Alan Solomons today announced his team for Ulster's opening game of the new Celtic League season while Munster opted for naming a 32-strong squad.
Ireland flanker Andy Ward will captain Ulster for the Pool A game against Welsh outfit Ebbw Vale, which kicks-off at 7.30 p.m. this Friday at Eugene Cross Park.
Ulster were defeated by losing finalists Munster in last year's semi-final in a season when the home provinces dominated the competition. Champions Leinster conquered Munster 24-20 in the final at Lansdowne Road.
Munster will tackle another Welsh side Llanelli in their opener at Stradey Park this Saturday. Key players, Paul O’Connell, David Wallace and Anthony Horgan, were not considered because of injury.
Meanwhile, Ulster under-21 coach Gerald McCarter has named his squad of 26 players for the forthcoming short tour to England and Interprovincial Series.
The U-21’s travel to England on the August 29th where they will play a team from Staines RFC (August 29th at 7.30 p.m.) and an Irish Exiles team (September 1st at 2.00 p.m.).
Their Interprovinvial Series kicks off on the September 7th when they play Leinster at Ravenhill in Belfast.
Ulster team:
15 - Paddy Wallace, 14 - Sheldon Coulter, 13 - Ryan Constable, 12 Johnny Bell, 11 - Tyrone Howe, 10 - David Humphreys, 9 - Neil Doak, 1 - Robbie Kempson, 2 - Matt Sexton, 3 - Simon Best, 4 - Gary Longwell, 5 - Jeremy Davidson, 6 - Andy Ward (Captain), 7 - Warren Brosnihan, 8 - Russell Nelson
Replacements:16 - Justin Fitzpatrick, 17 - Paul Shields, 18 - Tony McWhirter, 19 - Neil McMillan, 20 - Kieran Campbell, 21 - Adam Larkin, 22 - Bryn Cunningham
Munster Squad:
(Forwards) James Blaney, John Fogarty, Anthony Foley, Mick Galwey, Eddie Halvey, John Hayes, Trevor Hogan, Marcus Horan, Simon Kerr, Denis Leamy, Colm McMahon, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Warren O'Kelly, Alan Quinlan, Frank Sheahan, Jim Williams (capt).
(Backs) Dominic Crotty, Rob Henderson, Jason Holland, Clinton Huppert, Killian Keane, John Kelly, Mossy Lawlor, Conor Mahony, Dominic Malone, Mike Mullins, Ronan O'Gara, John O'Neill, Mike Prendergast, Jeremy Staunton, Peter Stringer.
Ulster U21 Squad:
Jamie Kilbane (Belfast Harlequins), Niall Conlon (Instonians), Michael Stokes (QUB), Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins), Philip Currie (Portadown), Niall Greenan (Belfast Harlequins), Neil McComb (Belfast Harlequins), John Boyd (Malone), Wayne McAfee (Ballymena), Paul Minnis (Belfast Harlequins), Reuben Lucas (QUB), Michael McComish (Ballymena), Adam Hayes (Belfast Harlequins), Paul Roxborough (Coleraine), Michael Granlees (Belfast Harlequins), Ian Humphries (Ballymena), Neil Patterson (Coleraine), Richard McCarter (QUB), Tommy Bowe (QUB) Claude Crawford (Banbridge), Gareth Martin (Banbridge) Nnandi Ozo (Belfast Harlequins), Luke Brewin (Leicester Tigers), Michael Rainey (Glasgow), Johnny McLaughlin (Belfast Harlequins).