The game will see the return of several of Ulster’s international stars to the starting lineup after their involvement in the Vodafone Summer Series.

Michael Lowry, who trained with Andy Farrell’s side, returns to the starting lineup in the number 15 shirt.

Robert Baloucoune returns to the right wing and the pair are complemented by Craig Gilroy on the left.

James Hume earns a midfield selection alongside Stewart Moore while John Cooney and Billy Burns don the nine and 10 shirts respectively.

Andrew Warwick and Brad Roberts, two try-scorers from last week’s heavy defeat to Saracens in Belfast, have been given the nod at loosehead prop and hooker and Marty Moore will round off the front row at tighthead prop.

Veteran second row Alan O’Connor will don the captain’s armband in the second row and will be paired with new signing Mick Kearney.

Greg Jones will move to blindside flanker to allow Sean Reidy to start the game on the openside.

Ulster’s number eight for Thursday evening will be Nick Timoney, one of the internationals returning to the side.

Replacements on the bench include Ian Madigan and some Ireland U20 stars such as Ben Moxham and Harry Sheridan.

The match will be available to watch live on the Saracens website – kick-off is scheduled for 5 pm.

Ulster Lineup v Saracens

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Craig Gilroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney;  

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, Brad Roberts, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Mick Kearney, Greg Jones, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney.  

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Matty Rea, David Shanahan, Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, Ross Kane, Marcus Rea, David McCann, Harry Sheridan, Ian Madigan, Angus Curtis, Ben Carson.  

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The eagerly-anticipated clash against the five-time Premiership and three-time Heineken Champions Cup winners will be played in front of the largest crowd at the home of Ulster Rugby since the February 2020 win over Toyota Cheetahs.

All of those in attendance will have to have Ulster season tickets for the upcoming 2021/22 season – no individual tickets for the match will be on sale.

There will be no enforced social distancing for the fixture so season ticket holders will be able to sit in their own seat or stand on their allocated terrace for the match.

However, each terrace will operate to 30% of normal capacity to provide some social distancing in busy areas.

Furthermore, a socially distanced area will be available as an option for those who would like to socially distance themselves.

A section of the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand will be held for those who would prefer to sit in a socially distanced area.

The food village will be in operation for the game but no stadium bars will be open, except for table service in hospitality.

If you wish to become a season ticket holder ahead of the clash, there will be two priority windows in advance of this fixture for people to secure their season tickets.

2020/21 #TogetherUlster Members will have access to a Season Ticket priority window from 10 am on Tuesday 24 August until 10 am on Wednesday 25 August.

Those who have signed up to the Season Ticket waiting list before 5 pm on Tuesday 24 August will have access to a priority window from 10 am on Wednesday 25 August until 5 pm on Tuesday 31 August.

Both of these groups will be emailed their exclusive priority booking link at the time the respective windows open.

Ulster Rugby will have measures in place for the fixture in order to ensure a safe return of supporters.

Staggered entry and exit times will be utilised to avoid queueing and congestion.

Digital tickets will be accepted to provide contactless and secure entry through the turnstiles.

An alternative option to print your match tickets at home is also available.

There will be enhanced cleaning to disinfect busy areas pre and post-match and automated hand sanitising units have been fitted to turnstiles and stands.

Face coverings must be worn when moving around the stadium and in any indoor areas – the latter areas will have increased ventilation.

Numbers entering toilets will be controlled by stewards and one-way systems will be in operation where possible.

Ulster Rugby would also advise that anyone attending the fixture should test themselves using Rapid COVID-19 tests before they attend, and on days 2 and 8 after the event, in order to identify any positive cases and allow them to self-isolate.

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The two teams will face each other at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh with kick-off at 3:00 pm.

Six Irish players are included in the starting XV – Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw. You can use your Coral Promo Code and back The Lions at 2/1 to win the tour in South Africa.

It is the highest amount of players in the XV from any of the four national teams of Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong is on the bench, bringing the total of Irish players in the 23 to seven.

Tour Captain Alun Wyn Jones= takes the armband for the side’s first warm-up test.

Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson give a Scottish feel to the front row while the back row includes Beirne and Conan alongside Hamish Watson.

Conor Murray and Dan Biggar are the starting inside-back pairing with Irish centres Aki and Henshaw beside them.

Duhan Van Der Merwe, Josh Adams and Liam Williams round off the XV.

Furlong, Jamie George, Owen Farrell and Anthony Watson are among those on the bench.

The game will be available to watch on Channel 4 in Ireland and the UK with coverage starting at 2:15 pm.

British and Irish Lions 1888 Cup Squad

Backs

15. Liam Williams (Wales/Scarlets)

14. Josh Adams (Wales/Cardiff Blues)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland/Leinster)

12. Bundee Aki (Ireland/Connacht)

11. Duhan Van Der Merwe (Scotland/Edinburgh)

10. Dan Biggar (Wales/Northampton Saints)

9. Conor Murray (Ireland/Munster)

Forwards

1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland/Edinburgh)
2. Ken Owens (Wales/Scarlets)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)
4. Iain Henderson (Ireland/Ulster)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales/Ospreys)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland/Munster)
7. Hamish Watson (Scotland/Edinburgh)
8. Jack Conan (Ireland/Leinster)

Bench

16. Jamie George (England/Saracens)

17. Wyn Jones (Wales/Scarlets)

18. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland/Leinster)

19. Courtney Lawes (England/Northampton Saints)

20. Taulupe Faletau (Wales/Bath)

21. Ali Price (Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)

22. Owen Farrell (England/Saracens)

23. Anthony Watson (England/Bath)

Match Review

Chris Farrell opened Ireland’s account with a try after Yu Tamura’s early penalty. Japan responded when Michael Leitch touched down after the visitors mauled over for a try.

Stuart McCloskey then gave Ireland a 12-10 lead after Joey Carbery started an attack with a clever chip, but Japan continued to attack in waves and Timothy Lafaele got over after a free-flowing move.

Finlay Bealham responded for Ireland just before half-time with a try and they took a 19-17 lead into the break.

Siosaia Fifita was next to touch down after the break as Japan came out all guns blazing. It was tit-for-tat as Josh van der Flier then got an Ireland try to put Farrell’s men 26-24 ahead.

Jacob Stockdale was next to notch a try for Ireland but Japan rallied with a late try from Naoto Saito. A Joey Carbery penalty opened up an eight-point lead and Ireland held on for the win.

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