Ulster have named their side to take on Magners League champions the Neath Swansea Ospreys for their opening game in the competition on Friday evening.
Trialist Adam D’Arcy retains his place at full-back after an impressive showing last week against Leeds. Tommy Seymour switches to the right wing in place of the injured Craig Gilroy, David McIlwaine comes in on the left wing, while Paul Marshall returns at scrumhalf having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in the opening friendly against Bath last month.
Up front, there is no change to the starting line-up that defeated Leeds in the final pre-season friendly last week.
Stephen Ferris starts in the back row, having missed Ireland’s tour of the southern hemisphere through injury, while fellow Irish internationals Tom Court and Paddy Wallace have been named on the bench. Prop Paddy McAllister, who sustained a neck and back injury against Bath in the first of Ulster’s pre-season friendlies, has been passed fit to play.
Ulster v Ospreys kicks off at Ravenhill at 7.05pm on Friday evening.
Ulster team to face Neath-Swansea Ospreys: A D’Arcy; T Seymour, D Cave, I Whitten, D McIlwaine; N O’Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best (Captain), D Fitzpatrick; J Muller, T Barker; S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg
Replacements: N Brady, T Court, P McAllister, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, P Wallace, J Shiels
