Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made seven changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash with Munster at Affidea Stadium (17:30 BST), with Ireland internationals Stuart Mc Closkey and Nick Timoney both included in the starting line-up. Mc Closkey, who started all three of Ireland's Nations Championship matches in July, returns at inside centre, forming a new midfield partnership with summer signing Jamie Benson. It will be the 34-year-old's 218th Ulster appearance, moving him alongside former captain Rory Best in joint-third on the province's all-time cap list.
Timoney returns to the back row alongside Cormac Izuchukwu, who shifts back from the second row, and Juarno Augustus. Recent recruits Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row. Nathan Doak makes his first start of the season at scrum-half, while Jack Murphy is retained at 10 following a try-scoring display in last week's 33-33 draw with Glasgow. Jacob Stockdale will make his 150th appearance on the left wing a week later than planned after injury forced him out of the Glasgow game. Robert Baloucoune returns on the right wing after missing the trip to Scotstoun with concussion.
Munster, who earned an impressive bonus-point win over the Bulls last weekend, are boosted by the return of captain Tadhg Beirne from injury. The British and Irish Lions second row is one of nine changes made by head coach Clayton Mc Millan. JJ Hanrahan is reinstalled at fly-half, and 20-year-old Charlie O'Shea is named among the replacements after starring against the Bulls last week.
Mc Millan praised Hanrahan's performance against Glasgow and his handling of the end game against the Bulls. He also highlighted O'Shea's rapid rise, noting it is hard to believe he joined the squad less than two months ago. Munster won 41-14 when the provinces last met at Thomond Park in April, while Ulster triumphed 28-3 in the last meeting in Belfast on New Year's Day.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing