Pienaar And Marshall Combine For Ulster
Ruan Pienaar will start at out-half for Ulster against Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo on Sunday (kick-off 3pm local time/2pm Irish time), as Mark Anscombe’s side aims to make it five wins out of five in 2014.
Ruan Pienaar is partnered at half-back by Paul Marshall, who makes his first Ulster start since December.
Darren Cave switches from inside centre to his more familiar role in the number 13 jersey, with Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall, who all scored tries in the Heineken Cup pool match against Treviso at Stadio di Monigo in December, also named in the back-line.
Up front, Ricky Lutton starts at tighthead prop with Rob Herring named at hooker and Tom Court selected at loosehead.
Johann Muller captains the side from the second row where he is joined by Lewis Stevenson who has recovered from the neck injury that he sustained against the Ospreys.
Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson are all named in the back row, with Wilson set to make his 147th appearance for his home province.
John Afoa has returned to New Zealand due to a family bereavement, while Nick Williams was unavailable for selection.
The game in Parma on Sunday afternoon will be live on the BBC Sport NI website and BBC Red Button.
ULSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Jared Payne; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen; Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Rob Herring, Ricky Lutton, Johann Muller (capt), Lewis Stevenson, Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Niall Annett, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Michael Heaney, Ricky Andrew, Rory Scholes.