After a hard-fought Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs, Richie Murphy has rung the changes for Ulster's pivotal United Rugby Championship clash against the table-topping Stormers at Affidea Stadium this Friday (19:45 BST).
The biggest boost for the home side is the return of Australian prop Angus Bell, who missed the Exeter triumph with a foot injury but has been passed fit to start. Bell replaces Sean Crean in one of five alterations to the starting XV.
However, Ulster's win over Exeter came at a cost. Key players Jacob Stockdale (facial fracture), Stuart McCloskey (hamstring), and David McCann (knee) all picked up injuries in that last-four battle and will be absent for the Belfast showdown.
In the backline, Werner Kok gets the nod on the right wing, with Zac Ward shifting to the left flank. Jude Postlethwaite moves into inside centre, partnering Ethan McIlroy in midfield, while the half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy remains unchanged.
Up front, James McCormick takes over at hooker from Tom Stewart, who drops to the bench. Charlie Irvine comes into the second row alongside captain Iain Henderson, and Cormac Izuchukwu moves to blindside flanker, joining Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus in the back row. Scott Wilson returns from injury to provide cover among the replacements.
Currently sitting eighth in the URC standings after back-to-back defeats to provincial rivals Leinster and Munster, Ulster are in a tight spot. A top-eight finish or a Challenge Cup victory would secure Champions Cup rugby for next season—making every point from here on out crucial.
Ulster team to face Stormers: Lowry; Kok; McIlroy, Postlethwaite; Z. Ward; Murphy, Doak; Bell, McCormick, O'Toole; Henderson (capt), Irvine; Izuchukwu, Timoney, Augustus.
Replacements: Stewart, O'Sullivan, Wilson, Sheridan, B. Ward, McKee, Flannery, De Klerk.