Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss has named 10 internationals in his starting team for Saturday's Pro14 clash versus Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Andrew Trimble captains the side and will equal Roger Wilson's record of 221 appearances for Ulster. The 32-year-old has been named on the right wing, with Louis Ludik (left wing) and Charles Piutau (fullback) completing the back three.
John Cooney and Christian Lealiifano return to occupy the halfback positions, while Luke Marshall will partner Darren Cave in midfield.
Hooker John Andrew will make his first start of the season and will be joined in the front row by experienced props Callum Black and Rodney Ah You.
Pete Browne and Iain Henderson form a mobile second row partnership, while Kiss has selected a loose forward combination of Matty Rea, Sean Reidy and Jean Deysel.
Academy hooker Adam McBurney could make his first competitive appearance for Ulster after being named among the replacements.
Andrew Warwick, Wiehahn Herbst, Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney, man of the match in last week’s 52-25 win against Dragons, will provide further cover for the forward unit.
Dave Shanahan, Pete Nelson and Rob Lyttle are the backline options in Kiss’ 23-man panel.
ULSTER: C Piutau; A Trimble (captain), D Cave, L Marshall, L Ludik; C Lealiifano, J Cooney; C Black, J Andrew, R Ah You; P Browne, I Henderson; M Rea, S Reidy, J Deysel.
Replacements: A McBurney, A Warwick, W Herbst, K Treadwell, N Timoney, D Shanahan, P Nelson, R Lyttle.
