Seven Changes For Munster

Munster make seven changes from the side that played Cardiff Blues, for the trip to Ravenhill on Friday night.

They retain the same back-row that started last time out and the same half backs but a complete change in the front row sees Jerry Flannery make his first start of the season for Munster.

Meanwhile a “slight injury concern” to David Humphreys, has forced Mark McCall to throw up a load of combinations in his backline rather than name a side as required by the competition rulers. Humphreys we are told will undergo a fitness test on Friday afternoon before taking his place in the side.

We are also led to believe that Simon Best is another injury concern and apparently will also undergo a late fitness test, if he is not declared fit then Declan Fitzpatrick will be brought onto the replacements bench. Ireland scrum half Isaac Boss returns from injury to start at scrum half.

Munster: Christian Cullen; Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Trevor Halstead, Ian Dowling; Eoghan Hickey, Tomas O’Leary; Eugene McGovern, Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley; Chris Wyatt, Donnacha Ryan; Alan Quinlan, Tim McGann, John O’Sullivan. Replacements: Frank Sheahan, Tim Ryan, Mark Melbourne, AN Other, Brian O’Meara, Jeremy Manning, Brian Carney/Keith Earls.

Ulster: Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe, Paul Steinmetz / Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace / Paul Steinmetz, Paul McKenzie / Andrew Trimble; David Humphreys / Paddy Wallace, Isaac Boss, Justin Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Bryan Young; Justin Harrison (Captain); Ryan Caldwell; Stephen Ferris, Kieron Dawson, Roger Wilson. Replacements: Paul Shields; Simon Best / Declan Fitzpatrick, Tim Barker, David Pollock, Kieran Campbell, Paul McKenzie / AN Other, Andrew Maxwell