Jacob Stockdale’s return should further sharpen Ulster’s cutting edge for Connacht derby
Ulster and Connacht meet in the first of the URC's dozen interprovincial derbies of 2022-23 season. Ulster have eight internationals in their starting XV, while Connachts have just nine players. Jacob Stockdale makes his first competitive appearance in almost a year. Jeff Toomaga-Allen is in line for his competitive debut off the bench. Ulster lost three interpro defeats last season, but they won three times. They lost only once in this competition last year, against Munster. Their first four games are at home. Leinster is due in a fortnight, before away games in South Africa and Limerick.
Gavin Thornbury is captain for Connacht. Tiernan O'Halloran, Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, John Porch, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle, Callum Reid, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jordi Murphy.
Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Oran McNulty are the replacements.
