Rugby

Iain Henderson returns to captain Ulster against Northampton

Dan McFarland’s side looking to follow up on their famous win over Clermont Auvergne

Iain Henderson returns to captain Ulster against Northampton on Friday night. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Thu Dec 16 2021 - 12:31

Champions Cup: Ulster v Northampton Saints, Friday December 17th, Ravenhill (kick-off 8pm, BT Sport).

Iain Henderson returns to captain Ulster as they look to make it two Champions Cup wins from two against Northampton Saints on Friday night.

Henderson is one of three changes from the side who secured a famous victory away to Clermont last weekend, with Marty Moore returning at prop and Craig Gilroy coming in on the wing.

Gilroy is joined in the back three by Ethan McIlroy and fullback Michael Lowry, with Stuart McCloskey and the impressive James Hume lining out in midfield.

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John Cooney - another standout performer in the win over Clermont - resumes at scrumhalf with Billy Burns at 10.

Up front Moore, Rob Herring and Andrew Warwick form the frontrow. Captain Henderson and Alan O’Connor start in the engineroom with Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney and new signing Duane Vermeulen in the backrow.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Marty Moore; Alan O'Connor, Iain Henderson (capt); Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen. Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore.