Ulster's Director of Rugby Les Kiss has made eight changes to the team for this weekend's European Rugby Champions Cup tie with Oyonnax at Stade Charles-Mathon (kick off 1pm GMT).
In line with the player management programme which he and Neil Doak outlined earlier this week, Kiss will rest some established players who've completed a long sequence of games over December and the New Year, but he's delighted to welcome Craig Gilroy back into the starting line up. The Ireland winger will return to the team at fullback, with Louis Ludik providing cover from a strong bench.
Sammy Arnold will start his first European game on the right wing, with Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continuing their midfield partnership. Rory Scholes occupies the left wing berth.
Ian Humphreys and Paul Marshall are selected at half-back with Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar named on an experienced replacements' panel.
Prop Wiehahn Herbst hasn't recovered from a knock he received last weekend; Ricky Lutton takes his place in the front row alongside Captain Rory Best and Kyle McCall.
Callum Black, Rob Herring and Bronson Ross will provide front row cover from the bench.
Lewis Stevenson replaces Alan O'Connor, who also hasn't recovered from a knock he picked up against Munster, in the second row alongside Franco van der Merwe.
There is one change in the back row, after a physically demanding stretch of games, Nick Williams is replaced at number 8 by Roger Wilson. Williams will be joined by Sean Reidy on the bench. Robbie Diack and Chris Henry remain on the flanks.
Ulster team and replacements to face Oyonnax, Champions Cup Rescheduled Fixture, Stade Charles-Mathon, Sunday 10th January, 2016 (kick off 1.00pm GMT):
(15-9): C Gilroy; S Arnold, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; I Humphreys, P Marshall;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (capt), R Lutton; L Stevenson, F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, B Ross, N Williams, Sean Reidy, R Pienaar, P Jackson, L Ludik.
The match will be televised live on Sky Sports 2 from 12:45pm, and full commentary and analysis on BBC Radio Ulster MW from 12:45pm.
Up next at Kingspan Stadium:
Ulster v Oyonnax, Champions Cup Round 6, Saturday 23rd January 2016, kick off 1pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Guinness PRO12, Friday 5th February 2016, kick off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12, Friday 12th February 2016, kick off 7.30pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
In line with the player management programme which he and Neil Doak outlined earlier this week, Kiss will rest some established players who've completed a long sequence of games over December and the New Year, but he's delighted to welcome Craig Gilroy back into the starting line up. The Ireland winger will return to the team at fullback, with Louis Ludik providing cover from a strong bench.
Sammy Arnold will start his first European game on the right wing, with Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continuing their midfield partnership. Rory Scholes occupies the left wing berth.
Ian Humphreys and Paul Marshall are selected at half-back with Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar named on an experienced replacements' panel.
Prop Wiehahn Herbst hasn't recovered from a knock he received last weekend; Ricky Lutton takes his place in the front row alongside Captain Rory Best and Kyle McCall.
Callum Black, Rob Herring and Bronson Ross will provide front row cover from the bench.
Lewis Stevenson replaces Alan O'Connor, who also hasn't recovered from a knock he picked up against Munster, in the second row alongside Franco van der Merwe.
There is one change in the back row, after a physically demanding stretch of games, Nick Williams is replaced at number 8 by Roger Wilson. Williams will be joined by Sean Reidy on the bench. Robbie Diack and Chris Henry remain on the flanks.
Ulster team and replacements to face Oyonnax, Champions Cup Rescheduled Fixture, Stade Charles-Mathon, Sunday 10th January, 2016 (kick off 1.00pm GMT):
(15-9): C Gilroy; S Arnold, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; I Humphreys, P Marshall;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (capt), R Lutton; L Stevenson, F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, B Ross, N Williams, Sean Reidy, R Pienaar, P Jackson, L Ludik.
The match will be televised live on Sky Sports 2 from 12:45pm, and full commentary and analysis on BBC Radio Ulster MW from 12:45pm.
Up next at Kingspan Stadium:
Ulster v Oyonnax, Champions Cup Round 6, Saturday 23rd January 2016, kick off 1pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Guinness PRO12, Friday 5th February 2016, kick off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12, Friday 12th February 2016, kick off 7.30pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.