Fly-half Jack Murphy will make his first Champions Cup start, following his first outing in the competition as a second-half replacement at Leicester Tigers last weekend. Nathan Doak retains the number 9 jersey and will start alongside Murphy in a youthful half-back pairing.

The starting XV features four players who have been called up to the wider Ireland squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations, with Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Development panellist, James McNabney all included among the Ulster pack.

Tickets are still available for Friday’s big game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

Herring returns from injury to start at hooker, where he is joined in the front row by props Eric O’Sullivan and Scott Wilson at loosehead and tighthead respectively. O’Sullivan committed his future to the province earlier this week, signing a new two-year deal until 2027.

Henderson captains the side from the second row, with Izuchukwu getting the nod alongside him.

The back row features McNabney at blindside flanker, Nick Timoney on the openside flank and David McCann starting at number eight.

The midfield partnership remains the same, as Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson continue at inside and outside centre respectively.

Michael Lowry and Stewart Moore make welcome returns from injury to start in the back three, with Lowry on the left wing, Moore at full back and Werner Kok on the right wing.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the replacements bench, with a return to the matchday squad for Rob Lyttle, who has agreed a short-term deal as emergency injury cover and is line for his first Ulster appearance since 2023.

Hooker, Tom Stewart, and fly-half, Jake Flannery, both return from injury to feature on the bench, with Flannery hoping to make his first appearance of the season.  

Stewart, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell and Harry Sheridan provide the forward options and John Cooney, Flannery and Lyttle the backline replacement choices.

Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, Friday 17 January, Round 4, Investec Champions Cup, Kingspan Stadium, 8pm (Live on Premier Sports, BBC Sounds)

15. Stewart Moore (73)

14. Werner Kok (11)

13. Ben Carson (8)

12. Jude Postlethwaite (21)

11. Michael Lowry (114)

10. Jack Murphy (3)

9. Nathan Doak (77)

1. Eric O’Sullivan (126)

2. Rob Herring (244)

3. Scott Wilson (24)

4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (160)

5. Cormac Izuchukwu (36)

6. James McNabney (11)

7. Nick Timoney (156)

8. David McCann (57)

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (47)

17. Callum Reid (20)

18. Corrie Barrett (6)

19. Kieran Treadwell (168)

20. Harry Sheridan (36)

21. John Cooney (147)

22. Jake Flannery (15)

23. Rob Lyttle (64)