Challenge Cup: Ulster and Connacht name teams for Cheetahs and Montpellier games

Bradley McNamara will make his first Ulster start as part of a much-changed line-up for Sunday’s Challenge Cup pool 3 match against the Cheetahs at NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam (15:15 GMT).

Full-back McNamara, who came off the bench in last month’s Challenge Cup loss at Cardiff, is the only back-three change with wingers Zac Ward and Werner Kok retained from last week’s United Rugby Championship win over Munster.

McNamara replaces Jacob Stockdale, who sustained a rib injury against Munster.

Nathan Doak remains at scrum-half with Jake Flannery replacing Jack Murphy at fly-half, while Jude Postlethwaite partners James Hume in the centres with Stuart McCloskey dropping out.

Head coach Richie Murphy has opted to make seven changes to his pack with only Joe Hopes retained in the second row alongside the returning Harry Sheridan.

Hooker Rob Herring captains the team alongside Sam Crean and Scott Wilson in the front row. Sean Reffell returns to the back row for the first time since the Cardiff game at open-side flanker.

David McCann is named at blind-side with Lorcan McLoughlin making his first appearance in a year at number eight.

With sub-zero temperatures forecast in Amsterdam on Sunday, Ulster say they are “aware of the challenging weather conditions forecast for this weekend and the potential impact on travel”.

“We are working closely with our travel partner to examine all available options and alternative routes in the event our current plans are affected and are continuing to monitor the situation as conditions evolve,” they added.

Ulster picked up seven points from their first two games while the Cheetahs lost to Exeter Chiefs and Stade Francais.

Ulster: McNamara; Kok, Hume, Postlethwaite, Z Ward; Flannery, Doak; Crean, Herring (capt), Wilson, Sheridan, Hopes, McCann, Reffell, McLoughlin.

Replacements: McCormick, O’Sullivan, O’Connor, Dalton, Rea, Shanahan, Humphreys, Carson.