Ulster welcome back two Irish international stars, with Guinness Six Nations Player of the Tournament nominee, Stuart McCloskey, and Nick Timoney back in the starting XV for the first time since January.
Fly-half, James Humphreys, makes his first senior start for his province this weekend.
In the front row, experienced prop, Eric O’Sullivan, comes back in to start at loosehead alongside record appearance holding hooker Rob Herring. Academy prop, Tom McAllister, makes his second start at tighthead, after making an impression on his debut against Edinburgh Rugby earlier this month.
In an unchanged second row, captain Iain Henderson starts alongside Joe Hopes in the forward engine room.
The back row has two changes from last week, with Timoney returning at openside flanker and Academy forward, Bryn Ward starting at number eight. David McCann starts once again at blindside flanker.
It was announced yesterday that Ward will move onto a senior contract next season following his impressive breakthrough campaign.
Scrum-half Conor McKee starts alongside Humphreys at ten.
There are two changes in the backline, with Stuart McCloskey partnering James Hume, who is back after his return from concussion, in the midfield.
Zac Ward starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right. Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back.
Murphy has plenty of impact to call upon from the bench, with James McCormick, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton and Juarno Augustus the forward cover.
Nathan Doak, Ben Carson and Ben Moxham are the backline options.
Zebre Parma v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 28th March, Round 14, BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Live on Premier Sports and URC.tv)
(Player appearances in brackets)
1. Eric O’Sullivan (133)
2. Rob Herring (267)
3. Tom McAllister (1)
4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (172)
5. Joe Hopes (9)
6. David McCann (84)
7. Nick Timoney (177)
8. Bryn Ward (12)
9. Conor McKee (15)
10. James Humphreys (6)
11. Zac Ward (22)
12. Stuart McCloskey (212)
13. James Hume (113)
14. Werner Kok (28)
15. Ethan McIlroy (71)
Replacements:
16. James McCormick (13)
17. Angus Bell (10)
18. Scott Wilson (50)
19. Matthew Dalton (22)
20. Juarno Augustus (10)
21. Nathan Doak (102)
22. Ben Carson (18)
23. Ben Moxham (39)