Ulster have received a significant fitness boost with winger Robert Baloucoune declared fit to start in Friday's European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Bilbao.
Baloucoune was expected to be sidelined for three months after suffering an elbow injury during Ireland's Six Nations win over Scotland in March. However, the 28-year-old has recovered ahead of schedule and has been named on the right wing by head coach Richie Murphy as Ulster aim to end a 20-year trophy drought.
The in-form winger, who has scored six tries in seven appearances for Ulster this season, joins Mike Lowry and leading try-scorer Zac Ward in the back three. Jacob Stockdale has already been ruled out of the final.
In midfield, Jude Postlethwaite partners James Hume in the absence of Stuart McCloskey, while the first-choice half-back pairing of Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak returns after starting last week's United Rugby Championship loss to Glasgow on the bench.
Up front, Angus Bell starts at loose-head prop for his Ulster farewell before returning to Australia, with Tom O'Toole at tight-head. Tom Stewart takes over at hooker after Rob Herring was ruled out with a calf problem.
With captain Iain Henderson suspended, Harry Sheridan partners Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row. Flanker David McCann has returned to fitness and starts alongside stand-in skipper Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus in the back row.
Murphy has opted for a five-three split on the replacements bench, with forwards James McCormick, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, and Bryn Ward providing cover, while Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Ethan McIlroy are the backline options.
Ulster's last silverware was the 2006 Celtic League (now URC), and their sole European triumph remains the 1999 European Cup. Their opponents, Montpellier, are two-time Challenge Cup winners and currently sit second in France's Top 14. They are captained by former England number eight Billy Vunipola.
Montpellier v Ulster
Challenge Cup Final
Friday, 22 May, 20:00 BST
Listen on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster; build-up and live text on BBC Sport app & website
Line-ups
Montpellier: T Banks; G Ngandebe, A Vincent, A Cadot, D Taofifenua; D Miotti, A Price; E Forletta, J Uelese, M Haouas, F Verhaeghe, T Duguid, L Nouchi, A Becognee, B Vunipola (capt).
Replacements: L Akrab, B Erdocio, W Hounkpatin, A Beard, M Tauleigne, L Coly, T Darmon, J Echegaray.
Ulster: M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward; J Murphy, N Doak; A Bell, T Stewart, T O'Toole, H Sheridan, C Izuchukwu, D McCann, N Timoney (captain), J Augustus.
Replacements: J McCormick, E O'Sullivan, S Wilson, C Irvine, B Ward, C McKee, J Flannery, E McIlroy.