Niall Malone, now contracted by Ulster as ostensibly a full-back following the signing of Paddy Wallace, has been moved there by his club with Robin Morrow moving from full-back to wing in place of Andy Park while Sheldon Coulter returns from injury at centre. David Irwin comes into the second-row in the continuing absence of Alan Robinson (back injury).

BELFAST HARLEQUINS (v Blackrock): N Malone; J Lowe, S Coulter, S Dick, R Morrow; P Hancock, A Matchett; C Boyd, R Weir, S Best, K Rabie, D Irwin, G O'Loan, C McCarey, N Best.