Ulster v Munster: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 02/01/16 4:04pm
Andrew Trimble will become the first player to make 200 appearances for Ulster when he runs out against Munster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
The Ireland international made his debut for the club in September 2005, and has gone on to score 67 tries in 199 games since.
The winger is part of an unchanged backline from the side that secured a 10-3 win over Connacht last weekend. On the opposite wing Rory Scholes makes an appearance, while full-back Louis Ludik completes the back three.
Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall are named in the midfield while Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar form the half-back pairing for the Irish derby.
Rory Best captains the side from hooker in one of four changes to the forwards. Director of rugby Les Kiss has also recalled loosehead prop Kyle McCall to the front row alongside Wiehahn Herbst, who remains at tighthead.
Lewis Stevenson has earned a start in the second row, where he partners Franco van der Merwe. Chris Henry has overcome a slight shoulder concern and is selected at openside flanker, while Robbie Diack and No 8 Nick Williams retain their places from last week.
Munster's Tommy O'Donnell makes his first start of the season after he came on as a replacement in his side's loss to Leinster last weekend.
Head coach Anthony Foley has made seven changes to the starting XV for Saturday's round 11 encounter. The withdrawal of James Cronin sees Dave Kilcoyne start in the No 1 jersey, where he joins BJ Botha and hooker Mike Sherry in the front row.
Mark Chisholm makes a return to the second row where he links up with O'Donnell, and in the back row Jack O'Donoghue moves to the blindside, with skipper CJ Stander continuing at No 8.
There are three changes to the backline as Ian Keatley partners Tomás O'Leary in the half-backs, while Rory Scannell - who this week signed a two-year senior contract - continues his midfield partnership with Francis Saili.
Replacement scrum-half Duncan Williams is in line to make 100 appearances for Munster if he is called from the bench.
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rory Scholes, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Kyle McCall, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Nick Williams.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Ricky Lutton, 19 Alan O'Connor, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Sammy Arnold.
Munster: 15 Andrew Conway, 14 Ronan O'Mahony, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Tomás O'Leary, 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Mike Sherry, 3 BJ Botha, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Mark Chisholm, 6 Jack O'Donoghue, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 CJ Stander (c).
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 John Ryan, 18 Mario Sagario, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Denis Hurley.
