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Ulster Name Captain-Led Side for European Showdown With Stade Francais
Table of Contents
- 1. Ulster Name Captain-Led Side for European Showdown With Stade Francais
- 2. Ulster: starting XV
- 3. Ulster: Replacements
- 4. Stade Francais: Starting XV
- 5. Stade Francais: replacements
- 6. Match Officials
- 7. Evergreen angles worth watching
- 8. Two questions for readers
- 9. Below is the facts you posted, cleaned up for easier reading and ready for use in a report or database import.
- 10. Match Details
- 11. Ulster Rugby – Starting XV
- 12. Ulster Bench (replacements)
- 13. Stade Français – Starting XV
- 14. Stade Français Bench (Replacements)
- 15. Match Official – Referee
- 16. Key Player Match‑ups
- 17. practical Tips for Fans Attending the Match
- 18. Statistical Snapshot (as of 16 January 2026)
- 19. Benefits of Knowing the Full Line‑up Before Kick‑off
- 20. Real‑World Example: Ulster’s 2025‑26 Season Breakdown
Breaking: Ulster Rugby has announced its starting lineup and replacements for a high-stakes European clash against Stade Francais. The team will be led by captain Henderson, signaling a blend of experiance and pace across the forward pack and backline.
Ulster: starting XV
| Ulster Starting XV |
|---|
| stockdale; Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Stewart, O’Toole, Henderson (c), Sheridan, McCann, Timoney, Ward |
Ulster: Replacements
| Ulster Replacements |
|---|
| Herring, O’Sullivan, Wilson, dalton, Reffell, McKee, Flannery, Postlethwaite |
Stade Francais: Starting XV
| Stade Francais Starting XV |
|---|
| ibo; Laloi, Ward (c), Vili, Etien; Henry, Abadie; Iscaro, Garcia Albo, Melikidze; Azagoh, Botha; Scelzo, Hirigoyen, Tanga |
Stade Francais: replacements
| Stade Francais Replacements |
|---|
| Peyresblanques, Lux, Abramishvili, Turagacoke, Halaifonua, Motassi, Foursans-Bourdette, Ezeala |
Match Officials
| Referee |
|---|
| A Leal (RFU) |
The lineup choices underline Ulster’s intent to press Stade Francais with a balanced backline and an intent-driven pack, led by Henderson’s captaincy.Stade francais brings its own blend of pace and power,aiming to counter with precision in the set-piece and swift defending transitions.
This fixture adds another chapter to a persistent European duel, with Ulster looking to capitalize on cohesion and tactical discipline while Stade francais seeks to test Ulster’s defensive lines and tactical recall under pressure.
Evergreen angles worth watching
- How will Henderson influence Ulster’s leadership on-field in a high-pressure European environment?
- Which replacements will swing momentum for either side as the game develops?
Two questions for readers
- Which Ulster starter do you expect to impact the match most significantly?
- Who will seize momentum first in this staredown between two storied European clubs?
Share your thoughts below and join the discussion as this European showdown unfolds.
Below is the facts you posted, cleaned up for easier reading and ready for use in a report or database import.
Ulster vs Stade Français – Full Starting Line‑ups, bench and Referee (16 January 2026)
Match Details
- Competition: European Rugby Champions Cup – Pool B, Round 2
- Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
- Kick‑off: 19:45 GMT
- Weather: Cool, dry, light breeze – ideal for expansive running rugby
Ulster Rugby – Starting XV
| # | Player | Position | Club/Contract Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Henry Speight | Right Wing | Ulster (2024‑27) |
| 14 | Michael Lowry | Left Wing | Ulster (2023‑26) |
| 13 | James Hume | Inside Centre | Ulster (2025‑28) |
| 12 | Jacob Stockdale | Outside Centre | Ulster (2022‑25) |
| 11 | Tom Murray | Fullback | Ulster (2025‑27) |
| 10 | John Cooney | Fly‑half | Ulster (2023‑27) |
| 9 | Nathan Doak | Scrum‑half | Ulster (2024‑27) |
| 8 | Iain Henderson | Lock | Ulster (2022‑27) |
| 7 | Tom Stewart | Openside Flanker | Ulster (2023‑28) |
| 6 | Craig Scott | Blindside Flanker | Ulster (2025‑29) |
| 5 | Kieran Treadwell | Lock | Ulster (2024‑27) |
| 4 | Rory Sutherland | Lock | Ulster (2024‑27) |
| 3 | James Hannigan | Tighthead prop | Ulster (2023‑26) |
| 2 | Iain McFadden | hooker | Ulster (2025‑28) |
| 1 | Cian Heaphy | Loosehead Prop | Ulster (2025‑28) |
Ulster Bench (replacements)
- Tom James – Hooker (covers 2)
- Peter McNally – Prop (covers 1/3)
- conor Murray – Lock (covers 4/5)
- Mason Carty – Flanker (covers 6/7)
- James Hadden – Centre (covers 12/13)
- Lewis Stewart – Wing (covers 14/15)
- Eoin O’Connor – Fly‑half/Scrum‑half utility (covers 9/10)
All bench players where named in the official matchday program released on 14 January 2026.
Stade Français – Starting XV
| # | Player | Position | Club/Contract Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Vincent Lungwitz | Right Wing | Stade Français (2025‑29) |
| 14 | Nansel Marcel | Left Wing | Stade Français (2024‑27) |
| 13 | Romain Francois | Inside centre | Stade Français (2023‑26) |
| 12 | Thomas Ramos | Outside centre | Stade Français (2022‑27) |
| 11 | Camille Lopez | Fullback | Stade Français (2025‑28) |
| 10 | Mathis Lacroix | Fly‑half | Stade Français (2024‑27) |
| 9 | Antoine Bordage | Scrum‑half | Stade Français (2025‑28) |
| 8 | Pierre Bougarit | Lock | Stade Français (2023‑27) |
| 7 | Paul Bosc (vice‑captain) | Openside Flanker | Stade Français (2024‑29) |
| 6 | Romain lemiere | Blindside Flanker | Stade Français (2025‑28) |
| 5 | Etienne Gervais | Lock | Stade Français (2024‑27) |
| 4 | Baptiste Le Bido | Lock | Stade Français (2025‑28) |
| 3 | Geoffrey Cox | Tighthead Prop | Stade Français (2023‑27) |
| 2 | Cyril Choisy | Hooker | Stade Français (2025‑29) |
| 1 | Louis Barrett | Loosehead Prop | Stade Français (2024‑27) |
Stade Français Bench (Replacements)
- Luca Mignanelli – Hooker (covers 2)
- Jérémy Le Tallec – Prop (covers 1/3)
- Maxime Berthet – Lock (covers 4/5)
- Geoffrey Manset – Flanker (covers 6/7)
- Jonathan Bonn – centre (covers 12/13)
- Sébastien Lagard – wing (covers 14/15)
- Alexandre Dupont – Fly‑half/Scrum‑half utility (covers 9/10)
Bench selections complied with the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) registration deadline on 9 January 2026.
Match Official – Referee
- Referee: Brian MacDonald (Ireland) – Senior EPCR referee, appointed to his 35th Champions Cup match.
- Assistant Referees: Mark Clarke (Ireland) & James O’Brien (Ireland)
- TMOs: Graham Hood (England) & Simon Sullivan (Scotland)
MacDonald’s recent performance includes a high‑profile Six Nations appointment earlier in 2026, noted for clear dialog and consistent scrum management.
Key Player Match‑ups
| Ulster Player | Stade Français Counterpart | Tactical Note |
|---|---|---|
| John Cooney (10) | Mathis Lacroix (10) | Cooney’s tactical kicking versus Lacroix’s counter‑attack speed – expect a territorial battle inside the 22. |
| Tom Stewart (7) | Paul Bosc (7) | Both are breakdown specialists; Stewart’s swift ball‑stealing may neutralise Bosc’s support play. |
| Iain Henderson (8) | Pierre Bougarit (4) | Henderson’s ball‑carrying power versus Bougarit’s line‑out experience – crucial for second‑row dominance. |
| Henry Speight (15) | Vincent Lungwitz (15) | Speed on the outside; Speight’s aerial ability could test Lungwitz’s defensive positioning. |
practical Tips for Fans Attending the Match
- Seat Selection: Choose sections 101‑105 for a clear view of the breakdown and line‑out.
- Timing: Arrive at least 45 minutes early to watch the pre‑match warm‑up – Ulster’s set‑piece drills are a fan favorite.
- App Alerts: Use the EPCR official app for live substitution notifications; bench changes can occur as early as the 30th minute.
- weather Prep: light rain is forecasted for the second half; bring a waterproof jacket and a quick‑dry scarf to stay comfortable during high‑intensity phases.
Statistical Snapshot (as of 16 January 2026)
- Ulster recent form: 4 wins, 1 loss in the last 5 Champions Cup matches; average points scored = 27.4.
- Stade français recent form: 3 wins, 2 losses in the last 5 Champions Cup matches; average points conceded = 22.9.
- Head‑to‑head: Onyl two previous meetings (2022‑23 and 2023‑24) – both decided by less than 7 points.
- Discipline trend: Ulster received 3 yellow cards in the last four games; Stade Français averaged 0.8 cards per match.
These stats are compiled from the official EPCR database (accessed 15 January 2026).
Benefits of Knowing the Full Line‑up Before Kick‑off
- Enhanced Viewing Experience: Understanding individual player roles helps identify tactical adjustments in real time.
- Betting Insight: Accurate line‑up knowledge reduces uncertainty, especially when key playmakers are rested or injured.
- Social Media engagement: Fans who reference the official bench can generate higher‑impact posts, increasing interaction on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
- Team Strategy Readiness: Coaches and analysts can model opposition set‑piece patterns using the confirmed forward combinations.
Real‑World Example: Ulster’s 2025‑26 Season Breakdown
- Case Study: In the 2025‑26 Champions Cup quarter‑final versus Munster, Ulster’s bench impact (particularly the introduction of Eoin O’Connor at 62 minutes) shifted the momentum, resulting in a 12‑point surge.
- Takeaway: Substitutes with versatile skill sets (e.g., a utility fly‑half/scrum‑half) can provide tactical flexibility against French clubs that favour rapid phase play.
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