Cormac Izuchuku has been included in the Ulster starting line-up for the first time since October as the Irish province made six changes to the starting XV that took the field for lost with a score of 24-20 Leinster in Saturday's interprovincial match against Connacht in Galway (1730 GMT).
The second row overcame injury and illness to commit his future to Ulster this week. agreement to extend the contract for two years.
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Izuchukwu will replace Charlie Irvine in the second row for the match at Deccombe Stadium and partner Harry Sheridan as he makes his 50th appearance for the province.
Sam Crean and Scott Wilson come into the loose-head and tight-head positions respectively, while Tom Stewart maintains his position at hooker.
In the half-backs, scrum-half Conor McKee makes his first interprovincial appearance along with half-back Jack Murphy.
Two changes to the backline will see Zac Ward start at left wing and James Hume will return to join Stuart McCloskey in forming the central partnership.
In-form striker Werner Kock starts at right-back after scoring two goals against Leinster, while Jacob Stockdale remains at full-back.
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David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus make up the back row.
The back line replacements are Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite, while the forwards on the bench are John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O'Toole, Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward.
Ulster enter the Christmas period in fifth position in the table, having won four and lost two URC matches to date.
Richie Murphy's side will complete the Irish interprovincial trio when they host Munster in Belfast on January 2.
Connacht: Gilbert; Ryan, Ford, Aki, Tracy; Carty, B. Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, O'Connor; J. Murphy, Prendergast, Jansen.
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Substitutions: Minister, Dutged, Merry, Murray, O'Brien, Devine, Maine, Gaviin.
Ulster: Stockdale; Cock, Hume, McCloskey, Z. Ward; Crean, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.
Substitutions: Andrew, Bell, O'Toole, Hope, B. Ward, Doak, Flannery, Postlethwaite.
