Olympics standout to make Champions Cup debut in good company for Ulster against Joey Carbery's Bordeaux

Olympics star Zac Ward will make his Champions Cup bow at Kingspan Stadium - and is in good company as crack Top 14 side Bordeaux Bègles visit Belfast on Saturday (3.15pm).

Ward, who made a big impact at Paris 2024 with the Ireland Sevens team and is the son of former Ulster favourite Andy, makes his senior debut for the province on the wing.

He is joined by new Ireland international Cormac Izuchukwu, Aidan Morgan, Jude Postlethwaite and Werner Kok in playing in the competition for the first time at Ulster's home ground.

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Ulster are chasing a first win in this year's tournament after last week's 40-point loss to rampant reigning champs Toulouse.

But Richie Murphy did keep a number of his frontliners in reserve for this fixture against a a free-scoring Bordeaux side that beat Leicester comfortably last week and that has Joey Carbery at No.10 this week in what is the French club's first visit to Belfast in seven years, when they edged a close encounter 26-22.

Murphy has named a completely changed pack from last week's starting line-up and it is one that includes seven Ireland internationals. Skipper Iain Henderson makes his 50th European appearance while Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker.

Joey Carbery in full flight for Bordeaux after coming off the bench in the Champions Cup first round victory over Leicester Tigers at Stade Chaban Delmas
(Image: Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

In the backs, Jude Postlethwaite joins Stuart McCloskey at centre, while wingers Ward and Kok are joined by Michael Lowry in the back three.

Academy utility back, Rory Telfer, is also poised for his senior debut off the bench - while it would also be a first Champions Cup appearance for fly-half James Humphreys if he comes on.

Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Cormac Izuchukwu , Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Rory Telfer.

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