Ulster v Edinburgh team news: Lowry captains URC opener
Michael Lowry will captain Ulster in Friday night’s United Rugby Championship opener against Edinburgh at Affidea Stadium, with Richie Murphy naming a starting XV containing five summer signings.
Eight players in the matchday 23 are in line to make their first competitive Ulster appearances, while James McNabney returns to competitive action at number eight after missing all of last season with a long-term knee injury.
Ulster v Edinburgh: match details
- Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
- Date: Friday 25 September 2026
- Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
- Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
- Competition: United Rugby Championship – Round 1
- TV / stream: Premier Sports and URC.tv
For the permanent fixture information and any late updates, see the Ulster v Edinburgh Match Hub.
Ulster team v Edinburgh
Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick and Argentina international Eduardo Bello form the front row. Bello is one of the new arrivals making a first competitive start, with fellow summer signings Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell paired together in the second row.
David McCann starts at blindside flanker, Martin Moloney makes his competitive Ulster debut at openside and McNabney returns at number eight.
Conor McKee and Jack Murphy are the half-backs. Jamie Benson makes his competitive debut at inside centre alongside Ben Carson, while Aitzol Arenzana-King and Robert Baloucoune start on the wings. Lowry captains the side from full-back.
Starting XV
- Eric O’Sullivan
- James McCormick
- Eduardo Bello
- Eli Snyman
- Ben Donnell
- David McCann
- Martin Moloney
- James McNabney
- Conor McKee
- Jack Murphy
- Aitzol Arenzana-King
- Jamie Benson
- Ben Carson
- Robert Baloucoune
- Michael Lowry (captain)
Replacements
- Henry Walker
- Tom McAllister
- Keynan Knox
- Harry Sheridan
- James McKillop
- Matthew Devine
- Jake Flannery
- Zac Ward
Five new signings start
Bello, Snyman, Donnell, Moloney and Benson are all handed their first competitive Ulster starts. It gives the opening league team a noticeably different look from last season, particularly in the tight five and midfield.
There is also experience around the new faces. Baloucoune returns to the starting side after his involvement with Ireland over the summer, while last season’s leading try scorer Zac Ward is among the replacements.
McNabney makes his competitive return
McNabney’s selection at number eight is another significant part of the team news. He missed the whole of last season after a serious knee injury and now returns for Ulster’s first competitive fixture of 2026/27.
Arenzana-King also keeps his place after an eye-catching pre-season in which he scored four tries across the Edinburgh and Ospreys warm-up matches.
What the bench looks like
Murphy has gone with a 5:3 split. Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Keynan Knox, Harry Sheridan and James McKillop provide the forward cover, with Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery and Zac Ward covering the backs.
Walker, Knox and Devine are among the players who could make their competitive Ulster debuts if introduced.
Season starts under the lights in Belfast
Friday’s match is Ulster’s first league fixture of the new season and a quick competitive rematch with Edinburgh after the sides met in pre-season earlier this month. Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Affidea Stadium.
We’ll keep the Match Hub as the permanent home for fixture details, broadcast information and further match updates.