Iain Henderson will make his first provincial appearance since October in Friday night's crucial BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Munster in Belfast.
The second row hasn't played since suffering a back spasm shortly before the province’s URC meeting with Benetton at the start of December.
Henderson is one of six changes made by head coach Richie Murphy, who also welcomes experienced hooker Rob Herring back to his bench since last week's win at Connacht.
Two of the changes come in the front row, where Australia international Angus Bell and Ireland international Tom O’Toole come in for Sam Crean and Scott Wilson, joining in-form hooker Tom Stewart.
Henderson and Joe Hopes form a new second row partnership, with Harry Sheridan and David McCann on the bench, while Cormac Izuchukwu shifts back to blindside flanker.
Nick Timoney continues on the openside flank, while Bryn Ward comes in at number eight for his first home start, replacing the injured Juarno Augustus.
Nathan Doak returns to the starting side at scrum-half, with the province also confirming the 24-year-old has signed a contract extension, keeping him at Ulster until the summer of 2028.
The rest of the backline is unchanged, with Jack Murphy continuing at out-half, and Stuart McCloskey and James Hume in the centre.
In-form pair Zac Ward and Werner Kok are named on the wings, with Jacob Stockdale completing the side at full-back.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan will rest his frontline Ireland internationals, with a heavily rotated side for their opening game of 2026.
Captain Tadhg Beirne (above), Jack Crowley and Craig Casey are all rested, as is Gavin Coombes, among 10 changes for their derby at Affidea Stadium.
Calvin Nash, who was a late withdrawal from last week's lineup against Leinster due to illness, is among those who comes into the first XV.
Diarmuid Barron will captain the side from hooker, replacing Lee Barron in the front row, while Josh Wycherley comes in for Michael Milne at loosehead prop, and Michael Ala’alatoa continues at tighthead.
Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley both come into the second row, with Edwin Edogbo and Beirne dropping out, and Tom Ahern shifting to the back row.
John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen also come into the back row, with Jack O’Donoghue on the bench, and Coombes not included in the matchday squad.
Paddy Patterson and JJ Hanrahan start in the half-backs, with Casey and Crowley rested, and last week’s try-scorer Dan Kelly replaces Tom Farrell in the centre where he joins Alex Nankivell.
Thaakir Abrahams continues on the left wing, with Nash coming in for Shane Daly on the right, and Mike Haley going again at full-back.
Back row Brian Gleeson is named among the replacements, his first appearance since suffering a broken arm against Leinster in October.
Ulster: Jacob Stockdale; Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole; Iain Henderson (capt), Joe Hopes; Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Bryn Ward
Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Conor Bartley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.
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