Switching to eight: Stephen Ferris
Last season's beaten finalists Ulster start their Heineken Cup campaign against Castres at Ravenhill on Friday.
Ulster are top of the Pro12 standings and unbeaten in their opening five games of the season. The Ulstermen have won their last 11 games at home in the Heineken Cup.
In stark contrast, Castres, consistent performers in the Top 14, have one of the worst away records in the tournament having won just won of their last 17 games on the road.
In team news, loose forward Iain Henderson will make his home debut for Ulster in the Pool 4 opener. Henderson replaces the injured Nick Williams, who has failed to recover from a rib injury picked up in the 25-0 win over Connacht on Friday.
Henderson will make his fourth appearance for the province, his first in the Heineken Cup. It follows Wednesday's news that the 20-year-old has signed his first full contract, keeping him at the club until June 2015.
Henderson's inclusion at blindside flanker will mean Stephen Ferris switches to the back of the scrum. The rest of the team is unchanged from the clinical victory over Connacht.
The only change on the bench will see Ruan Pienaar, who returned from Rugby Championship duty with South Africa earlier in the week, named in place of Michael Heaney.
After missing most of last season with an Achilles tendon injury, full-back Jared Payne will also make his European bow.
"I can't wait. I've been watching games at Ravenhill since I was a kid and I'm really looking forward to pulling on the white jersey and experiencing the atmosphere as a player," said Henderson.
"My first aim for the season was to be involved in a few PRO12 games but with the few injuries that we have in the back row, I've been given an opportunity and I have to try and grab it with both hands.
"Castres are a very physical team but they also throw the ball wide and have an expansive kicking game. That should make for a tough, but entertaining game. We'll have to work really hard to nullify their threats."
Castres currently occupy sixth position in the Top 14 having beaten Clermont Auvergne at the weekend, and with Ulster undefeated in the PRO12, it promises to be a tantalising clash.
The teams:
Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Stephen Ferris, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johan Muller (c), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Luke Marshall, 23 Craig Gilroy.
Castres: 15 Romain Teulet, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Seremaia Bai, 12 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 11 Marc Andreu, 10 Pierre Bernard, 9 Thierry Lacrampe, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Yannick Caballero, 6 Piula Faasalele, 5 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 4 Matthias Rolland, 3 Michaël Coetzee, 2 Mathieu Bonello, 1 Yannick Forestier.
Replacements: 16 Marc-Antoine Rallier, 17 Grégory Marmoiton, 18 Mihaïta Lazar, 19 Iosefa Tekori, 20 Antonie Claassen, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Paul Bonnefond, 23 Thomas Sanchou.
Date: Friday, October 12
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 20:00 (19:00 BST)
Referee: Andrew Small
Comments
connaughtabu says...
I have always felt that Ferris could be a great No8 for Ireland, that is if he can control the ball at the back of the scrum. This would make space for O'Brien at No6, when he is fit again!
Posted 15:57 12th October 2012
melkdave says...
Yeah @HNSaints gotto agree with you,Ulster should win this one given their present form and its at Ravenhill.Dont think it will be a whitewash though lol
Posted 20:37 11th October 2012
damo says...
damo says...
We need a pro 7s team can PR run an article on how Ireland is the only country in the world almost without this and has tonns of young talent not being improved through htis means, also to confirm Darcy playing for Ireland is a joke on any form in the past 3 years, I can speak of 4 or 5 games his missed tackles or constant knock ons cost us or the fact his opponents manage 30+ tries in far less caps in their career - even Keith Wood scored more tries than him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7s team first second Kidney needs to cop the F on to himself and pick players on form and talent - use some of his sports scientists to tell him Tiernan Ohalloran is far better then Duffy for Connaught why is Duffy in any Irish squad? Sorry Gavin and Gordon but its true, for us to win we pick the best players and so far Kidney hasn't done this!!!!!!!!
Come on Ireland we could win World Cups if we got our act together!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Connaught to prove a few shocks in this years HC !!!
Jimmy mcnicoll of Canterbury in ITM cup is worlds best 15 Ireland need to contract him now and he can play for Munster (desperately need a 15) this lad is class !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 20:37 11th October 2012
NHSaints says...
I'd be very surprised if Ulster didn't win in a whitewash.
Posted 16:50 11th October 2012