Ireland prop Bryan Young makes a return from injury in Ulster's match against Portugal at Ravenhill on Thursday (7.30pm). The 27-year-old Ballymena player, who has been out of action since the middle of September, will join BJ Botha and Neil Hanna in the frontrow.

David Pollock will lead out Ulster for the first time, although the highly talented flanker has plenty of experience, having captained the Grand Slam-winning Ireland under-20 side. He has also led international sides at under-19 and under-21 World Championships.

Timoci Nagusa is back on the right wing following his try-scoring exploits against Munster in the Magners League, while coach Matt Williams has included former academy player Mark McCrea on the opposite wing.

Current academy player Ian Whitten starts in midfield alongside Daren Cave, with Ian Humphreys at outhalf.

Portugal went down 27-11 to Connacht at the weekend and Ulster assistant coach Steve Williams knows his side face a tough assignment.

"We won't be underestimating Portugal, they are an international side and showed plenty of fight against Connacht at the weekend.

"This is a good chance for us to try and build on the Munster victory and also give some of our younger players a chance to show us what they can do."

ULSTER (v Portugal):B Cunningham; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten,  McRea; I Humphreys, C Willis; B Young, N Hanna, BJ Botha, M McCullough, E O'Donoghue,T Anderson, D Pollock (capt), R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, D Fitzpatrick, K Dawson, I Boss, N O'Connor, P Steinmetz, C Henry, J Sandford, C Cochrane