Bowe and Jackson return for Cardiff clash

They are two of five changes to the side that beat Zebre 33 points to 13 at Kingspan Stadium last weekend.

Louis Ludik, who started last week's game on the bench, is selected at fullback, and is joined in the back three by two of the ten Ireland internationals in the side - Andrew Trimble, who starts on the right wing, and Bowe who is named on the left.

Stuart Olding returns to the starting XV at inside centre, while Darren Cave has recovered from the rib injury that he sustained against Zebre to take his place at outside centre.

Jackson will play his 65th game for Ulster and is partnered by Paul Marshall in the half-backs.

Up front there is an unchanged front row with Andrew Warwick and Wiehahn Herbst starting either side of captain, Rory Best.

Franco van der Merwe returns to the second row and starts alongside Dan Tuohy.

The back row all started against Zebre, with Robbie Diack selected at blindside, Chris Henry named at openside and Nick Williams picked at Number 8.

There are a further three Ireland internationals on the bench - Rob Herri ng, Craig Gilroy and Roger Wilson. Callum Black, Bronson Ross, Neil McComb, Michael Heaney and Ian Humphreys complete the match-day squad.

Ulster starting XV & replacements to play Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO12, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, Friday 19th September, 7.35pm:

(15-9): L Ludik A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, T Bowe; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Best (c), W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams;

Replacements (16-23):

R Herring, C Black, B Ross, N McComb, R Wilson, M Heaney, I Humphreys, C Gilroy