Ulster opt for consistency as Leinster ring changes

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy makes just one change for Friday's United Rugby Championship inter-provincial derby against Leinster at Affidea Stadium (19:45 BST).

Sean Reffell comes in to replace Nick Timoney in the only change from the side that beat La Rochelle in last weekend's Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Once again, there is a front three of Angus Bell, hooker Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole, while team captain Iain Henderson is joined in the second row by Cormac Izuchukwu.

While Reffell comes in at open-side flanker, David McCann retains his place at blind-side with Juarno Augustus at number eight.

Nathan Doak claimed the player of the match award after last week's win over the French side and he partners Jack Murphy in the half-backs.

The midfield pairing of Stuart McCloskey and James Hume remains, while Zac Ward and Werner Kok occupy the wings as Jacob Stockdale continues at full-back.

There are no changes on the bench with Murphy retaining the same eight as last week in a five-three split.

In contrast, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made 12 changes from the side that began last week's Investec Champions Cup quarter-final win over Sale Sharks, with Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast among those returning to the line-up.

Props Jerry Cahir and Thomas Clarkson and hooker Ronan Kelleher form a changed front row, with James Ryan captaining the side at lock.

Alex Soroka, Scott Penny and number eight James Culhane come into the back row.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back with Robbie Henshaw coming in alongside Garry Ringrose at centre this week, while there are changes on the wings where Joshua Kenny and Jimmy O'Brien start.

In a six-two bench split, there is a place for prop Ed Byrne who returned to the province this week on a short-term loan.

Ulster are third in the URC table, a point and a place above Leinster.

Leinster won 24-20 when the sides met at Aviva Stadium in December.

Ulster: Stockdale; Kok, Z Ward, Hume, McCloskey; Murphy Doak; Bell, Stewart, O'Toole, Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu, McCann, Reffell, Augustus.

Replacements: McCormick, Crean, Wilson, Sheridan, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, Postlethwaite.

Leinster: Keenan; Kenny, Ringrose, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Prendergast, McGrath; Cahir, Kelleher, Clarkson, Deeny, Ryan (capt), Soroka, Penny, Culhane.