Ulster

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Ulster assistant Jonny Bell believes his side will need to improve "technically" rather than physically in order to get the best of the Bulls in Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The northern province were beaten 35-22 by the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend with Bell describing the players as "bitterly disappointed" by their performance in the second game of their United Rugby Championship season.

The Bulls, who had a large contingent on Springboks duty during the Rugby Championship, are one of the most physical sides in the competition but Bell knows Ulster cannot simply try to match them "toe to toe" in that regard.

"Physically, they challenge you and then they've any number of players who like to get you one on one and are dangerous," said the side's defensive specialist.

"When you play a lot of these South African teams, trying to go toe to toe with very big men, we're never going to win a battle of size.

"You can't shirk away from that but we've got to be technically good.

"Otherwise you're just giving big carriers one on ones and that's what they want."

Ulster have now lost their last three matches on South African soil, and were beaten by the hosts on their only previous URC visit to the Bulls' iconic Loftus Versfeld venue in 2022.

"We're excited by that challenge at Loftus," added Bell. "They're a big set-piece team so we need to be on our mettle around that.

"It's no small challenge but it's a great challenge."

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his squad are "learning all the time" after they went down 35-22 to the Lions in their United Rugby Championship game in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The hosts racked up five tries, with the Irish province scoring four to salvage a bonus point from the encounter.

"We have a lot of young guys out there for the first time in South Africa playing at this level so it’s been a good experience," said Murphy.

"Disappointed with the result but happy to go away with a bonus point. I thought maybe in that last play we might have been able to get back up and get a second bonus point [for being within seven points] but it wasn’t to be.

"Part of our strategy today was not to play too much at our end but our kicking game was a little bit loose and we weren’t getting into the contestable areas."

Murphy conceded that the South African side were deserving of their victory after dominating possession and territory for long spells, particularly in the first half.

"The Lions deserved their win. We started poorly and we couldn’t get into the game, with 75% territory against us. Our kicking game let us down a little bit, which normally is quite strong.

“A couple of decisions go against you early on and then you’re on the back foot so I thought the lads showed real good courage to come back in and get back into it in the second half, then we concede a couple of easy scores and the game gets away from you again.

“The few refereeing decisions which went against us early on I think have a big bearing on the game."

Ulster will next move to Pretoria where they will face the Bulls on 5 October.

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John Cooney and Stuart McCloskey are among those recalled to an Ulster team showing eight changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Lions in Johannesburg (11:55 BST).

Cooney has recovered from a hamstring injury to replace Nathan Doak at scrum-half while McCloskey is back to partner Stewart Moore in midfield.

South African winger Werner Kok earns his first start after coming off the bench in last week's win over URC champions Glasgow in Belfast.

There are five changes in the pack. Andy Warwick and Tom O'Toole replace Eric O'Sullivan and Corrie Barrett as the props with Alan O'Connor captaining the team from the second row alongside Kieran Treadwell.

Matty Rea and Sean Reffell are recalled as the flankers. Head coach Richie Murphy - who is without Emerging Ireland players Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Harry Sheridan - opts for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench.

Ulster beat the Lions in Belfast last season but lost both of their matches in South Africa in March, losing to the Sharks and the Stormers.

After Saturday's game, Ulster travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls on 5 October.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole; Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt); Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.

Listen to Lions v Ulster on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle & BBC Sport website from 11:45 BST on Saturday.

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Scrum-half John Cooney has been included in Ulster's 30-man travelling squad for their upcoming United Rugby Championship double-header in South Africa while Tadgh McElroy has joined the club.

Cooney missed last weekend's opening URC win over Glasgow because of injury but has returned to full training this week.

Ulster have also confirmed that former Connacht and Leinster hooker McElroy has joined the club on a "short-term injury cover basis".

The 27-year-old former Ireland U20 international joins at a time when Ulster hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart are sidelined through injury.

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey is also included in the squad after missing the Glasgow game.

Ulster face the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday (11:55 BST) before taking on the Bulls in Pretoria on 5 October (15:00 BST).

Backs: John Cooney, Nathan Doak, Dave Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, James Humphreys, Jacob Stockdale, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham, Werner Kok, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy

Forwards: Andy Warwick, Eric O’Sullivan, Callum Reid, John Andrew, James McCormick, Tadgh McElroy, Tom O’Toole, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (capt), Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ulster's David Shanahan says having to wait so long for his opportunities makes moments like Saturday night's winning try against Glasgow Warriors all the sweeter.

The 31-year-old made his debut for the province over 11 years ago but has spent the majority of his professional career as their third choice nine.

With John Cooney starting the season nursing an injury, the Dublin native was named on the bench against the URC champions and capped off a lengthy cameo in the dramatic 20-19 win with the all-important try four minutes into additional time.

"It does, yeah," he said when asked if the game-clinching score in the season's first game feels like a case of perseverance rewarded.

"I try to stay pretty consistent with how I think. It's up to the coaches to pick the best player and who the best two nines are.

"The way I look at it is, when I get a chance, play my very best. That's all I can do. I was happy I was able to make a decent impact, anyway."

Shanahan admitted he did not know why his score was checked by the TMO, with the delay giving the province's players and supporters a nervy wait.

Ulster's celebrations were put on ice as, while Aidan Morgan was lining up the conversion attempt with the game seemingly won, the try was reviewed by the match officials before being confirmed.

"Maybe it was illegal but the scoreline's there now and it can't be changed.

"Regardless of who you're playing it's always good to win your first game of the season.

"We're away to South Africa [to play the Lions and Bulls] so it'll be a tough couple of weeks, but hopefully we can kick on from that result and maybe get a couple of results over there, too."

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Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper says the last-gasp 20-19 victory over Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship opener was "good entertainment".

The Belfast hosts trailed the champions four minutes into the red when Dave Shanahan touched down to give Ulster a dramatic winning start to the campaign.

"This group of guys have character, they're not going to go away and they'll stay in the fight," said Soper.

"It was good entertainment - it was a bit nervy. We could be a lot more efficient, scoring a bit quicker but Dave Shanahan did the job at the death so it's a great way to start the year."

Glasgow dominated for much of the game and led 12-10 at the break but Ulster finished strongly with two tries in the final eight minutes.

"We weren't brilliant, we are all aware of that, but we did enough in the first half, we were under a lot of pressure to stay in the game and then in the second half it was much of the same.

"We did just enough to get our noses in front at the death."

Ulster now travel to South Africa to face the Lions next Saturday before a meeting with the Bulls.

"We're pretty pleased to get this result but we have a tough couple of weeks coming up so we'll need to get better."

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Ulster back row David McCann has signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at the Irish province until at least 2026.

McCann was one of Ulster's standout performers during the 2023-24 season and made 13 turnovers and 158 tackles in United Rugby Championship games last term.

His contribution was rewarded with personal honours in the form of being chosen as Ulster men's player of the year and Rugby Writers' Player of the Year at the 2024 Ulster Rugby Awards.

The 24-year-old has represented Ireland at Under-20s level and was included in the Emerging Ireland tour of 2022.

Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham, said:

"Dave has really come on as a player in the past twelve months. His significant physical development has been a big factor in many of his stand-out performances last season.

"He has very quickly established himself in our team and has become a vital cog in our squad, with his all-round game giving him the versatility to excel across the back-row positions.

"Dave is an extremely ambitious individual, who has a great desire to keep setting high standards for himself and those around him. He will continue to improve and build on his overall game. We are delighted to secure him beyond this season.”

On his extension, McCann commented: : "I’m delighted to sign a new deal with Ulster Rugby. I felt last season was a huge year for me personally, and I want to continue that into next season.

"I’ve worked hard on my game, felt I had some good form, and enjoyed being a regular in the team as we competed in the URC and Europe.

"We have a great blend of forwards here, and I love training and playing alongside them. My aim is to keep developing as a player and I’m excited about being part of this squad for the years to come.”

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New signings Aidan Morgan and Corrie Barrett will make their competitive debuts for Ulster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship opener at home to holders Glasgow.

Captain Iain Henderson returns to start in the second row alongside Kieran Treadwell after a toe injury forced him to miss Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

Barrett is in the front row, with Eric O'Sullivan at loosehead prop and John Andrew included at hooker.

Nathan Doak retains his place at scrum-half after starting the pre season friendly defeats against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs.

South African Werner Kok will also be hoping to make his competitive debut from the bench as he is named amongst the replacements.

Richie Murphy is without a number of experienced players for the game against the reigning URC champions due to injury.

John Cooney has a hamstring problem whilst Rob Herring is ruled out of the game with a calf issue and fellow hooker Tom Stewart is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Backs James Hume, Robert Baloucoune and Jake Flannery also miss out through injury.

Back row Reuben Crothers (knee) and wings Aaron Sexton (hamstring) and Zac Ward (groin) picked up injuries in Ulster's pre-season defeat by Exeter and are unavailable.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.

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Ulster have signed prop Corrie Barrett on a one-year deal after a successful trial.

Barrett linked up with the squad in pre-season and featured in their friendly defeats against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs.

He previously played for Ulster ‘A’ as well as having spells with Munster ‘A’, Bedford Blues, Saracens, and most recently, Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship last season.

And the 26-year-old expressed his excitement at returning to Belfast to play with the province.

“I’m delighted to sign with Ulster, as a youngster, it was always my goal to play for the club," he told Ulster's website.

"After four seasons in England, I’m excited about coming back home and getting to play with my home province.

“The setup has been very welcoming and seamless. I can already see with the calibre of players and coaches here that my game will improve.”