Stuart McCloskey is set to make history this weekend as he reaches a significant milestone in his rugby career, marking his 200th appearance for Ulster. The 32-year-old centre, who debuted for the province against the Dragons back in 2014, will take the field against the Stormers at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast during the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night, March 28, 2025. This achievement makes him the 11th player in Ulster’s history to reach such a landmark.
Reflecting on this moment, McCloskey expressed his surprise at how quickly the milestone has approached. “It’s very special,” he said. “It’s not something I’ve really thought about an awful lot until my dad reminded me at the start of the week and I thought ‘Oh, flip’. It’s really crept up on me.” He also acknowledged the significance of joining the ranks of some of Ulster’s greats, saying, “There’s some amazing players in there, some guys I’ve played with for most of my career, so it’ll be nice to join them.”
The match against the Stormers is critical for both teams as they vie for a better position in the URC standings. Currently, Ulster sits in ninth place, while the Stormers are just above them in eighth. Both teams have been on a winning streak, with Ulster coming off back-to-back victories against Welsh teams Scarlets and Dragons, while the Stormers have also secured wins against the Bulls and Scarlets.
Kick-off for the match is set for 7:35 PM, and fans can catch the action live on BBC Two NI, as well as streaming options available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website. The atmosphere at Kingspan Stadium is expected to be electric as the home crowd rallies behind their team.
As the two teams prepare for battle, the Stormers are gearing up for a physical contest, with assistant coach Rito Hlungwani emphasizing the need to match Ulster’s physicality. “They play more of a physical game [than the other Irish teams] and have a massive pack of forwards,” Hlungwani noted. “It’s going to be a high-impact, high-collision type of game.”
Despite the anticipated physical nature of the match, the Stormers will aim to maintain their attacking style, which has proven effective in recent outings. After a strong performance last week, where they showcased their offensive capabilities, the Stormers are keen to replicate that success against Ulster.
In terms of team lineups, Ulster will field a strong side with McCloskey at the heart of their midfield. The starting lineup includes Mike Lowry at fullback, Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale on the wings, and John Cooney at scrum-half. The forward pack features Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, and Tom O'Toole in the front row, with Kieran Treadwell and Alan O'Connor in the second row, and Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, and David McCann making up the back row.
The Stormers, on the other hand, will be led by their dynamic eighthman Evan Roos, who has been in scintillating form. The Stormers' lineup includes Damian Willemse at fullback, Leolin Zas and Ben Loader on the wings, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half. Their pack boasts Alistair Vermaak, Joseph Dweba, and Neethling Fouche in the front row, with Ruben van Heerden and Connor Evans in the second row, complemented by a back row featuring Dave Ewers, Marcel Theunissen, and Roos.
Both teams have had their share of ups and downs this season, with Ulster recording three wins and two losses in their last five matches, while the Stormers have also won two and lost three in the same span. Historically, Ulster holds a slight edge in their recent meetings, leading 19-16 in points average over the last five encounters. However, the Stormers have won four of those matches, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
The stakes are high as both teams look to solidify their positions in the playoff race. With just a few rounds left in the pool stage, every point counts. A win for Ulster could propel them into the playoff contention, while a Stormers victory would provide them with a crucial buffer in the standings.
As the match approaches, the excitement builds not only for McCloskey’s milestone but also for the fierce competition expected on the pitch. Fans from both sides are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown, filled with intense action and skillful rugby.
With the match kicking off shortly, all eyes will be on Kingspan Stadium as Ulster takes on the Stormers. Will McCloskey celebrate his 200th appearance with a victory? Or will the Stormers continue their winning ways and push Ulster further down the standings? One thing is for sure: this clash is set to be a thrilling encounter.
