Seven Ulster changes as Beirne makes Munster return

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made seven changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Munster, with returning Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney included in the starting line-up.

McCloskey, who started all three of Ireland's Nations Championship matches in July, returns at inside centre for the Affidea Stadium contest (17:30 BST), forming a new midfield partnership with summer signing Jamie Benson.

It will be 34-year-old McCloskey's 218th Ulster appearance, moving him alongside former captain Rory Best in joint-third on the province's all-time cap list.

Timoney returns to the backrow alongside Ireland team-mate Cormac Izuchukwu and Juarno Augustus, while recent recruits Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row.

The front row of Eric O'Sullivan, captain Tom Stewart and Keynan Knox is unchanged.

Nathan Doak makes his first start of the season at scrum-half, with Jack Murphy retained at 10 following a try-scoring display in last week's 33-33 draw with Glasgow.

Jacob Stockdale will make his 150th appearance on the left wing a week later than planned after being forced to withdraw from the Glasgow game through injury.

Robert Baloucoune returns on the right wing after missing the trip to Scotstoun because of concussion, while Ethan McIlroy is retained at full-back.

Henry Walker, returning Ireland international Tom O'Toole, Tom McAllister, James McNabney and David McCann provide forward cover on the bench, while Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery and Chay Mullins are the backline replacements.

Munster, who earned an impressive bonus-point win over the Bulls last weekend, are boosted by captain Tadhg Beirne's return from injury.

Having missed the end of last season through injury before featuring for Ireland over the summer, British and Irish Lions second row Beirne returns as one of nine changes made by head coach Clayton McMillan.

Props Jeremy Loughman and Kieran Brookes return to join Marnus van der Merwe in the front row, while Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes form an entirely changed back row.

Ben O'Connor and Alex Nankivell return at full-back and outside centre respectively, while JJ Hanrahan is reinstalled at fly-half.

Charlie O'Shea, 20, is named among the replacements after starring on his first against the Bulls last week.

"JJ Hanrahan was excellent against Glasgow in round one and I was really impressed with how he managed the end game against Bulls last week," said McMillan.

"It has been a whirlwind for Charlie O'Shea, it's hard to believe that it's less than two months since he pitched up with us. He hasn't missed a beat and gets another opportunity this weekend as a replacement."

Munster ran out resounding 41-14 winners when the provinces last met at Thomond Park in April, while Ulster won 28-3 in the last meeting in Belfast on New Year's Day.

Ulster: McIlroy; Baloucoune, Benson, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; O'Sullivan, Stewart (capt), Knox, Donnell, Snyman, Izuchukwu, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Walker, O'Toole, McAllister, McNabney, McCann, Devine, Flannery, Mullins.

Munster: O'Connor; Daly, Nankivell, Kelly, O'Brien; Hanrahan, Casey; Loughman, Van der Merwe, Brookes; O'Connell, Beirne (capt); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, Wycherley, Aungier, Ahern, Gleeson, O'Donovan, O'Shea, Hodnett.