Best returns as captain for Zebre clash

The British & Irish Lions hooker is one of eight changes to the side that drew 32-32 away to Scarlets on the opening weekend of the Guinness PRO12.

Best is joined in the front row by Andrew Warwick, with Wiehahn Herbst retaining his place at tighthead prop. Dan Tuohy also keeps his place and is partnered at lock by Lewis Stevenson. Nick Williams comes into the side at num ber 8 and is joined by Robbie Diack and Chris Henry who gave impressive displays at Parc y Scarlets.

Darren Cave makes his first start of the season and with Luke Marshall forms an experienced midfield partnership. Andrew Trimble and fullback Ricky Andrew come into the back three alongside Craig Gilroy. Paul Marshall and Ian Humphreys will combine at half-back once more.

Ruaidhri Murphy, a close season signing from the Brumbies, is in line to make his first PRO12 appearance after being named in the match day 23.

A number of players who made significant contributions in last week's game are also named among the replacements. Franco van der Merwe and Louis Ludik, both try scorers in their competitive debuts against Scarlets, are named on the bench along with Roger Wilson, Stuart Olding, Rob Herring, Bronson Ross and Michael Heaney.

Tickets for the game remain on sale for all areas of the ground.

Match-day tickets will also be available on the gate with the ticket booth opening at 18:00. These will be restricted to terrace tickets only.

Ulster starting XV & replacements to play Zebre, RaboDirect PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 12th September, 7.35pm:

(15-9): R Andrew; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall;

(1-8): A Warwick, R Best (c), W Herbst, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams;

Replacements (16-23): R Herring, R Murphy, B Ross, F van der Merwe, R Wilson, M Heaney, S Olding, L Ludik.