Jared Payne will start at fullback for Ulster in Saturday's Champions Cup game against Saracens at Allianz Park (kick off 3.15pm).
The Ireland international will be making his first appearance of the season for the Province after overcoming a foot injury he picked up during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
He is joined in the back three by Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble, who earned his 200th Ulster cap against Munster a fortnight ago. Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continue their impressive partnership in midfield, while influential half backs Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson occupy the half back positions.
Kyle McCall, man of the match and Kingspan MVP in Sunday’s 23-24 win over Oyonnax, is named in the front row alongside captain Rory Best and Wiehahn Herbst, who has recovered from a calf strain.
Franco van der Merwe and Alan O’Connor will reunite in the second row, with Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy and Roger Wilson selected in the back row. Chris Henry has been ruled out with a slight shoulder injury.
Rob Herring, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson and Clive Ross are providing cover for the forwards, while Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys and Rory Scholes are the backline replacements.
Ulster team and replacements to play Saracens, European Rugby Champions Cup, Allianz Park, 3.15pm:
(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (capt), W Herbst; A O’Connor, F van der Merwe; R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, R Lutton, L Stevenson, C Ross, P Marshall, I Humphreys, R Scholes.
The match will be televised live on BT Sport, while BBC Radio Ulster MW and RTE Radio will also provide commentary and analysis.
Up next at Kingspan Stadium:
Ulster v Oyonnax, Champions Cup Round 6
Saturday 23rd January 2016, 1pm
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Guinness PRO12
Friday 5th February 2016, 7.35pm
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12
Friday 12th February 2016, 7.30pm
The Ireland international will be making his first appearance of the season for the Province after overcoming a foot injury he picked up during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
He is joined in the back three by Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble, who earned his 200th Ulster cap against Munster a fortnight ago. Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continue their impressive partnership in midfield, while influential half backs Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson occupy the half back positions.
Kyle McCall, man of the match and Kingspan MVP in Sunday’s 23-24 win over Oyonnax, is named in the front row alongside captain Rory Best and Wiehahn Herbst, who has recovered from a calf strain.
Franco van der Merwe and Alan O’Connor will reunite in the second row, with Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy and Roger Wilson selected in the back row. Chris Henry has been ruled out with a slight shoulder injury.
Rob Herring, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson and Clive Ross are providing cover for the forwards, while Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys and Rory Scholes are the backline replacements.
Ulster team and replacements to play Saracens, European Rugby Champions Cup, Allianz Park, 3.15pm:
(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (capt), W Herbst; A O’Connor, F van der Merwe; R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, R Lutton, L Stevenson, C Ross, P Marshall, I Humphreys, R Scholes.
The match will be televised live on BT Sport, while BBC Radio Ulster MW and RTE Radio will also provide commentary and analysis.
Up next at Kingspan Stadium:
Ulster v Oyonnax, Champions Cup Round 6
Saturday 23rd January 2016, 1pm
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Guinness PRO12
Friday 5th February 2016, 7.35pm
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12
Friday 12th February 2016, 7.30pm