Piutau Is One Of Four Changes For Ulster

Charles Piutau is the only change to the back-line which played against Bordeaux-Bègles last Sunday, as he replaces Craig Gilroy on the left wing. Click here to buy tickets for the game (limited availability).

Ruan Pienaar has recovered from a knee injury and is joined in the starting backs by Ireland internationals Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne.

There are three new faces in the province’s pack, with Kyle McCall, Peter Browne and Roger Wilson all selected by director of rugby Les Kiss.

McCall will join Rory Best and Rodney Ah You in the front row, while Browne is paired with Franco van der Merwe in the engine room.

Wilson’s inclusion at the base of the scrum means that Sean Reidy will shift to openside flanker, with Iain Henderson continuing in the number 6 jersey. 

The replacements bench features front rowers Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick and Ross Kane, along with fellow forwards Alan O’Connor and Clive Ross. Gilroy, Paul Marshall and the fit-again Tommy Bowe, who have amassed 453 Ulster caps between them, provide experienced back-line cover.

ULSTER (v Exeter Chiefs): Jared Payne; Andrew Trimble (capt), Luke Marshall, Stuart Olding, Charles Piutau; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Kyle McCall, Rory Best, Rodney Ah You, Peter Browne, Franco van der Merwe, Iain Henderson, Sean Reidy, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Tommy Bowe.