Ulster coach Dan McFarland has included seven current Ireland squad members, as well as Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen, in the touring group for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship tour of South Africa.
Ulster confirmed the squad that will travel to SA for two matches, first a clash with the Emirates Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, before the Irish side travels to Durban to face the Cell C Sharks next week.
Club captain Iain Henderson is the only current Irish international squad member not on tour, while SA-born hooker Rob Herring has been included.
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The other six Ireland players selected are Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry and Tom O’Toole. Players involved in the victorious Emerging Ireland tour to SA will join the Ulster squad later this week.
Vermeulen’s battles with the in-form Lions – the Joburgers return from a three-match unbeaten tour of Wales and Scotland – and a Sharks outfit that includes Bok skipper Siya Kolisi and enforcer Eben Etzebeth, is shaping up to be a highlight of the looming matches.
Ulster tour squad – Forwards: John Andrew, Sam Carter, Rob Herring, Gareth Milasinovich, Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Marcus Rea, Matty Rea, Rory Sutherland, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, Andrew Warwick, Duane Vermeulen. Backs: Billy Burns, John Cooney, Angus Curtis, James Hume, Mike Lowry, Rob Lyttle, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey. Emerging Ireland players: Rob Baloucoune, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave McCann, Michael McDonald, Ethan McIlroy, Stewart Moore, Callum Reid, Tom Stewart.
Photo: @UlsterRugby/Twitter
