The Ulstermen, whose three-game winning run in all competitions was ended against Leinster on St Stephens's Day, welcome back Ian Whitten for the first time since the 12-23 defeat at home to Treviso on October 7 - their only defeat at Ravenhill in 2011.

Stefan Terblanche will make his first starting appearance for Ulster since arriving at the beginning of December while Willie Faloon makes a return to the back row alongside Pedrie Wannenburg and Chris Henry.

With two derbies in four days to contend with, McLaughlin has made it clear that his players' wellbeing comes first, which is why he has prioritised the Munster game and played his fringe players in the loss to Leinster.

He said: "It's a huge game for us, it's at Ravenhill and it's against Munster. When the fixture list came out we were not very happy with the fact that we had a four day turnaround but we just have to manage the scheduling as best we can.

"We want to put our best team out on the pitch as often as we possibly can, but Irish Management Programme looks after the internationals and we have to look after the rest of the players as well so we took the decision, and it was not taken lightly, to run two separate squads for two games."

Munster meanwhile head into the game in mixed form, having successfully negotiated their third successive home win in the RaboDirect PRO12 against Connacht on Monday, but without a win in three games on the road.

Coach Tony McGahan has named just three players in his starting XV from the Connacht clash, and will be looking to replicate last season's double over Ulster this campaign.
Ian Keatley, Luke O'Dea and Mick O'Driscoll are the trio who remain while the likes of Danny Barnes and Niall Ronan are rested.

O'Driscoll said: "Given the very short turnaround and looking at their selection for the Leinster game last week, Ulster have clearly identified this game as the priority.

"It's understandable, they're at home, no side likes to lose at their own ground. So I think it sets out very clearly the task we face.

"But these are the sort of games you want to be judged on. We've a lot of young lads going there tomorrow. It's going to be very testing and very interesting."

At Ravenhill, 7.05pm.
Referee : Alain Rolland (IRFU, 48th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Paul Haycock (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: EddieWalsh (IRFU)
TMO: Tony Redmond (IRFU)

Live on BBCNI and RTE