Joe Hopes Starts; Bryn Ward Prepared for Debut in Lions vs Ulster
In a significant move for the Ulster rugby team, Joe Hopes will make his first start this Saturday. The match is part of the United Rugby Championship against the Lions at Ellis Park, starting at 12:45 BST. The young lock, just 21 years old, will join Harry Sheridan in the second row as Iain Henderson is currently on international duty with Ireland.
Team Changes for the Upcoming Match
The Ulster lineup sees several changes as hooker Rob Herring returns as captain. Tom Stewart shifts to open-side flanker to fill in for Nick Timoney, who is also with the Ireland squad. Meanwhile, Juarno Augustus has been cleared to start at number eight after recovering from an arm injury.
- New Starting Players:
- Joe Hopes (second row)
- Rob Herring (captain, hooker)
- Tom Stewart (open-side flanker)
- Juarno Augustus (number eight)
- Injuries/Absences:
- Iain Henderson (Ireland duty)
- Nick Timoney (Ireland duty)
- Sean Reffell (ruled out)
Backline Adjustments
The backline will also see modifications this week. Zac Ward and Jude Postlethwaite are set to replace Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey, who are with the national team. Additionally, Rob Baloucoune steps in for Werner Kok on the right wing.
In a notable development, Bryn Ward, the younger brother of Zac, could make his debut after being named on the bench. Bryn, also 21, has previously represented Ireland at the under-20 level and recently joined the Ulster squad in South Africa.
Ulster Aiming for Continued Success
Ulster is searching for a fourth consecutive win to maintain their perfect start to the URC season. They have amassed 15 points from their opening three matches. This weekend’s fixture in Johannesburg marks the last game for Ulster until the autumn break, with their next match scheduled for November 28.
Confirmed Lineup for Ulster
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Fullback | Lowry |
| Right Wing | Baloucoune |
| Centre | Hume |
| Centre | Postlethwaite |
| Left Wing | Z Ward |
| Fly-Half | Murphy |
| Scrum-Half | Doak |
| Prop | Crean |
| Hooker | Herring (captain) |
| Prop | O’Toole |
| Lock | Sheridan |
| Lock | Hopes |
| Back Row | McCann |
| Back Row | Stewart |
| Number Eight | Augustus |
The replacement bench includes McCormick, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, and Kok. Observers will be keen to see how the team performs, especially with the addition of new starters and potential debutants.
