Ulster set to turn out near full strength

As Italian side Zebre continue their Irish mini tour with Munster tonight, they may feel that the 33-13 hiding they got in Belfast last week was the worst part of it over. Ravenhill more intimidating than Thomond? Consider.

With Andrew Trimble earning man of the match in Belfast and Tommy Bowe another one of the marquee names to roll out this week, Ulster have the luxury of allowing their try-scoring international Craig Gilroy warm the bench tonight in Cardiff Arms Park.

Coach Les Kiss also puts Paddy Jackson in for his first outing and Ruan Pienaar's absence will weigh heavily on the half backs as he'll miss up to six weeks.

Louis Ludik holds his place at fullback with Stuart Olding at inside centre coming into the side with Bowe. Ulster have 10 internationals playing with three more on the bench.

Jared Payne, who many would be watching this season as a 13 about to gain his Irish qualification, is recovering from a hip injury with Iain Henderson more unfortunately out of action for a few months.

Injuries aside, it is as strong a team as Ulster can field bar the absence of 23-year-old international centre Luke Marshall who was hauled ashore last week in the second half.

Marshall played for Ireland in the first Test of the summer against Argentina. But he has a bit to go now to catch the eye of Joe Schmidt, and indeed Kiss, in a highly competitive Ulster midfield where Cave's rib injury has cleared, thus allowing him to play his normal outside centre position alongside Olding.

There’s just one change to the pack where Franco van der Merwe returns to the secondrow engine room and starts alongside Dan Tuohy.

Cardiff's Mark Hammett is without Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton who is being rested with the decision linked with the open-side flanker's status as a centrally-contracted Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) player.

“We have an agreement with the union over Sam Warburton’s availability throughout the season and we have decided to make changes in the back row this week to ensure we get the very best out of him in the long

term,” said Hammet.

The 25-year-old is the only player contracted to the WRU. He signed in January after failing to agree a new deal with the Blues.

The new agreement between the union and regions has cleared the way for more players to be employed on “dual” contracts, jointly funded by the WRU and the regions. Not unlike in Ireland, where centrally contracted international players are carefully monitored, it could lead to more high-profile Welsh players having their appearances in Pro12 matches limited.