Dave Shanahan in action for Ballymena. Source: Brian Little

DAVE SHANAHAN WILL make his first start for Ulster when the northern province take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday in Pool 5 of the European Champions Cup [KO 5.30pm, BT Sport 2].

Having played 10 times for Ulster as a substitute, the 23-year-old Dubliner is named at half-back alongside Paddy Jackson. It’s one of three personnel changes made by director of rugby Les Kiss from last weekend’s Guinness Pro12 defeat to Scarlets.

The other change in the backline sees All Black Charles Piutau return on the wing at the expense of Jacob Stockdale. Up front, Pete Browne comes into the second-row, with Iain Henderson switching to the back-row and Clive Ross dropping to the bench.

Ulster:

15. Louis Ludik

14. Charles Piutau

13. Luke Marshall

12. Stuart McCloskey

11. Andrew Trimble (captain)

10. Paddy Jackson

9. Dave Shanahan

1. Callum Black

2. Rory Best

3. Ross Kane

4. Kieran Treadwell

5. Pete Browne

6. Iain Henderson

7. Chris Henry

8. Sean Reidy

Replacements:

16. John Andrew

17. Andrew Warwick

18. Jonny Simpson

19. France van der Merwe

20. Clive Ross

21. Paul Marshall

22. Brett Herron

23. Jacob Stockdale

Exeter Chiefs:

15. Phil Dollman

14. Jack Nowell

13. Michele Campagnaro

12. Ian Whitten

11. Olly Woodburn

10. Gareth Steenson (captain)

9. Dave Lewis

1. Ben Moon

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

3. Greg Holmes

4. Mitch Lees

5. Jonny Hill

6. Tom Johnson

7. Don Armand

8. Thomas Waldrom

Replacements:

16. Jack Yeandle

17. Moray Low

18. Harry Williams

19. Dave Dennis

20. Kai Horstmann

21. Stuart Townsend

22. Joe Simmonds

23. Ollie Devoto