Irish Rugby

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Ulster boss Richie Murphy has made four changes for the province's final game of the season away to Edinburgh on Friday evening (19:35 BST).

Kieran Treadwell returns to the second row for his final Ulster appearance. Andy Warwick, who is retained in the front row, will also line out for his farewell game.

Treadwell is set to return to Harlequins after nine years at Ulster while 34-year-old Warwick is set for his swansong 11 years on from his debut.

Warwick and Treadwell, who have made a combined 389 Ulster appearances, are two of eight players leaving the club this summer.

Ireland prop Tom O'Toole returns at tight-head prop, replacing Scott Wilson, while David McCann is recalled in the back row. Cormac Izuchukwu shifts from lock to the back row as Matty Rea and James McNabney drop out.

There is one change to the backline that started last week's defeat by Munster as Werner Kok starts on the right wing, replacing Robert Baloucoune.

Last week's 38-20 reverse at Thomond Park ended Ulster's hopes of securing a United Rugby Championship play-off spot and qualifying for next season's Champions Cup.

Edinburgh, however, can still finish in the top eight. They are currently 10th, two points off the top eight.

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole; Treadwell, Henderson (capt); Izuchukwu, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Wilson, Sheridan, McNabney, Shanahan, Morgan, Moore.

Listen to Edinburgh v Ulster live on the BBC Sport website from 19:15 BST on Friday, 16 May

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Nathan Doak says Ulster's players are "devastated" after missing out on the United Rugby Championship play-offs and a place in next season's Investec Champions Cup.

Ulster's hopes of securing a URC play-off spot were ended by last Friday's defeat by Munster at Thomond Park as the Irish province also dropped to the second-tier Challenge Cup competition in Europe for next season.

"There is a lot of hurt in the camp but we know we've got to turn up this week," said scrum-half Doak, 23, who was speaking after the team resumed training for Friday's away contest against a 10th-placed Edinburgh side who need a victory to maintain their play-off hopes.

Doak said that skipper Iain Henderson urged the squad on Tuesday to deliver a performance for the group of Ulster players departing the club at the end of this campaign.

Ireland internationals John Cooney and Kieran Treadwell are among those exiting the Irish province along with Alan O'Connor, Andy Warwick, Matty Rea, Reuben Crothers, Corrie Barrett and Michael McDonald.

"Hendy actually asked us all what it meant to play this week," added Doak.

"There are guys that are leaving who mean an awful lot to us so there is a lot for us to play in terms of personal pride. There is definitely full focus on trying to go over there and win and make it a last special appearance for the boys that are leaving."

Doak added that his fellow scrum-half Cooney had spoken to him at Tuesday's training session.

"He came up to me today and said 'this is our final week together' which is probably the first time it hit me that we'll not be having him running round the place [any more].

"He's a great friend and he'll be sorely missed not just by me but by everyone round here."

Despite a hugely disappointing campaign, Doak appealed to Ulster's fans to continue to back the team.

"We'll be back. I've no doubt about that," he said.

"We'll work as hard as we can to make sure that next year we're not in this position and that we get some play-off rugby again."

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Ulster have signed former England Under-20s prop Sam Crean and Leinster tight-head Rory McGuire.

Twenty-four-year-old Crean, who can also cover the hooker position, joins Ulster from Saracens after having played twice for the Irish province during a short-term loan this season.

McGuire, 22, has made eight senior appearances for Leinster after coming through their academy programme.

The 6ft 4in McGuire played for Ireland's Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam-winning squad in 2022 when Ulster coach Richie Murphy was in charge of the team.

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham described the duo as "talented props at good age profiles".

"Richie knows him [McGuire] well from Ireland U20s and we think he is an exciting prospect who is eager to kick on under Jimmy Duffy," added Cunningham.

"Sam, after a brief stint earlier this season on loan during which he really impressed the coaches, can hopefully hit the ground running and really challenge both Eric [O'Sullivan] and Callum [Reid] for the number one jersey."

Props Andy Warwick and Corrie Barrett are among eight players who will leave the Irish province at the end of this season, with the other departures being Ireland internationals John Cooney and Kieran Treadwell plus Alan O'Connor, Mattie Rea, Reuben Crothers and Michael McDonald.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his side is resigned to playing in the second tier of European rugby next year after their 38-20 defeat to Munster on Friday.

For the second week in succession, Ulster failed to register a score in the second half - leaving them five points off the play-offs with one game left to play.

A top eight finish in the United Rugby Championship would not only guarantee a spot in the post-season play-offs but also a coveted place in the Champions Cup.

"I think over the last couple of weeks, although we haven't got the results that we wanted, this will stand to us in the long run and it means probably playing [in the] Challenge Cup next year so that's where we're at," Murphy said after the defeat.

"We'll learn from it and we'll dust ourselves off, go to Edinburgh next week and try and finish on a high but at this moment of time it's massively disappointing for us."

With captain Iain Henderson and wing Robert Baloucoune back in the starting side, Ulster had opened brightly with an early try from Stuart McCloskey and went in at the break four points behind their hosts.

But the intensity of the opening half fell away as Munster took control of proceedings to see out a win that leaves hopes of a play-off place for them in their own hands.

"We didn't look after the ball well enough - probably didn't look after ball well enough all day - and around some breakdown areas as well, so it's disappointing for us," Murphy continued.

"When we were four points behind, we had a couple of opportunities where we're just forcing passes and balls are on the ground. Munster in Thormond Park have lived off that for years, so you can't give them those opportunities."

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Ulster forward Nick Timoney says the province are "embracing" the pressure of the United Rugby Championship's tight play-off picture.

Richie Murphy's side face Munster in Thomond Park on Friday night (19.35 BST) with the Irish rivals both in need of points in their efforts to make the all-important top eight.

Ulster go into what is the penultimate round of the URC in 12th place, three points off the play-off spots, with Munster in ninth but level on points with Benetton directly above them.

"We need it to keep our season going and I think their situation is pretty similar," said Timoney.

"It's the business end of the season, if you lose, it's a failure. There's no redemption after this one, if we don't win, we're not making the play-offs.

"That comes with a lot of pressure and a lot of weight, but that's why you play the game, that's why you play for a big club like us. We're embracing it and looking forward to it."

'We still have the players to go and win big games'

Perhaps more important than a place in the play-offs, finishing in the top eight would also bring with it a spot in next season's Champions Cup.

Timoney said it is "massive" for Ulster to be playing in Europe's premier competition, something they have done every year since its formation in 1995.

"It should be the pinnacle games through each season and it's where this club belongs, 100%," he added.

"We've been more talking about performances and getting results, but in the back of my head, and I'm sure everyone else's, is that is absolutely where we want to be next year."

Ulster are able to recall Irish internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Baloucoune for the trip to Limerick with Richie Murphy saying this week his squad might be the strongest it has been since he took over the job in March last year.

Throughout this season key players have missed plenty of games through injury while inexperienced players have had to fill the void.

Timoney, however, does not see that as the reason for the side's inconsistent campaign.

"I don't really like to use that as an excuse because when you look at our squad we still have the players to go and win big games," he said.

"At times this year we've had injury problems, but I'd be reluctant to use that as too much of an excuse because if you have that mindset you're giving yourself an out.

"We've no excuses really and we're certainly not taking any into this week."

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British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell said that Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is "devastated" to miss out on selection for the tour to Australia because of injury.

Doris, who was also regarded a strong contender for the Lions captaincy, suffered a shoulder injury in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final defeat by Northampton last weekend and has undergone surgery.

Farrell said that he had spoken to Doris, adding that the flanker "would have definitely been in the mix being such an experienced player and leader".

"It's devastating for people like that but there's always a constant in every single tour [that injured players miss out]," said the Lions coach, who named Doris as Ireland skipper for the first time during the 2024 Six Nations and handed him the captaincy on a permanent basis last October.

"Sport can be cruel sometimes. Caelan will be back bigger and stronger."

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Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite says it is "so important" that Ulster are playing Champions Cup rugby next season.

The 1999 European Cup winners have played in every edition of the competition since its launch in 1995 but are in danger of missing out for 2025-26.

Richie Murphy's side are 12th in the United Rugby Championship with two games remaining and only the top eight will qualify.

They will face Munster at Thomond Park on Friday with their fellow province also in need of a result to boost their own play-off push.

"It's so important, that's where we want to be," said Postlethwaite of Champions Cup qualification.

"That's where we've been the last number of years.

"I just think it's important for the whole club and community that we're playing in Europe."

After Munster, Ulster will finish their regular season with a trip to Edinburgh on 16 May.

"These last two games are very important," Postlethwaite added.

"We're all very motivated to play our style of rugby and we feel like we're going to back that and hopefully get two big performances to finish the season.

"Interpros are always so physical and they're going to be up for it. We're really looking forward to it and hopefully we put in a performance."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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British and Irish Lions legend Willie John McBride feels the summer's tour of Australia will be "tougher than people expect".

Coach Andy Farrell will name his squad for the tour of Australia later on Thursday with England's Maro Itoje expected to be named as captain.

After slipping down the world rankings, Australia have improved under Joe Schmidt ahead of the three Test matches with the Lions.

"It's not an easy one," said McBride, who captained the Lions' famous 'invincibles' tour of South Africa in 1974.

"Joe Schmidt is there and he has been rebuilding the Australian team."

McBride added that the Lions will travel Down Under as "favourites", but that tag does not have any value unless it is backed up on the pitch.

The five-time Lions tourist added that Farrell "has done a superb job" with Ireland and backed him to replicate that in Australia.

"To go to the other side of the world and sort out a team is quite a job in the short distance that they have," the 84-year-old said.

"Andy Farrell has done a superb job for Ireland. He has done it with his feet on the ground and done it calmly.

"He has built up a terrific squad and I think he will do the same thing for the Lions."

McBride feels that Farrell, who has won two Six Nations titles with Ireland, is a strong "figurehead" to lead the tour.

"He has a good eye for the game and I think he'll develop this team," McBride added.

"He has had time to look at what players he has and see what type of game he wants to play.

"He has a good coaching team as well. Along with the captain and the rest of the coaches, he pulls it all together."

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Munster forward Dave Kilcoyne has confirmed he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old won 56 caps from Ireland and helped them to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

Kilcoyne is one of only 15 players to have made over 200 appearances for Munster, but he has struggled with injuries over the last two years and played his final match for the Irish province against Ulster in December 2024.

"Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland," Kilcoyne said.

"To have done so for so long has been a dream come true.

"The last two years haven't gone as planned with surgeries to my shoulder and Achilles. In a way, it's easier that the decision to play on has been taken away from me.

"I take great pride in knowing that I always gave everything I had and left nothing on the pitch. It's almost a fitting way for me to finish up."

Kilcoyne represented Ireland at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups as well as winning the United Rugby Championship with Munster in 2023.

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Ulster captain Iain Henderson has returned to training before Friday's crucial United Rugby Championship game against Munster at Thomond Park.

The experienced second row has been out of action with a hamstring issue since Ireland's Six Nations win over England on 1 February.

Sean Reffell, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume and Eric O'Sullivan have also resumed training and will be "monitored throughout the week", Ulster said in a squad update.

Michael Lowry (concussion and neck injury) and Stewart Moore (concussion) are fit after being injured in the URC loss to Leinster on 19 April, while prop Tom O'Toole is available again after missing the defeat by the Sharks because of a family bereavement.

Jake Flannery (knee), John Cooney (ankle), Ben Carson (back), Ethan McIlroy (knee), and Ben Moxham (knee) are still sidelined for the game (19:35 BST).

Ulster are 12th and three points off the top eight as they chase a spot in the end-of-season play-offs and next season's Champions Cup.

After facing ninth-placed Munster in Limerick on Friday, Richie Murphy's side travel to Edinburgh on 16 May.

On Monday, Munster welcomed a large group of players back to training, including recently retired Ireland internationals Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony.

Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Liam Coombes, John Hodnett, Oli Jager and Josh Wycherley are also available for interim boss Ian Costello.

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Ireland wing Mack Hansen will miss Connacht's final two United Rugby Championship games because of an ankle injury.

In a squad update issued on Tuesday, Connacht ruled out the Australia-born 27-year-old for "approximately five weeks".

Hansen is hoping to be included in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad when it is unveiled on Thursday.

He has scored 12 tries in 28 caps for Ireland since being handed his debut by Farrell in February 2022.

If selected, Hansen should have recovered in time for the Lions' pre-tour game against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June.

Another Lions hopeful in Bundee Aki is available again after missing Connacht's URC games in South Africa against the Stormers and Lions with a heel problem.

On Monday, Ireland captain Caelan Doris' Lions hopes were hit as Leinster announced he needs a shoulder operation.

Connacht host Edinburgh in the URC on Saturday evening (19:35 BST). Interim boss Cullie Tucker's side are 14th and have only slim hopes of reaching the end-of-season play-offs.