Hanrahan to make first Munster start

Rugby:Five days after making his Heineken Cup debut off the bench against Edinburgh, JJ Hanrahan will make his first senior start for Munster against Italian side Zebre at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.45pm)

The 20-year-old has been named at inside centre and will partner Casey Laulala in a side that shows nine changes from the one that started last Sunday.

One of those changes is positional, Donnacha Ryan moving from blindside to lock in place of Paul O'Connell, while five others, including Hanrahan, were involved off the bench last weekend.

Also in the backs, Felix Jones starts ahead of Denis Hurley at fullback, while Duncan Williams comes in for Conor Murray at scrumhalf. In the pack, Stephen Archer comes in for BJ Botha and Paddy Butler now wears the number eight jersey with Peter O'Mahony switching to blindside

Declan Fitzpatrick has been named at tighthead prop for Ulster’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday (7.05pm) on his return to the side following a knee injury.

The Ireland international replaces All Black John Afoa and is one of four changes in personnel made by coach Mark Anscombe, with Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy and Lewis Stevenson also coming in.

Roger Wilson could make his first appearance for Ulster since returning to the club after being selected on the bench.

Marshall’s inclusion at scrumhalf will see Ruan Pienaar move to outhalf in place of Paddy Jackson who is among the replacements. Tommy Bowe will line out at fullback, with Jared Payne earning a well earned rest after playing in every minute of Ulster’s campaign to date.

Gilroy is named on the left wing, with Andrew Trimble switching to the right flank, while Paddy Wallace and Darren Cave continue their impressive centre partnership.

Stevenson has replaced the injured Johann Muller in the secondrow alongside Dan Tuohy. The backrow remains unchanged from the one that lined out against Glasgow last week, although Chris Henry will have the added responsibility of captaining the side in Muller’s absence.

Ulster will not to risk Stephen Ferris (back) despite him training earlier in the week.

MUNSTER (v Zebre, Thomond Park, Friday, 7.45pm):F Jones; L O'Dea, C Laulala, JJ Hanrahan, S Zebo; I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, D Ryan, Dave O'Callaghan, P O'Mahony, P Butler. Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, BJ Botha, B Holland, T O'Donnell, C Murray, J Murphy, D Hurley.

ULSTER (v Dragons, Rodney Parade, Friday, 7.05pm):T Bowe; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; R Pienaar, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry (capt), N Williams. Replacements: N Brady, C Black, J Afoa, M McComish, R Wilson, P Jackson, L Marshall, J Payne.