Les Kiss rings the changes for Ulster’s trip to Glasgow

Les Kiss has made a total of nine personnel and positional changes as Ulster hope to maintain their unbeaten run of three wins from the opening three games against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday (kick off: 7.35pm).

Returning Irish international Jared Payne will make his first appearance of the season as he starts at full-back, in a back three that sees Charles Piutau move to the left wing, with Louis Ludik starting on the right.

Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson, who have both already picked up Man of the Match awards in the opening three rounds, are retained at half-back, while Stuart McCloskey will be joined in the midfield by Darren Cave.

Rob Herring will captain the side from hooker and will be joined in the front row by Andy Warwick and Rodney Ah You, while Franco van der Merwe comes in to join Alan O’Connor in the second row.

Following a second half appearance in last week’s victory over Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium, Iain Henderson will start against Glasgow and will be partnered in the back row by Sean Reidy and Roger Wilson.

Ireland captain Rory Best will hope to make his first appearance of the season as he makes up a strong looking list of replacements alongside fellow forwards Callum Black, Ross Kane, Pete Browne and Clive Ross. Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding and Rob Lyttle cover the back-line from the bench.

ULSTER: J Payne, L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey, C Piutau; P Jackson, R Pienaar; A Warwick, R Herring (captain), R Ah You, A O'Connor, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, S Reidy, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Best, C Black, R Kane, P Browne, C Ross, P Marshall, S Olding, R Lyttle.