Andrew Trimble will become the most capped Ulster player of all time when he lines out against Benetton Treviso at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night.
The Ulster and Ireland winger will play his 190th game for his province, passing the record that he currently shares with Paddy Wallace.
Speaking about hitting the milestone, Andrew said: “Whenever I started my career I wouldn’t have dreamed that I would get to 190 appearances for Ulster. Every game has been unbelievable, especially the matches at Kingspan Stadium on a Friday night. Paddy (Wallace) is a guy who I have a massive amount of respect for so overtaking his total means a lot. It’s going to be a very special night for me.”
Trimble will start on the right wing with Craig Gilroy selected on the left flank. Louis Ludik completes the back three and plays his 28th game for Ulster.
Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey continue their partnership in midfield, with Paul Marshall and Peter Nelson paired in the half backs.
Up front, Andrew Warwick and Wiehahn Herbst are selected either side of captain Rob Herring, who is named at hooker. Ireland international, Dan Tuohy, returns to the starting XV and starts alongside Peter Browne in the second row.
With Nick Williams unavailable for selection due to personal reasons, there is a change in the backrow, with Robbie Diack named on the blindside, Sean Reidy coming in at openside and Roger Wilson starting at the base of the scrum.
Meanwhile Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley has named his side to face Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park, which is also on Friday evening.
In total, Foley makes eight personnel changes from the side that defeated Ospreys over a fortnight ago and names Felix Jones as captain. An all new front row sees James Cronin and Stephen Archer start on either side of Duncan Casey with Archer and Casey both making their first starts of this season’s Pro12. Archer also draws ever closer to the 100 cap milestone for the province and will make his 99th Munster appearance this weekend.
Mark Chisholm and Dave Foley again form the second-row partnership with the reintroduction of CJ Stander at number eigth the only change in the back row, Dave O’Callaghan and Jack O’Donoghue continuing at six and seven respectively.
Duncan Williams and Ian Keatley return at half-back with Tyler Bleyendaal switching to inside centre for the first time, while the New Zealander is partnered by the academy’s David Johnston in midfield on his second league start.
The only change in the back-three sees Gerhard van den Heever make his first Pro12 appearance of the season, starting on the left wing. Andrew Conway continues on the right flank with Jones captaining the side from full-back.
Ulster: Louis Ludik; Andrew Trimble, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy; Peter Nelson, Paul Marshall; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring (captain), Wiehahn Herbst; Peter Browne, Dan Tuohy; Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Paul Jackson, Callum Black, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Clive Ross, David Shanahan, Sam Arnold, Rory Scholes.
Munster: Felix Jones (captain); Andrew Conway, David Johnston, Tyler Bleyendaal, Gerhard van den Heever; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer; Mark Chisholm, Dave Foley; Dave O'Callaghan, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, Robin Copeland, Jordan Coghlan, Cathal Sheridan, Rory Scannell, Shane Monahan.
