Preview
Today. 12.30pm
ULSTER interim head coach Richie Murphy says a ‘massive test' awaits in Montpellier.
Ulster have lost their last two URC games in South Africa, going down in hard-fought contests against Sharks (22-12) and Stormers (13-7).
Their French opponents may be struggling near the foot of the Top 14, but Murphy knows the twotimes Challenge Cup winners present a significant challenge.
“Montpellier away is a tough, hostile place to go,” said Murphy. “They are a big physical team with a good home record. It's another massive test for us, but we want to get through to the quarter-final.”
Ulster, one of four teams dropping down from the Champions Cup into the knockout stage, bowed out in the semi-final on their last appearance in this competition three years ago.
Tighthead Tom O'Toole said: “We're fighting at the moment as a team and as a club. We want to be more clinical and get a bit more ball and attack,” he said.
“The coaches have made it clear about what our standards should be and we'll keep driving towards that in the player group.”
Captain Iain Henderson returns to the side having missed last week's defeat in Cape Town through illness. Alan O'Connor also returns to join Henderson in the second row. Stewart Moore replaces Mike Lowry at full-back.
England No.8 Sam Simmonds returns to the Montpellier side with fellow former Exeter Chief Harry Williams at tighthead, and Dave Ewers on the bench for Ulster.
TEAMS
MONTPELLIER: De Nardi, Ngandebe, Bridge, Cadot, Lam, Foursans, Eymeri; Fichten, Tolofua, Williams, Verhaeghe, Willemse (c), Becognee, Doumenc, Simmonds
Replacements: Karkadze, Erdocio, Macharashvili, Duguid, Camara, Carbonel, Dakuwaqa, Lucas
ULSTER: Moore, Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, McIlroy, Doak, Cooney; Kitshoff, Herring, O'Toole, O'Connor, Henderson (c), Rea, McCann, Timoney
Replacements: Stewart, Warwick, Wilson, Sheridan, Izuchukwu, Flannery, Stockdale, Ewers
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
