Ulster’s Tom Stewart Poised for Season Debut Against Leinster

Ireland international hooker Tom Stewart of Ulster is poised to make his inaugural appearance of the current season for the province, having been included among the replacements for the United Rugby Championship fixture against Leinster this Friday at Kingspan Stadium. Stewart has been sidelined throughout the season to date due to an ankle injury. Prop Scott Wilson is set to earn his first start of the campaign, stepping in for Tom O’Toole, who is currently committed to Ireland duties. This change is one of five adjustments to the starting XV following Ulster’s loss to Cardiff a month prior. In that match, Ulster relinquished a 19-0 advantage at half-time, ultimately falling to a 21-19 defeat. Stewart Moore will assume the full-back position, replacing Ethan McIlroy, and Ben Carson has been brought into the centre, as Stuart McCloskey is unavailable due to his commitments with the Ireland squad. With Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu also on Ireland duty, Alan O’Connor is reinstated to the second row and will captain the team, while James McNabney is given a starting role in the back row. Wing Zac Ward is unable to play after sustaining a concussion during Ulster’s A team match against their Connacht counterparts last weekend. Additionally, coach Richie Murphy’s squad is missing Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee), Ethan McIlroy (ankle), and Sean Reffell (ankle) due to injuries. Table-toppers Leinster have made 11 alterations to their lineup since their previous fixture against the Lions, yet they retain the services of Ireland internationals Jack Conan, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Will Connors, and Max Deegan. The Leinster substitutes’ bench features Springboks standout RG Snyman, Scott Penny, and Harry Byrne, the second of the Byrne fly-half brothers, who is also an Ireland international. Leo Cullen’s team currently holds the top position in the United Rugby Championship standings, leading by six points following their six consecutive victories to open the season. In contrast, Ulster occupies seventh place, 13 points behind the leaders, having recorded three wins and three defeats. Ulster’s squad is as follows: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann. Replacements include: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham. Leinster’s team comprises: Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (capt). The replacements are: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny.