Tom McAllister Set for Ulster Debut as Team Faces Edinburgh in URC Clash

Tom McAllister Set for Ulster Debut as Team Faces Edinburgh in URC Clash

Prop Tom McAllister is set to make his senior Ulster debut in the rescheduled United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh on Friday at 19:45 GMT. The Ireland under-20 international tight-head joined the Ulster academy last year and will start in the front row alongside Australian loose-head Angus Bell and hooker Rob Herring. Rob Herring will captain the side due to the absence of Iain Henderson, who has been called into the Ireland squad for the upcoming Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland. Key players Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite, and Bryn Ward return to the lineup after participating in Ireland's Six Nations camp, while number eight Juarno Augustus makes his first appearance of 2026 following an ankle injury recovery. Notably, Izuchukwu missed Ulster's previous loss to Ospreys on February 28 due to a concussion. With Nathan Doak still on Ireland duty, Dave Shanahan is given a rare start at scrum-half, marking his first senior start since November 2023. Shanahan’s inclusion is the only change to the backline from the Ospreys match, as Jack Murphy retains his position at fly-half, supported by Zac Ward, Werner Kok, and Michael Lowry in the back three. Ulster, currently sixth in the URC table, aims to climb to second place with a bonus-point victory over 12th-placed Edinburgh, who triumphed in last season's meeting with a score of 47-17. The match was originally slated for October 3, but was postponed due to Storm Amy. Ulster Starting XV: Lowry; Kok, Hume, Postlethwaite; Z Ward; Murphy, Shanahan; Bell, Herring, McAllister, Sheridan, Irvine, Izuchukwu, B Ward, Augustus.

Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-12