New signing Angus Bell will make his debut for Ulster in Friday night's EPCR Challenge Cup opener against Racing 92 in Belfast.
The Australia international, who has joined the province until the end of the season, is named among the replacements for the visit of the Parisians to Affidea Stadium.
The province are without captain Iain Henderson who suffered a back spasm last week, while Stuart McCloskey remains sidelined with a groin injury, but head coach Richie Murphy has named an otherwise strong team, with five changes from last week’s impressive win against Benetton.
Ireland internationals Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole both return to the starting side in the front row, packing down alongside loosehead Sam Crean, with Bell, Tom Stewart and Scott Wilson providing impressive cover off the bench.
Charlie Irvine comes in at second row for the injured Matthew Dalton, joining Harry Sheridan.
The back row is unchanged, with Nick Timoney captaining the side in Henderson’s absence, with David McCann and Juarno Augustus completing the pack.
Behind the scrum, it’s a first-choice half-back partnership of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy, while Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume are retained in the centre.
Zac Ward returns to the left wing in place of Werner Kok, with Rob Baloucoune on the right, and Jacob Stockdale at full-back.
This will be Ulster’s first time ever competing in the Challenge Cup from the pool stage, having failed to secure qualification for the Champions Cup.
The province have made an impressive start to the new season, however, with four wins from their opening five games in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Ulster: Jacob Stockdale; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Harry Sheridan, Charlie Irvine; David McCann, Nick Timoney (capt) Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore.
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