Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has kept his Irish internationals in reserve for Sunday’s Champions Cup opener against Toulouse, with only Stuart McCloskey named in the starting line-up for the game at the Stade Ernest-Wallon (kick-off 3:15pm).
In what is undoubtedly a surprising team selection from the province, all four of the returning Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named on the bench for the tie in France.
There have also been some interesting selection calls from Murphy as hooker James McCormick retains his place in the front row for his first European start despite the return of Tom Stewart a week ago, while there is no place in the squad for either Kieran Treadwell or David McCann despite not being listed in the province’s weekly injury report.
In the backs, Ben Carson has been given a significant show of faith having been named at outside centre ahead of Jude Postlethwaite, reflecting the former Ireland Under-20s star’s rise this season from a player on the fringes of the squad to now joining McCormick in making his first European start.
McCloskey’s return is one of five changes to the side that lost to Leinster a week ago, with Andrew Warwick, Harry Sheridan and the Rea brothers, Matty and Marcus, all promoted to an inexperienced starting line-up to take on the defending European and French champions.
It certainly seems that Murphy is looking to see what his young players can produce in the demanding sphere that is the European Cup by backing them against arguably the best side in the competition, who have gone as full strength as possible themselves.
Danger man Antoine Dupont captains a side that contains seven French internationals in the run-on team from scrum-half as Ugo Mola outlines his desire to retain their title.
After his try-scoring exploits against Leinster a week ago, Carson is rewarded with his first European start alongside the experienced McCloskey in an otherwise unchanged back line, aided by Werner Kok’s recovery from a head knock on the wing.
The South African was a doubt but has been passed fit to take his place in a back three that also contains Stewart Moore and Mike Lowry, with Aidan Morgan and Nathan Doak continuing their half-back partnership.
Warwick comes into the front row at loosehead in place of Eric O’Sullivan alongside McCormick and Scott Wilson, while Alan O’Connor is handed the captain’s armband with Henderson on the bench, with Sheridan promoted to the side beside him in the engine room.
There is a first start of the season at number eight for James McNabney as he rounds out the starting line-up alongside the Rea brothers in the back row, keeping Ireland international Nick Timoney on the bench.
Indeed, if the game is in the balance going into the closing stages then Ulster certainly have plenty of strength to boost their line-up, the Ireland contingent backed by O’Sullivan, Dave Shanahan and Jude Postlethwaite.
Ulster: (15-9) S Moore; W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, M Lowry; A Morgan, N Doak; (1-8) A Warwick, J McCormick, S Wilson; A O’Connor (captain), H Sheridan; Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, J McNabney.
Replacements: R Herring, E O’Sullivan, T O’Toole, I Henderson, C Izuchukwu, D Shanahan, J Postlethwaite, N Timoney.
Toulouse: (15-9) T Ramos; A Capuozzo, P-L Barassi, S Chocobares, M Lebel; R Ntamack, A Dupont (captain); (1-8) D Ainu’u, P Mauvaka, D Aldegheri; T Flament, E Meafou; J Willis, L Banos, A Roumat.
Replacements: J Marchand, R Neti, J Merkler, J Brennan, T Ntamack, P Graou, P Costes, J C Mallia.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)