Ulster v Munster: Teams

Munster have made six changes to the side that beat Connacht as they travel north to face Ulster this Saturday.

Two of the six alterations are forced on head coach Tony McGahan though, as Felix Jones (neck) and Nick Williams (knee) miss out.

Denis Hurley switches from the wing where he has impressed in the last three games to full-back, while James Coughlan should prove a more than able replacement for his Dolphin club colleague Williams in the number eight slot.

The other change up front sees Wian du Preez replace the injured Julien Brugnaut (groin), while McGahan's bench has a decidedly youthful look.

With Ronan O'Gara amongst the players being rested as part of the IRFU Player Management Programme, Paul Warwick slips into the number ten jersey and Mick O'Driscoll will captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Paul O'Connell.

Exciting

Munster, although buoyed by their 35-3 bonus point win over Connacht last time out, will need no reminding of the type of challenge that they face in Saturday's sold-out game.

"Obviously the double loss to Ulster last season isn't forgotten in a hurry. Those hurt a lot," said Munster Team Manager Shaun Payne.

"Ulster are an excellent side. They can attack you from anywhere on the pitch, they have exciting young players, some guys really coming through.

"Obviously they have players like (Stephen) Ferris, but I think (Ian) Humphreys as well is someone who is really doing well. They have (Darren) Cave in the centre too and a couple of really exciting back-line players and an excellent back row.

"We lost to them twice last season so I don't need to be talking them up at all and we know that the job that faces us, especially up there at Ravenhill.

"We haven't had a whole heap of success up there and this is always a massive game for us."

Ulster team news to follow...

Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Billy Holland, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (capt), 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Stephen Archer, 18 Peter O'Mahony, 19 Tommy O'Donnell, 20 Duncan Williams, 21 Scott Deasy, 22 Tom Gleeson.