In-form Irish ace back for Ulster alongside three others from Andy Farrell’s international squad

Long serving scrum-half, Dave Shanahan, is in line for a milestone 100th appearance in an Ulster jersey with an appearance from the bench

In-form winger Rob Baloucoune will start against Benetton, on Friday night in Round 6 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Affidea Stadium in Treviso. The Fermanagh man is a part of a northern side that welcomes back Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale following the Autumn Nations Series.

Long serving scrum-half, Dave Shanahan, is in line for a milestone 100 ^th appearance in an Ulster jersey with an appearance from the bench. Henderson captains the side alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row.

In the front row, Tom Stewart starts at hooker after captaining Ireland XV to an impressive victory over Spain earlier this month.

Sam Crean starts at loosehead prop and Scott Wilson gets the nod at tighthead prop.

In the back row, there is a return to action for South African powerhouse number eight, Juarno Augustus, following injury.

David McCann starts at blindside flanker, with Timoney returning at openside flanker.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy continue their half-back partnership.

In the midfield, Jude Postlethwaite starts at inside centre and James Hume starts at outside centre.

In the back three, Werner Kok is named on the left wing with Rob Baloucoune hoping to continue his scoring form on the right wing. The lethal wing scored a hat trick in the Round 5 defeat against Emirates Lions and scored two tries for Ireland XV earlier this month.

Jacob Stockdale returns from international duty at full-back.

Ulstr coach Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton and Bryn Ward providing forward reinforcements.

Academy forward, Ward, made his senior debut against Emirates Lions last month.

Dave Shanahan is in line for his 100 ^th , with Jake Flannery and Stewart Moore completing the backline cover.

Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby, Friday 28 ^th November, 7.45pm, Round 6, BKT United Rugby Championship, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports and URC.tv)

1. Sam Crean (6)

2. Tom Stewart (59)

3. Scott Wilson (39)

4. Harry Sheridan (45)

5 . Iain Henderson (166)

6. David McCann (72)

7. Nick Timoney (170)

8. Juarno Augustus (3)

9. Nathan Doak (93)

10. Jack Murphy (17)

11. Werner Kok (18)

12. Jude Postlethwaite (33)

13. James Hume (103)

14. Rob Baloucoune (73)

15. Jacob Stockdale (136)

Replacements: 16. Rob Herring (258), 17. Callum Reid (33), 18. Tom O’Toole (127), 19. Matthew Dalton (16). 20. Bryn Ward (1), 21. David Shanahan (99), 22. Jake Flannery (23), 23. Stewart Moore (83)

Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Onisi Ratave, Paolo Odogwu, Filippo Drago, Ignacio Mendy, Jacob Umaga, Andy Uren, Destiny Aminu, Bautista Bernasconi, Giosuè Zilocchi, Federico Ruzza, Eli Snyman, Jadin Kingi, Michele Lamaro (CAPT), So’otala Fa’aso’o