Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Darren Fullerton

Ulster boosted by return of experienced player for South African double header

Ulster have been boosted by the return to fitness of experienced centre Luke Marshall who has missed the past 16 months with serious injury.

Marshall, whose recent career has been beset by injuries, was sidelined after damaging his knee in a league win over Scarlets in November 2020.

The 31-year-old, who has won 144 Ulster caps since making his debut in 2010, is part of Dan McFarland’s travelling party to face the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa.

Read More: Linfield FC pays tribute to former matchday announcer Joe McAuley who has died, aged 82

Ulster, who lie a point below Leinster at the top of the URC table, play the Stormers at the DHL Stadium on Saturday before playing the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, April 2.

In an official squad update, Ulster stated: “Luke Marshall has reintegrated into full team training and is available for selection again following his knee injury sustained in November 2020.”

Prop Tom O’Toole is also back after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered last month, but lock Sam Carter hasn’t travelled following a recent Covid-19 infection.

Ulster’s full travelling party to South Africa is as follows:

Forwards : Alan O’Connor, Andy Warwick, Bradley Roberts, Callum Reid, Duane Vermeulen, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Greg Jones, Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy, Kieran Treadwell, Marcus Rea, Marty Moore, Matty Rea, Mick Kearney, Nick Timoney, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Tom Stewart.

Backs : Ben Moxham, Billy Burns, Craig Gilroy, Dave Shanahan, Ethan McIlroy, Ian Madigan, James Hume, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Michael Lowry, Nathan Doak, Rob Lyttle, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey.

Read more: Former Linfield forward Paul Smyth says anger inspired Leyton Orient screamer

Read more: Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough boosted by star player's return from injury

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.