerging talent.

The 24-year-old is one of nine players who have appeared for Ireland's senior team alongside Tom O'Toole, Michael Milne, Darragh Murray, Robert Baloucoune, Shayne Bolton, Harry Byrne, Michael Lowry and Ben Murphy.

Scott Wilson, David McCann, Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlehwaite and former Ireland sevens star Zac Ward join Stewart, O'Toole, Baloucoune and Lowry in a 10-strong Ulster contingent for the game against Spain, who came second in the Europe International Championship behind Georgia.

Cullie Tucker, who was part of Ireland's summer coaching team in Georgia and Portugal, will be head coach for the game in Spain, which takes place after Andy Farrell's senior team host Japan in Dublin at 12:30 GMT.

Ireland XV Squad

Forwards: Lee Barron (Munster), James Culhane (Leinster), Sam Illo (Connacht), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Diarmuid Mangan (Leinster), David McCann (Ulster), John McKee (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Evan O'Connell (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Ruadhan Quinn (Munster), Alex Soroka (Leinster), Tom Stewart - captain (Ulster), Alex Usanov (Leinster), Scott Wilson (Ulster)

Backs: Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Cathal Forde (Connacht), Fintan Gunne (Leinster), Dan Kelly (Munster), Michael Lowry (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Jack Murphy (Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster), Zac Ward (Ulster).