Herring and Ward start for Ulster against Cardiff

Ulster hooker Rob Herring and wing Zac Ward have both been recalled for the province’s United Rugby Championship game against Cardiff at the Affidea Stadium.

Herring, who was amongst the replacements for the late 27-22 defeat by Scarlets last weekend, joins Scott Wilson and Angus Bell in the front row.

The second row remains unchanged, with captain Iain Henderson joined by Charlie Irvine.

In the back row, Marcus Rea makes his first start of the season while scrum-half Conor McKee comes into the team.

Ward returns to the backline alongside Ethan McIlroy, who makes his first start of the season at full-back after recovering from a knee injury.

Ben Carson will make his first URC start of the campaign at inside centre, while Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements.

Bryan O’Connor, Lorcan McLoughlin and Ben Moxham are all in line for their first appearances of the season off the bench.

Jacob Stockdale, Nathan Doak, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Baloucoune, Tom O’Toole, Jude Postlethwaite, Tom Stewart, Cormac Izuchukwu and Nick Timoney are all away on Ireland duty.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok, Hume, Carson, Ward; Murphy, McKee; Bell, Herring, Wilson; Henderson (capt), Irvine; Dalton, Rea, McCann.