Ulster have changed all but one of their team for tomorrow's EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final with Exeter Chiefs (5.30pm), as Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney are among multiple players to return from injury.
Mike Lowry is the only player to keep his place in the starting team from last week’s 41-14 defeat to Munster at Thomond Park.
Richie Murphy is still without props Angus Bell, Scott Wilson and centre James Hume, but their injury crisis does appear to be clearing up in time for the business end of the season.
O’Toole comes in to start at tighthead prop, with Sam Crean and hooker Tom Stewart joining him in the front row, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan and Tom McAllister in reserve.
Captain Iain Henderson also returns in the second row, where he is joined by Cormac Izuchukwu, as Charlie Irvine drops to the bench.
Timoney – who missed the last two games – comes in at openside flanker with David McCann on the blindside, and Juarno Augustus is at number 8, with Bryn Ward shaking off a minor knock to provide cover on the bench.
Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy team up in their usual half-back roles, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy providing backline cover among the replacements.
Jude Postlethwaite is another to come back from injury in the centre, where he joins Stuart McCloskey.
Jacob Stockdale and Zac Ward start on the wings, with Lowry the only man to retain his place in the starting team at full-back.
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Zac Ward, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole; Iain Henderson (capt), Cormac Izuzhukwu; David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom McAllister, Charlie Irvine, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.
Exeter: Ben Hammersley; Campbell Ridl, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney; Scott Sio, Max Norey, Bachuki Tchumbadze; Dafydd Jenkins (capt), Andrea Zambonin; Tom Hooper, Christ Tshiunza, Ross Vintcent.
Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Rusi Tuima, Finn Worley Brady, Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood, Nick Lilley.
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