Munster v Ulster: Teams

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Munster manager Shaun Payne has admitted his side's performances have "not been up to scratch" ahead of the visit of Ulster.

Munster are only five points off the pace and while they are unbeaten at home, their away form has been erratic.

And Payne knows that it is vital for his side to improve if they are to topple league leaders Ulster.

"We are acutely aware that our performances to date haven't been up to scratch and we'll be looking to do something about that Saturday," he said.

"There has been a fair bit of disruption recently but we're not using that as an excuse.

"I think there has been parts of our play that has been very good at times in recent games but we're lacking consistency and that's an area we're looking to improve.

"There's also a confidence factor when things aren't going the way you have planned so if we can get a little rhythm into our play, get the confidence levels up then I think we'll see a performance nearer to what we expect of ourselves."

Munster have made two changes for the clash, with academy prop Stephen Archer replacing the injured Darragh Hurley and Alan Quinlan named in the back-row ahead of the benched Niall Ronan.

Wary

Ulster will be boosted by the return of two of their key men for the trip to Munster.

Captain Paddy Wallace is free to play again after being rested, while Stephen Ferris is fit again to come into the pack. Ed O'Donoghue also replaces an injured Dan Tuohy.

However despite having Wallace and Ferris back, head coach Brian McLaughlin is taking nothing for granted.

"You've always got to be wary of Munster," said McLaughlin.

"When you think of what has happened to them in the past month, they are going to want to get back on track. They are playing at Thomond, where they're extremely strong, so we are under no illusions about what we're going to face down there.

"It will be a very confrontational full-strength Munster side, so it's going to be a very hard game. We just have to concern ourselves with going down there with the right attitude, playing with the confidence we have been and looking for a good performance.

"It's going to be a good check for us. It's going to be a good place to go, take them on and test ourselves.

"The season is relentless. Yes, after Munster there is a short break, but then we have Glasgow at home followed by two really tight back-to-back games against Stade Francais.

"So it's about us playing consistently at our best. That's what will determine our season."

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Ian Dowling, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (capt), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Niall Ronan, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Denis Hurley, 22 Felix Jones.

Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Tamaiti Horua, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Simon Danielli.