Ulster

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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).

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Harry Sheridan has two objectives this week: help Ulster beat the Lions and catch the Traitors.

In between the two legs of Ulster's South African tour, the squad have been playing their own version of the popular BBC gameshow.

"We're in the deep end now, there's two traitors left out of 14 people and I'm still in," said Sheridan.

Sheridan insists he is a Faithful and reckons fly-half Jack Murphy and centre Stewart Moore are "definitely sus (suspicious)" when asked about the remaining Traitors.

Come Saturday, Sheridan's newfound calling as a tenacious Traitor-hunter will take a backseat when Ulster step out at Ellis Park to face the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (12:45 BST).

In the early stages of what proved a torturous 2024-25 season, Ulster lost both games in South Africa, conceding a combined 82 points against the Lions and Bulls.

This season has so far been a smoother ride with three bonus-point wins from three games. Now, having sunk the Sharks in Durban, they have the chance to do a rare double on South African soil.

But Sheridan insists Ulster must overcome a multitude of factors to land a big victory in Johannesburg.

"I think with the Irish (international) lads away, a bit of rotation and then obviously the altitude and the fact that the Lions are such a great, dangerous team, especially at home, it's a completely different challenge," added the 24-year-old second row.

"I'd say it's certainly going to be one of the hardest games of the year. If we can front up there, it'll put us in a really good place."

Sheridan, who has played for the Ireland Under-20 and Emerging Ireland teams, played all 80 minutes in Ulster's wins over the Dragons and Sharks, with a late cameo off the bench in the victory over the Bulls.

After a trying campaign last year, he says he is benefitting from conducting more robust reviews of his own performances.

"It's definitely about having a review process. Last year, I maybe flew through things willy-nilly and didn't lock down why these things went wrong, I just dismissed them," he said.

"This year I've been very particular about going through my strengths and weaknesses and what I want to do after each game to review them."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon says beating the Lions in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game (12:45 BST) would be a "huge statement" after losing the squad's Ireland contingent.

The in-form Irish province, who have started the URC season with a hat-trick of bonus-point wins, go into this weekend's contest at Ellis Park without Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Iain Henderson and Nick Timoney, who have left for international duty before next week's Test against New Zealand in Chicago.

All four started Ulster's impressive 34-26 win over the Sharks in Durban last week and Faloon admits losing four players of their calibre in the middle of a South African tour has been less than ideal.

"A little bit disruptive," he said when asked about the departures following the Sharks game.

"We've had some players come out to bolster our numbers but we're probably down a couple and then you're losing four lads who have lots of IQ and are big leaders around the group as well, so it is disruptive, but I think the lads have been going well."

Faloon added: "It'd be a statement for our squad. To lose the four guys that we have, for our squad to step up and deliver a performance as good would be a huge statement."

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Ulster are also without flanker Sean Reffell and Ireland international Cormac Izuchukwu - who Faloon revealed has sustained a "small fracture" in his foot - but they remain hopeful that Juarno Augustus will feature on Saturday.

The South African number eight was withdrawn at half-time against the Sharks with an arm injury, but Faloon says he has not yet been ruled out.

"We're still monitoring him. He's played a little bit of a role in training this week. We're just going to see how he goes come Saturday," he said of the summer signing.

Having seen off a Sharks team loaded with Springboks last time out, Ulster must become acclimatised to the heat and altitude as they look to go two from two on their South African tour and sign off for the autumn break with a fourth straight win.

"It's a huge task. We're under no illusions there. We know what's going to face us in the Lions with the heat and altitude.

"It would be a brilliant return for us."

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Flanker Sean Reffell has been ruled out of Ulster's United Rugby Championship game against the Lions on Saturday (12:45 BST), while Juarno Augustus is a doubt.

Reffell was forced off with a shoulder injury after coming off the bench in Ulster's 34-26 victory over the Sharks in Durban last weekend and is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

Augustus, who was replaced at half-time by Reffell in the win, suffered an arm injury and "will be monitored through training this week," Ulster said in an update on Tuesday.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy will also be without experienced quartet Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney and Stuart McCloskey for Saturday's game in Johannesburg as they have all left the squad to link up with Ireland for the November internationals.

Forward Cormac Izuchukwu is still out with a foot injury sustained against the Bulls earlier this month.

Marcus Rea, Ben Carson, Charlie Irvine and uncapped Bryn Ward have been added to the Ulster panel as Murphy's side look to extend their 100% winning start to the URC campaign.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy described his side's 34-26 victory over the Sharks in Durban as "a big statement win".

The impressive bonus-point win after an incident-packed game ensured the Irish province maintained their 100% start to their United Rugby Championship campaign by making it three wins out of three.

"We're delighted to come over here and win and pick up five points. It's a really big statement win for us, especially against the quality of the Sharks side that they had on the pitch," said Murphy.

"Our set-piece wasn't going to plan but we stayed in the fight and off turnover ball we were very dangerous.

"So really happy with the way we transitioned and caused the Sharks a lot of trouble."

Ulster's success follows on from wins at home to the Dragons and Bulls, with the Lions next up next Saturday before the international break.

"It feels like we're going in the right direction. We've played four games this season, including one pre-season, and won all four. We haven't done that in a very long time.

"I think you can see how much the players want to play for each other and the commitment they have to Ulster, which is huge.

"We'll keep pointing them in the right direction. There are loads of things from a coaching point of view that we feel we can still go after in order to get better, but very happy with how we're progressing at this stage."

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The Sharks welcomed five Springboks into their line-up but remain winless as their indiscipline proved costly, Vincent Koch and Mapimpi being yellow-carded for lifting tackles on Michael Lowry, with the latter upgraded to a 20-minute red card after a bunker review.

"When you see the names on the teamsheet you could easily give up then and maybe think about next week but that's not how we want to be, we want to play against the best teams.

"That challenge has really galvanised our team and from my point of view I think we've shown a new side of the team that we want to be - extremely committed, working hard for each other.

"We've a mix of a couple of older guys and some very young players and the experience for those guys today is going to be huge."

Lowry, Werner Kok, Tom Stewart and Callum Reid all crossed for the visitors, with Nathan Doak kicking 14 points.

"We're really pleased with the result, some of the performance really pleases us as well and how brave we are when we have the ball in our hand. Some of our defence I thought was excellent," reflected Murphy.

"But there's still plenty we can get better at and we're going to need to with the teams we're going to face over the rest of the season."

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Ulster back row David McCann feels Saturday's game against the Sharks in Durban is "huge" in terms of setting them up for the season.

Following bonus point home victories against the Dragons and the Bulls, Richie Murphy's side face their first away assignments on their tour to South Africa with a trip to Johannesburg to take on the Lions to come next week.

Winning on the road is crucial to mounting a challenge in the URC and following last season's disappointment, McCann feels the benefits are greater than mere points on the board.

"We need to show we can do it on the road and do it consistently," he said.

"If we can do that, then belief grows. Two games into the league, we have started with a bit of confidence and belief, this weekend is huge for us in terms of going forward.

"Getting a win this weekend is huge as it puts us in a prime position. If we could follow that up next week with another, compared to last year we'd be a much better position, but it's about taking momentum and carrying it into the rest of the year."

It will be a tough assignment on Saturday (15:00 BST) against a Sharks team that contains some World Cup-winning Springboks in the heat and humidity of Durban.

McCann feels Ulster's "energy" will be crucial to their chances of success, as will a good start to the game.

"We are focusing on starting early and bringing our energy into this week as we know Sharks will be a good side, really physical and confrontational," he added.

"It's about imposing our defence on them early and our attack is set up in a way we can expose some weaknesses in their defence, especially in around those wider channels if we go deeper into phase [play]."

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Ulster's four Ireland call-ups have been named to start against the Sharks in Durban in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Iain Henderson will captain the side from the second row while Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start as Ulster target a third straight win.

Michael Lowry has recovered from injury to return at full-back, and he will join Stockdale, who moves to the wing from 15, and former Sharks player Werner Kok in the back three.

Hooker Tom Stewart and prop Scott Wilson will start their first games of the season alongside Sam Crean in the front row.

With Cormac Izuchukwu having not travelled to South Africa because of the foot injury that ruled him out of the Ireland squad, Harry Sheridan gets the nod to start alongside Henderson in front of a back row of David McCann, Timoney and Juarno Augustus.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy retain their places at half-back, while McCloskey and James Hume start at centre.

Development lock Joe Hopes could make his first appearance since November 2023 off the bench.

The Sharks have named a strong team to face Ulster and have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals in the shape of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok; J Hume, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; J Murphy, N Doak; S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, H Sheridan; D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus.

Replacements: R Herring, C Reid, T O'Toole, J Hopes, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite.

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The Sharks have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals for Saturday's game against Ulster in Durban (15:00 BST).

World Cup winners Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi all return to the Sharks pack to join international team-mates Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, who featured against Leinster in Dublin last week, for the United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park.

Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen return to a backline which boasts a Test-level back three of Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe.

Hendrikse brothers Jaden and Jordan and Lukhanyo Am are named among the replacements.

Wing Hooker, 22, says the Sharks are excited for their first home game of the season after defeats by Leinster and Glasgow and a draw with the Dragons on their European tour.

"I want to make my home team proud, the vibe is pretty good being back and you get that sense of a home feeling," said Hooker.

"We're all keen and looking forward to going out on Saturday and performing for our fans. They can look forward to this week's game as much as we are.

"We've trained really hard, exciting things are coming and we hope to see a full stadium coming out in support and watching a really good game of rugby."

Ulster, who have started the season with back-to-back wins, name their team on Friday.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

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Ulster assistant coach Mark Sexton says more Ulster players in the Irish squad is "better for everybody".

Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale were included in Andy Farrell's 34-man squad for the autumn internationals that begin with a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand on 1 November.

Cormac Izuchukwu missed out due to a foot injury that has seen him stay behind in Belfast to see a specialists as Ulster prepare for a URC game the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Ulster will monitor his progress with Sexton saying they will assess whether the 25-year-old forward will join up with the squad for next week's game against the Lions in Johannesburg.

However, the inclusion of the Ulster quartet in Farrell's Ireland squad is a positive with Sexton paying tribute to Stockdale whose versatility saw him play at full-back in last week's 28-7 home win against the Lions.

"Jacob is unbelievably talented, you saw the last two nights he's been incredible," Sexton said in a media call from Ulster's base in Durban.

"He has size and power, has a good left-footed kicking game, is good in the air and his ability to beat players and offload, I can't speak highly enough about Jacob."

Sexton arrived in Ulster over the summer from Connacht as attack and backs coach.

He admits he can be "demanding" but in their opening two URC games, Ulster have scored 10 tries as they picked up maximum points.

It has been a good start, but Sexton feels there is still room for improvement with the "ability to finish line breaks" one area he has identified.

"We just didn't finish the last pass and that needs to get better," he said.

"Against the Bulls we were a bit cagey for 30 minutes, so I'd like to throw the shackles off.

"We're seeing lads express themselves, playing with smiles on their faces and playing to space. We're seeing exciting rugby which I am passionate about."