ULSTER will be without internationals Jeremy Davidson and David Humphreys for their meeting with Australia in Belfast on Saturday.
The London Irish duo are both required for their club's crucial English League Division One game against Wasps that day.
However, this double blow is partially softened by the recall of former Scotland A out half Stuart Laing. He is a prolific goalkicker and has impressed this season while playing as a stand in for Humphreys.
Gary Longwell, a seasoned veteran, returns to the second row in place of Davidson and will partner Irish international Paddy Johns, who has been released by Saracens.
Ulster can call on four other capped players as well as Johns. Mark McCall and Maurice Field are the centres, flanker Denis McBride will captain Ulster and James Topping, who made his Ireland debut in the defeat by Western Samoa last night, is on the right wing.