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McGrath starts for Ulster as Hume racks up half century

Jack McGrath start for the first time this season
Jack McGrath start for the first time this season

Jack McGrath will make his first start of the season when Ulster take on Munster in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow.

The Ireland and Lions loosehead prop returned to action against Ospreys last month following a 13-month injury lay-off and has now been named to start at Thomond Park (7.35pm).

The 32-year-old is alongside hooker Rob Herring and tighthead Tom O'Toole.

Alan O'Connor captains the side from the second row where he partners Sam Carter.

South Africa's Duane Vermeulen is at number 8 with Greg Jones and Nick Timoney on the flanks.


Zebo back for Munster


John Cooney and Billy Burns, who both signed new contracts recently, are the half-backs, while James Hume makes his 50th appearance for the club at first centre.

Ben Moxham makes a seasonal starting debut at 13 and Ethan McIlroy, Craig Gilroy and Michael Lowry form the back three.

John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell and Marcus Rea provide the forward options on the bench, while Nathan Doak, Angus Curtis and Rob Lyttle are selected as the back line replacements.

Dan McFarland's side haven't played a URC match since the start of last month after two of their Christmas inter-pros were postponed due to outbreaks of Covid-19 in the camp.

The list of players unavailable for various reason for the clash in Limerick includes Brad Roberts, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jordi Murphy, Matty Rea, Ian Madigan, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Luke Marshall, Robert Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale and Will Addison.


Ulster: Mike Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Ethan McIlroy; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O’Connor (capt), Sam Carter; Greg Jones, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Angus Curtis, Rob Lyttle.

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Follow Munster v Ulster (Saturday 7.35pm) via our liveblog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.

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