Ulster Slot Cave And Jackson Into Starting Line-Up

Darren Cave and Paddy Jackson have been named in Ulster’s starting line-up for the first interprovincial match of the season, against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday (kick-off 6pm), while fellow Ireland international Chris Henry returns to the matchday 23 on the bench.

Darren Cave and Paddy Jackson came off the bench during last weekend’s bonus point win over Cardiff Blues as Ulster extended their unbeaten run at Kingspan Stadium to 14 GUINNESS PRO12 games.

There are two other changes to the team as head coach Neil Doak continues to rotate his squad during this block of 16 consecutive fixtures.

Peter Nelson returns to the side at full-back and is joined in the back-three by internationals Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble. Paul Marshall and Stuart McCloskey, both of whom scored tries against Cardiff, are retained at scrum half and inside centre respectively.

The only change up front sees Andrew Warwick replace Callum Black at loosehead prop, joining captain Rob Herring and Wiehahn Herbst in the front row.

Lewis Stevenson and Franco van der Merwe continue their second row partnership, with Roger Wilson, Sean Reidy and Nick Williams, the man-of-the-match last Friday, once again combining in the back row.

Chris Henry, who competed at the Rugby World Cup with Cave and Jackson, will provide cover for the loose forward trio in Limerick. Dan Tuohy has followed the return-to-play protocols after his concussion in the Edinburgh game and will join Henry on the bench.

Paul Rowley, recruited from London Welsh in the summer, is in line to make his first competitive appearance of the season after being named as the reserve scrum half. John Andrew, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Ian Humphreys and Sam Arnold are the other players in the matchday selection.

The Ulstermen enter this derby match in fifth place in the table, two points adrift of third-placed Munster whose perfect start to the new PRO12 season ended with their 25-22 defeat at the Scarlets last Friday.

ULSTER (v Munster): Peter Nelson; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Andrew Trimble; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring (capt), Wiehahn Herbst, Lewis Stevenson, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams.

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Paul Rowley, Ian Humphreys, Sam Arnold.