Ulster as predicted will show a raft of changes when they make the trip to Limerick in search of the double over Munster in the PRO12 on Saturday evening.
With players in the Irish training camp on Thursday and Friday and Ulster managing their own players ahead of a huge January, the Ulster side being named on Fridaywas likely to show changes in the double figures.
However, the strength in depth is again reflected with the likes of Paul Marshall, Roger Wilson, Lewis Stevenson all coming into the side.
It is a massive game for league leaders Ulster - they could go 13 points clear at the top of the PRO12 if they were to defeat third placed Munster.
However, defeat - Munster start as firm favourites - would still see Ulster nine points ahead of second placed Scarlets who lost to Ospreys on Wednesday.
The importance of squad members getting a game has been shown previously this season during the double header in Italy and it also keeps things fresh and players interested.
Ulster head coach, Mark Anscombe said: “We sat down with Declan Kidney and discussed given guys that have been to National Camps this week some time off.
“It was either a case of resting a good few for the Leinster game or a good few this week.
“With Leinster being at home we wanted to get a monkey off our backs against them.
“We are resting a few this week, but we are still happy with what we have got.
“We have talked over the course of the year about the depth of the squad and being able to survive when you do not have certain players.
“When you play 30-plus games, player welfare is important if you are going to survive and as we have seen with Stephen Ferris and Tommy Bowe, injuries can happen at any time.”
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