The Ulster squad has been confirmed for Saturday's crunch game versus Munster in what is the final round of the Guinness PRO14 regular season (Thomond Park, 5.35pm).
Jono Gibbes’ men need to register a bonus point win in Limerick, while also hoping for Edinburgh to gain no points from their tie with Glasgow, in order to earn a play-off spot next weekend.
Rory Best returns to the captain the side from hooker and he will be joined in the front row by Callum Black and Ross Kane.
Iain Henderson is back in the second row alongside Alan O’Connor after missing last week’s win over Glasgow, while an injury to Jean Deysel means Clive Ross will wear the number 6 jersey. He slots into the back row with Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney.
With John Cooney unavailable due to concussion, Dave Shanahan starts at scrumhalf, with Johnny McPhillips continuing in the flyhalf role.
Stuart McCloskey, who was Man of the Match in last week’s four-try success, is once again partnered in midfield by Luke Marshall.
Charles Piutau is unavailable for family reasons, so Louis Ludik occupies the fullback berth as Jacob Stockdale and Craig Gilroy start on the wings.
Retiring duo Paul Marshall and Tommy Bowe are named on the bench along with Irish U20 star Angus Curtis, who will be hoping for more game time after making his debut last weekend.
Rob Herring, Andy Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Chris Henry are the forward replacements.
Ulster Rugby team to play Munster, Saturday 28th April at Thomond Park, kick-off 5.35pm:
(15-9): L Ludik; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, J McPhillips, D Shanahan;
(1-8): C Black, R Best (captain), R Kane, A O'Connor, I Henderson, C Ross, S Reidy, N Timoney;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, T O'Toole, K Treadwell, C Henry, P Marshall, A Curtis, T Bowe.
Jono Gibbes’ men need to register a bonus point win in Limerick, while also hoping for Edinburgh to gain no points from their tie with Glasgow, in order to earn a play-off spot next weekend.
Rory Best returns to the captain the side from hooker and he will be joined in the front row by Callum Black and Ross Kane.
Iain Henderson is back in the second row alongside Alan O’Connor after missing last week’s win over Glasgow, while an injury to Jean Deysel means Clive Ross will wear the number 6 jersey. He slots into the back row with Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney.
With John Cooney unavailable due to concussion, Dave Shanahan starts at scrumhalf, with Johnny McPhillips continuing in the flyhalf role.
Stuart McCloskey, who was Man of the Match in last week’s four-try success, is once again partnered in midfield by Luke Marshall.
Charles Piutau is unavailable for family reasons, so Louis Ludik occupies the fullback berth as Jacob Stockdale and Craig Gilroy start on the wings.
Retiring duo Paul Marshall and Tommy Bowe are named on the bench along with Irish U20 star Angus Curtis, who will be hoping for more game time after making his debut last weekend.
Rob Herring, Andy Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Chris Henry are the forward replacements.
Ulster Rugby team to play Munster, Saturday 28th April at Thomond Park, kick-off 5.35pm:
(15-9): L Ludik; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, J McPhillips, D Shanahan;
(1-8): C Black, R Best (captain), R Kane, A O'Connor, I Henderson, C Ross, S Reidy, N Timoney;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, T O'Toole, K Treadwell, C Henry, P Marshall, A Curtis, T Bowe.