Ulster coach Matt Williams has called centre Darren Cave into a 26-man squad ahead of the weekend's Magners League match against third-placed Cardiff.
Cave, who has just turned 21, has earned his call-up on the back of impressive recent displays with Ulster A.
Williams will name his side for Saturday's visit to the Arms Park on Friday.
Ulster are still looking over their shoulder at bottom side Connacht despite their 18-6 win over Michael Bradley's side at the weekend. They hold an eight point advantage over their rivals but have a tough task ahead in the Welsh capital.
A win, and a result for Connacht away to eighth-placed Newport-Gwent Dragons, would see Ulster move ahead of the Welsh side in the standings, but having played a game extra.
Ulster have also announced that Leicester outhalf Ian Humphreys will join the squad in June.
The brother of Ulster legend and former Ireland outhalf, David, has been with the Tigers since the summer of 2005 and his return represents somewhat of a coup for the province given their struggle to hold on to talent for next season.
The former Belfast Harlequins player has featured prominently for the English side in his time there and scored 100 points on the road to winning the Guinness Premiership title and the EDF Energy Cup last year.
Humphreys has also captained Ireland Sevens and played for Ireland A, under-21s and under-19s.
"I am really pleased to be signing for Ulster, everyone who grows up in Ulster wants to play for Ulster and it is something that I have always wanted to do, when the chance came along I took it and I am really looking forward to it," he said today.
"It will be great playing alongside a lot of guys that I have grown up with and played alongside at various levels, I went to school with Matt (McCullough) and Bryan (Young) and Rory (Best) is one of my best mates."
Ulster squad
Forwards: Justin Fitzpatrick; Rory Best, Tom Court, Justin Harrison, Kieron Dawson, Stephen Ferris, Ryan Caldwell, Carlo Del Fava, Matt McCullough, Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Neil Best, Roger Wilson, Stuart Philpott
Backs: Paul Marshall; Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Niall O'Connor, Mark McCrea, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Bryn Cunningham, Rob Dewey, Paul Steinmetz, Mark Bartholomeusz
