Joe Hopes will make his first Ulster start after being named in the second row for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against the Lions at Ellis Park (12:45 BST).
With Iain Henderson on Ireland duty, 21-year-old lock Hopes comes in to partner Harry Sheridan after making his second Ulster appearance off the bench in last week’s bonus-point win over the Sharks in Durban.
Hooker Rob Herring captains the side on his return to the line-up, with Tom Stewart switching to open-side flanker to replace Ireland’s Nick Timoney after filling in as a back-row forward in the second half of the Sharks game.
Sean Reffell was ruled out earlier this week, but Juarno Augustus has been passed fit to start at number eight after being forced off with an arm injury in Durban.
In the backline, Zac Ward and Jude Postlethwaite replace Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey, both of whom are with Ireland, while Rob Baloucoune comes in for Werner Kok on the right wing.
Bryn Ward – Zac’s younger brother – is in line to make his debut after being named on the bench.
The 21-year-old back row, who has been capped by Ireland at under-20 level, travelled out to South Africa to link up with the Ulster squad earlier this week.
Ulster are targeting a fourth successive win to start the URC season after picking up a maximum 15 points from their first three outings. Saturday’s fixture in Johannesburg is the province’s last match until 28 November because of the autumn break.
Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Hume, Postlethwaite, Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Herring (capt), O’Toole, Sheridan, Hopes, McCann, Stewart, Augustus.
Replacements: McCormick, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, Kok.
