Nov 29,2024
With Friday's derby at Kingspan Stadium falling on the eve of an Ireland international, both sides are without several of their first choice players, although Ulster have benefitted from Timoney being released from the Irish camp this week.
Head coach Richie Murphy has made five changes from the side that started their final URC game before the Autumn Nations Series, with Iain Henderson, Tom O'Toole, Stuart McCloskey and Cormac Izuchukwu all still in the Irish squad.
The only change not enforced through international commitments comes at full-back, where Stewart Moore returns in place of Ethan McIlroy.
Ben Carson starts in the centre in place of McCloskey, partnering Jude Postlethwaite, with the rest of the backline unchanged; Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan make up the half-backs, while Mike Lowry and Werner Kok are on the wings.
In the pack, Scott Wilson replaces O'Toole at tighthead, joining James McCormick and Eric O'Sullivan in the front row, while Alan O'Connor takes Henderson's place, and the captaincy, joining Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
James McNabney starts at blindside flanker, where he is joined in the back row by Timoney and David McCann.
On the bench there is a further boost to Ulster, with hooker Tom Stewart in line for his first appearance of the season, having recovered from a long term ankle issue.
For Leinster, Jack Conan (above) returns from a hamstring injury to captain Leo Cullen's side, one of 11 changes from their win over the Lions last month.
Jimmy O'Brien, Jordan Larmour and John McKee have all recovered from injury to take their respective places in the starting side.
O'Brien starts at full-back with Larmour on the right wing, while Andrew Osborne will make his fifth appearance for the province on the left edge.
Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne form an experienced half-back combination, with Charlie Tector and Liam Turner lining out in the centre.
Jack Boyle starts at loosehead, having been involved in Irish camp this month, and the 22-year-old is joined in the front row by McKee and Rabah Slimani.
Diarmuid Mangan and Brian Deeny come in at second row, while Max Deegan and Will Connors join Conan in an experienced back row.
Snyman comes straight back into the Leinster squad following his ANS campaign with the Sringboks, and is part of a 6:2 split off the bench, with Fintan Gunne and Harry Byrne the two backs named among the replacements.
Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (capt)
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny
