ULSTER DIRECTOR OF Rugby Les Kiss has named his starting XV for Sunday’s European Champions Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel Michelin [KO 3.05pm, Sky Sports 4].
With Robbie Diack ruled out through injury and potentially facing four weeks on the sidelines, fellow South African Franco van der Merwe comes into the second row in the only change from last weekend’s 39-32 home win against Clermont.
The French side have made five changes to their team, which includes recalls for Isaia Toeava and Noa Nakaitaci.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Louis Ludik
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Peter Browne
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andy Warwick
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Darren Cave
23. Jacob Stockdale
Clermont Auvergne:
15. Isaia Toeava
14. Noa Nakaitaci
13. Remi Lamerat
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Nick Abendanon
10. Camille Lopez
9. Morgan Parra
1. Etienne Falgoux
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Davit Zirakashvili
4. Arthur Iturria
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Viktor Kolelishvili
7. Alexandre Lapandry
8. Damien Chouly (captain)
Replacements:
16. John Ulugia
17. Thomas Domingo
18. Michael Simutoga
19. Flip van der Merwe
20. Peceli Yato
21. Ludovic Radosavljevic
22. Patricio Fernandez
23. Aurelien Rougerie
