Guinness PRO12 Rugby: Ulster v Cardiff Blues (tonight, 7.35pm, live on BBC2); Edinburgh v Connacht (tonight, 7.35pm, live on TG4)
RORY Best returns to Ulster action tonight to lead the side from hooker as regular captains Rob Herring and Andrew Trimble are both named on the bench.
Coach Les Kiss has named a strong side for the visit of Cardiff Blues to the Kingspan Stadium as Ulster go in search of a seventh consecutive Guinness PRO12 win.
Trimble makes a welcome return having recovered from a hand injury sustained against Treviso last month.
Joining Trimble and Herring on the bench is Hughes Insurance Academy back row Nick Timoney, who will make his senior debut if called upon by Kiss. The 21-year-old has produced notable displays for Queen's University RFC, Ulster A and Ireland Sevens over the past couple of seasons.
There are two other personnel changes to the starting XV that defeated Dragons 17-27 a fortnight ago, with Roger Wilson and Paddy Jackson also called in by Kiss.
Best is the only new face in the front five, with Andy Warwick, Wiehahn Herbst, Kieran Treadwell and Al O'Connor all retained from the Dragons victory. Wilson's inclusion at number eight means Sean Reidy will move to the openside flanker berth, while Iain Henderson will again start at six.
Jackson, who made an impressive appearance as a replacement two weeks ago, will renew his half-back partnership with Ruan Pienaar. Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall are selected in midfield and the back three of Craig Gilroy, Charles Piutau and Jared Payne is unchanged.
Callum Black, Rodney Ah You and Robbie Diack will join Herring and Timoney as forward replacements on the bench, while Trimble, Paul Marshall and Jacob Stockdale are the backline options.
Also tonight, Connacht have made seven changes to the team beaten in Zebre for their trip to Edinburgh.
Ireland internationals Tiernán O’Halloran and Kieran Marmion are among the players to be drafted into the starting XV. Set to make his 100th PRO12 appearance, O’Halloran has been among the top full-backs in the competition again this season, with the most metres gained and more carries than any other player.
With five personnel changes in the backline, Marmion starts at scrum-half and Niyi Adeolokun, having shaken off a niggle, also returns on the right wing. Danie Poolman switches to the left flank while Steve Crosbie makes his second start for the province at out-half.
Guinness PRO12 Fixtures
Friday (7.35pm): Edinburgh v Connacht; Ulster v Cardiff Blues
Saturday: Zebre v Dragons (1.30pm); Ospreys v Leinster (3pm); Munster v Glasgow (7.35pm); Scarlets v Treviso (7.35pm)
