Ulster v Munster: Teams

Stephen Ferris: blindside flanker will win his 100th cap for the Irish province

It's our first derby of the season and there's a lot of history between the two teams so it should be a great occasion.

Mark Anscombe
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Ulster and Munster have both made changes to their line-ups for Friday's mouth-watering PRO12 clash at Ravenhill.

Mark Anscombe has made seven changes for Ulster, including welcoming back Stephen Ferris at blindside flanker for his 100th cap for the province.

Tom Court, John Afoa and Nigel Brady will start in an all new front-row, replacing Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick and Rob Herring respectively.

In the backs, Andrew Trimble has been promoted to a starting berth on the right wing, replacing Craig Gilroy, while Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson, who were also on the bench last week, come into the half-back positions.

Ireland internationals Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy have not been included in the match day squad despite being named in the extended squad on Tuesday.

"It's our first derby of the season and there's a lot of history between the two teams so it should be a great occasion," Anscombe said.

"They will be the best team we've played against so far this year and their history shows what they're capable of doing.

"There's no prouder union in the competition than Munster and there's never going to be an easy game against them so we need to perform to our capabilities to come away with a win.

"I'm really hoping that we get a big home crowd out to support us and I really want us to get a victory."

Penney changes

Meanwhile, Munster coach Rob Penney has made three alterations to his pack for the fixture.

In the front-row, Dave Kilcoyrne and BJ Botha, who will face his former side, come into the starting XV in place of Wian du Preez and Stephen Archer respectively.

Donncha O'Callaghan joins Billy Holland in the second-row while Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara and Keith Earls are amongst the replacements as they return to club duty.

New boy Casey Laulala is relishing Munster's first all-Ireland clash of the season, saying: "Ulster are a very good side.

"The crowd is a big factor especially up there and they have been a big factor in their success over the last few years.

"We're aware of that. We're preparing for a big match and I think it'll be the first really big test for us as well in terms of what we want to do."

Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Michael Allen, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Sean Doyle, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Peter Nelson, 23 Craig Gilroy.

Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett (capt), 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Luke O'Dea, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Keith Earls.

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