Murphy names an unchanged team from the Round 17, 23-21 victory against Leinster at Kingspan Stadium. The victory meant that Ulster secured play-off rugby in the top eight of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

A win over Munster would also mean the province would claim the Irish Shield, which is given to the Irish province with the best head-to-head record over the URC campaign.

Lock Alan O’Connor continues to captain the team, joining Kieran Treadwell in the second row.

Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead prop, Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole completes the front row at tighthead prop.

The back row sees Cormac Izuchukwu at blindside flanker, David McCann at openside flanker and Nick Timoney at eight.

After his BKT Player of the Match performance against Leinster, John Cooney, starts at scrum-half where he is joined by Billy Burns at fly-half.

Jacob Stockdale and Mike Lowry start on the left and right wing, respectively.

Stuart McCloskey and Will Addison start together in the centre positions.

Ethan McIlroy completes the XV at full-back.

The forward options are Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Matty Rea.

Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore form the back options.

Munster v Ulster, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 18, Thomond Park, live on RTE, Premier Sports, BBC Radio Foyle and URC.tv.

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore.

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