Celtic League team news
Coach Alan Gaffney welcomes back four of the six Munster players involved in Ireland¿s friendly with Romania for the game away to Edinburgh on Friday.
Rob Henderson, John Kelly, Anthony Foley and John Hayes all return but half-backs Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer are unavailable. O'Gara suffered an ear laceration against Romania while Stringer is being rested.
Dominic Malone continues in Stringer's absence while Jason Holland is switched from centre to outhalf. Killian Keane - O'Gara's deputy in the win over Ebbw Vale - drops to the bench.
Hooker Frankie Sheehan has shrugged off a shoulder problem and replaces James Blaney in the front row. Donncha O'Callaghan gets a start in the second row as Mick Galwey moves to the bench.
Gaffney's side set the pace in Pool A with nine points after two games and he expects Edinburgh to provide a stern challenge on Friday.
"I'd expect them to play a typical Scottish game, where they'll try to keep the ball alive as much as possible and try to get plenty of pace into their play," he said.
"They're always tough opponents and particularly so at this stage because they've two wins under their belts."
"They won in Ravenhill, and how many sides will do that this season. With home advantage they'll be looking to put one over on us."
Ulster coach Alan Solomons has made five changes and one positional switch from the side that lost to Edinburgh for Saturday's clash with Swansea at St Helen's.
Versatile back Paddy Wallace, called up yesterday to the Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Russia, has been left out of the starting XV and must make do with a place on the bench.
Ireland A prop Simon Best, winger Sheldon Coulter and centre Ryan Constable are all dropped as Solomons welcomes back international outhalf David Humphries, James Topping, Adam Larkin and Justin Fitzpatrick.
"Swansea have a big physical presence in the back line spearheaded by Scott Gibbs and I feel the changes we have made will give us more physical presence," explained Solomons.
Loose-head Fitzpatrick returns to a front row that sees Springbok Robbie Kempson move across to replace Best at tight-head.
"In the front row, Justin came in for the second half of the Edinburgh game and played extremely well, so will start against Swansea, who have a strong pack and scrummage well."
Jeremy Davidson, a former Lion and Irish international, has recovered from a bruised hip and partners Mark Blair in the second row at the expense of Tony McWhirter.
Johnny Bell continues to lead the side as regular captain Andy Ward is still troubled by an ankle injury.
Steph Nel has made four changes to the Connacht side to play Leinster in Donnybrook on Friday night.
Johnny O'Connor is recovered from the ankle injury that kept him out of last weekend's win over Cardiff and replaces Paul Neville at wing forward.
Dan McFarland replaces Ronnie McCormack at loose head while John O'Sullivan makes his first competitive start at No.8.
The only change in the backs sees Chris Keane replace Eoin Reddan at scrum-half.
Leinster will name their team at lunch-time tomorrow.
ULSTER:B Cunningham; J Topping, J Bell (c), A Larkin, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, R Kempson; M Blair, J Davidson; W Brosnihan, N McMillan, R Nelson.
Replacements: P Shields, S Best, N Best, K Campbell, P Wallace, R Constable, T McWhirter
MUNSTER:Jeremy Staunton; John Kelly, Mike Mullins, Rob Henderson, John O'Neill; Jason Holland. Dominic Malone; Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Jim Williams (c), Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley.
Replacements. Simon Kerr, James Blaney, Mick Galwey, Eddie Halvey, Mike Prendergast, Killian Keane, Dominic Crotty.
CONNACHT:Mark McHugh; Ted Robinson, Darren Yapp, Tim Allnutt (c), Wayne Munn; Eric Elwood, Chris Keane; Dan McFarland, Marnus Uijs, Peter Bracken; Warwick Waugh, Rowan Frost; Michael Swift, John O'Sullivan, Johnny O'Connor.
Replacements: Ronan McCormack, Jerry Flannery, Colm Rigney, Paul Neville, Mike Walls, Shane Moore, Dermot O'Sullivan.