Cooney & McCloskey return as Kok earns first Ulster start

John Cooney and Stuart McCloskey are among those recalled to an Ulster squad showing 8 changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship crippled against nan Lions successful Johannesburg (11:55 BST).

Cooney has recovered from a hamstring wounded to switch Nathan Doak astatine scrum-half while McCloskey is backmost to partner Stewart Moore successful midfield.

South African winger Werner Kok earns his first commencement aft coming disconnected nan chair successful past week's triumph complete URC champions Glasgow successful Belfast.

There are 5 changes successful nan pack. Andy Warwick and Tom O'Toole switch Eric O'Sullivan and Corrie Barrett arsenic nan props pinch Alan O'Connor captaining nan squad from nan 2nd statement alongside Kieran Treadwell.

Matty Rea and Sean Reffell are recalled arsenic nan flankers. Head coach Richie Murphy - who is without Emerging Ireland players - Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Harry Sheridan - opts for a divided of six forwards and 2 backs connected nan bench.

Ulster hit nan Lions successful Belfast past play but mislaid some of their matches successful South Africa successful March, losing to nan Sharks and nan Stormers.

After Saturday's game, Ulster recreation to Pretoria to look nan Bulls connected 5 October.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole; Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt); Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.

Listen to Lions v Ulster connected BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle & BBC Sport website from 11:45 BST connected Saturday.