Rory Best returns to lead wounded Ulster against Toulouse

Alan O'Connor will make just his 15th appearance for Ulster after being named in the secondrow alongside Franco van der Merwe for Friday night's Champions Cup pool match against Toulouse at the Kingspan stadium (7.45).

The 23-year-old Skerries native is a product of the Ulster academy having been persuaded to move to Belfast by Allen Clarke. A former Ireland Under-20 international, he came on as a replacement in last weekend’s 14-7 win over Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro12.

The absence through injury of Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy provides O'Connor with an opportunity much like it did last season. Robbie Diack has passed the return-to-play protocols following a head knock and starts in the backrow.

Rory Best returns to lead a pack that includes Ulster's player of the month, losehead prop Kyle McCall. In the backline, Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey form the midfield axis in the absence of Darren Cave while Craig Gilroy returns to the left wing and Louis Ludik at fullback.

Kiss said: “They (Toulouse) are predictably unpredictable. They have a massive squad that is full of internationals, so that gives them some really good options all over the park.

“They’re (joint) second in the Top 14 so it’s a huge challenge for us, but the boys have shown great character and we’ll step up to the plate. Hopefully the conditions are good and the supporters will see a quality game of rugby.”

Toulouse coach Ugo Mola has chosen a strong side with a host of names that will be familiar to rugby supporters and it’s instructive to note that he has opted for six forwards among the replacements, illustrating the type of contest he is expecting in Belfast

The game will be screened live on BT Sport but there are still tickets available.

Ulster: Louis Ludik; Andrew Trimble, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Kyle McCall, Rory Best (c), Wiehahn Herbst, Alan O'Connor, Franco Van Der Merwe, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Nick Williams

Replacements: Rob Herring, Andy Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Rory Scholes

Toulouse: Clément Poitrenaud; Vincent Clerc, Gael Fickou, Toby Flood, Maxime Médard; Luke McAlister, Sébastien Bézy; Vasil Kakovin, Corey Flynn, Census Johnston, Yoann Maestri, Joe Tekori, Yacouba Camara, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Louis Picamoles

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Edwin Maka, Gregory Lamboley, Gillian Galan, Jean-Marc Doussain, Alexis Palisson

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)