Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale will make their first appearances of the season in Friday’s Pro14 tie against Connacht Rugby at the Kingspan.

The pair have recovered from their respective injuries and take their places in the starting XV for the first home inter-provincial fixture of the campaign.

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland will hope the return of the international duo will steady the ship following their hammering at the hands of Munster last weekend.

Best will captain the side on his return and will join Tom O’Toole and Andy Warwick in the front row. Alan O’Connor and Iain Henderson will continue their second row partnership.

Marcell Coetzee has returned from a shoulder injury and will pack down at number 8, alongside Matthew Rea and Nick Timoney in the back row.

John Cooney and Billy Burns are retained in the half back positions, while Stuart McCloskey and Angus Curtis are paired together in midfield for the first time.

Jacob Stockdale, Angus Kernohan and Peter Nelson will combine in the back three.

Replacement lock Kieran Treadwell is set to make his 50th appearance for the Province and is joined on the bench by fellow forwards Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane and Sean Reidy.

Johnny McPhillips could make his first appearance of the season after being named in the match day squad, while Dave Shanahan and James Hume, a debutant last week against Munster, are also included.

Ulster Rugby team to play Connacht Rugby:

(15-9): Peter Nelson; Angus Kernohan, Angus Curtis, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andrew Warwick, Rory Best (captain), Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson, Matthew Rea, Nick Timoney, Marcell Coetzee;

Replacements (16-23): Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, Dave Shanahan, Johnny McPhillips, James Hume.

Belfast Telegraph