Ireland international Rob Herring returns for Ulster on Friday night, one of five changes to Richie Murphy's side as they look to keep their slim hopes of reaching the Investec Champions Cup knockout stage alive.
The province need a bonus-point win at home to the Exeter Chiefs if the are to stand any change of qualifying for the Round of 16, while a win of any kind would guarantee them a place in the Challenge Cup.
Herring missed the last two games due to injury, but the hooker comes into the starting side in place of John Andrew, while Eric O'Sullivan is also drafted into the front row at loosehead prop, with Scott Wilson retained at tighthead.
Captain Iain Henderson starts at second row, where he is joined by fellow Ireland international Cormac Izuchukwu.
Murphy has also retained his back row from last week's defeat to Leicester. James McNabney starts at flanker, having been called up as a development player to the Ireland Six Nations squad, while Nick Timoney and David McCann continue in the side.
Nathan Doak is picked at scrum-half, while Jack Murphy comes in for Aidan Morgan at out-half, making his first Champions Cup start.
Ben Carson and Jude Postlethwaite start in the centre for the third game in a row, while Stewart Moore returns at full-back, replacing Ethan McIlroy who picked up a serious knee injury last week.
Mike Lowry comes in for Zac Ward on the left wing, with Werner Kok continuing in the 14 shirt.
On the bench, there's a return for winger Rob Lyttle, who has agreed a short-term deal to return to the province.
The 27-year-old previously played 64 times for his native province before departing in the summer of 2023, and has been drafted in as injury cover after impressing with Banbridge in Division 2A of the Energia All Ireland League.
Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Mike Lowry; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson; Iain Henderson (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, John Cooney, Jake Flannery, Rob Lyttle
Meanwhile, JJ Hanrahan (above) will make his return from an ACL injury in Connacht's Challenge Cup Pool 1 finale away to Cardiff.
The out-half is named on the bench for the game at the Cardiff Arm's Park, just under nine months on from suffering the knee injury away to the Dragons last April.
Connacht are already guaranteed to top their pool, but head coach Pete Wilkins is going all out to secure the number one seed, with Ireland internationals Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast all retained in the starting side.
Wilkins has made four changes to his starting team from last week's win at home to Lyon, with just one of those coming in the backline as Byron Ralston starts on the left wing in place of Shane Jennings.
Ben Murphy - who was included as a development player in Ireland's Six Nations squad this week - starts alongside Josh Ioane in the half-backs, with Aki and Piers O'Connor in the centre.
Chay Mullins continues on the right wing, while Santiago Cordero is in his preferred position of full-back.
The front row is unchanged, with Dave Heffernan packing down between Peter Dooley and Bealham.
Josh Murphy returns to the starting team at lock where he partners Joe Joyce, while Paul Boyle and Conor Oliver both join the captain, Prendergast, in the back row.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Piers O'Conor, Bundee Aki, Byron Ralston; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce; Cian Prendergast (c), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, David O'Connor, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, JJ Hanrahan, David Hawkshaw.
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