United Rugby Championship: Ulster's nine changes for Lions game as Henderson starts

Iain Henderson (left) and Dave Ewers (right) both earn starts after coming on against Munster while Stewart Moore (centre) switches to full-back because of Ethan McIlroy's absence

Ulster have made nine changes in personnel from the win over Munster for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against the Lions.

Iain Henderson will captain the side as he is named in a much-changed pack after coming on in last weekend's derby

Andy Warwick, Rob Herring and Scott Wilson form a totally altered front row as forwards Alan O'Connor, Dave Ewers and Reuben Crothers also come in.

Centre James Hume and fly-half Jake Flannery are drafted into the backs.

With Stewart Moore switching from centre to full-back after Ethan McIlroy sustained a facial fracture and concussion in last weekend's game, Hume is drafted into midfield alongside Stuart McCloskey with Flannery taking over from Billy Burns at fly-half.

Burns is named on a bench which includes Marty Moore, who is in line to make his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee injury in last season's New Year's Day contest against Munster.

Prop Wilson rewarded after impressive debut

Ulster Academy prop Wilson is rewarded with a front-row start after impressing hugely following his introduction as a replacement last weekend.

Wilson's selection along with Warwick and Ireland World Cup squad member Herring sees Eric O'Sullivan dropping to the bench, with Tom Stewart and Greg McGrath not included in Friday's matchday squad.

Henderson and O'Connor take over from Cormac Izuchukwu and Kieran Treadwell in the lock roles with Ewers and Crothers replacing Marcus Rea and Nick Timoney in the back row.

Crothers' debut against Connacht two weeks ago was ended prematurely by a knock.

David McCann is the only member of last weekend's starting pack to hold on to his starting role as he switches from flanker to number eight while the replacements include backs John Cooney, Billy Burns and Michael Lowry.

The Lions make two changes from last weekend's 24-23 win at Scarlets with Asenathi Ntlabakanye taking over from Ruan Dreyer in the front row and Willem Alberts replacing Ruan Delport at lock.

Stuart McCloskey made his return to Ulster duty against Munster last weekend

Ulster centre McCloskey made his first Ulster appearance since the World Cup last weekend and says he would have come back prior to that if he had been allowed.

"I asked to come back a week before [for the Connacht game] but they [the IRFU] try and look after us," McCloskey told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

"They just try to give us all a bit of a break. It's nice to get back eventually. I was just twiddling my thumbs for the last week off.

"I love playing here. I love playing the game in general. When I'm fit, I'd like to get out there and play.

"I probably won't be doing it for too many more years. I've probably three or four more years left in me so every opportunity I get, I'd like to get out and play the game."

'I maybe proved some of the doubters wrong'

While McCloskey admits he is unlikely to still be in the Ireland squad by the time the next World Cup comes around, the centre is hoping remain on Andy Farrell's radar "for another year or two" despite Bundee Aki's brilliant form in the number 12 jersey.

"When I finally got a good taste of playing a string of [Ireland] games together, it was amazing and a great experience over the last 15 months.

"I think I showed what I can do and maybe proved some of the doubters wrong. A lot of people said I couldn't do it so it was nice personally.

"Whether I will get back in there, I don't know, Bundee just got nominated for World player of the year."

In addition to his hopes of adding to his 15 Ireland caps, McCloskey's other big ambition is to finally win something with Ulster, who have not clinched a trophy since their then Celtic League triumph in 2006.

"I'd be very disappointed if I ended up retired in four or five years and we haven't won anything. We've had great opportunities in my time here but it's just converting them."

Ulster: Stewart Moore; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak; Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor, Iain Henderson (capt); Dave Ewers, Reuben Crothers, David McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Marty Moore, Harry Sheridan, Lorcan McLoughlin, John Cooney, Billy Burns, Michael Lowry.

Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (capt), Edwill van der Merwe; Sanele Nohamba, Morne van den Berg; Corne Fourie, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye; Ruben Schoeman, Willem Alberts; Hanru Sirgel, Emmanuel Tshituka, Francke Horn.

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Ruan Delport, Ruan Venter, JC Pretorius, Jordan Hendrikse, Rabz Maxwane.