Team News: Ulster have been able to call on the services of veteran outhalf David Humphreys for their Magners League opener against the Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill this Saturday evening.
Humphreys sustained a shoulder knock during Ulster's 26-14 friendly win over Earth Titans last week. Coach Mark McCall has kept virtually the same line-up, the only change sees Roger Wilson return from suspension to take Kieron Dawson's place at number eight, which means Stephen Ferris switches to flanker.
The provinces are currently without the services of members of the Ireland squad who are in Poland for a pre-season fitness regimen.
The Llanelli camp, however, are hoping Simon Easterby and Stephen Jones both recover from respective head and calf injuries after both were injured during their recent game at Gloucester.
McCall may feel as though he is treading water at present as he must do without nine of last season's players for the opening four games because they require recovery time from international duty.
However, he has been able to name Matt McCullough and Nigel Brady in Saturday's team. McCullough is very fortunate because the Irish International needed 128 stitches to the head after a near-fatal accident in Canada during the summer.
Mark Bartholemeusz and Tom Court will be making their competitive debuts for Ulster after joining in the summer.
Kick-off in Belfast is at 7.30pm this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Munster coach Declan Kidney has named a 24-man squad ahead of their opening Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park in Cardiff on Friday night (7.10pm).
Ulster team:Bryn Cunningham, Mark Bartholomeusz, Paul Steinmetz, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Maxwell, David Humphreys, Kieran Campbell, Justin Fitzpatrick, Paul Shields, Tom Court, Justin Harrison (c), Tim Barker, Stephen Ferris, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson
Replacements: Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson, Paul Marshall, Kevin Maggs, Scott Young
Munster Squad: Christian Cullen, Shaun Payne, Ian Dowling, James Downey, John Kelly, Mossy Lawlor, Tom Gleeson, Eoghan Hickey, Jeremy Manning, Tomas O'Leary, Gerry Hurley, Federico Pucciariello, Darragh Hurley, Timmy Ryan, Frank Sheahan, Sean Cronin, James Coughlan, John O'Sullivan, Donnacha Ryan, Ross Noonan, Chris Wyatt, Brendan Cuttriss, Shane O'Connor, AN Other
