Iain Henderson to return for Leinster showdown

Ulster Head Coach, Dan McFarland, has made four changes to the side that defeated Edinburgh in last week’s thrilling semi-final at BT Murrayfield.

Alan O’Connor will partner Henderson in the second row, while the front row of Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole is retained.

The back row sees one change, with Sean Reidy coming into the starting line-up at openside flanker. Matthew Rea takes the blindside flanker position and Marcell Coetzee packs down at number eight.

The back three sees two positional switches, with Jacob Stockdale moving to the left wing, while Rob Lyttle swaps over to the right.

Joining them at full-back is Michael Lowry, returning to the starting XV. Stuart McCloskey - who, along with John Cooney, was named in the Guinness PRO14 Dream Team earlier this week - continues his midfield partnership with James Hume.

All Black scrum-half, Alby Mathewson, will make his first start for Ulster alongside Billy Burns at fly-half.

McFarland has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench where John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy and Nick Timoney will offer the forward backup, and the backline cover is provided by John Cooney and Ian Madigan.

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