With both teams looking to continue winning ways in the BKT United Rugby Championship, the Ulster men are set to face what will likely be their toughest challenge yet this season as Leo Cullen’s Leinster make the journey to Belfast.

Following a 12-try extravaganza in Parc y Scarlets last weekend, which saw the province depart Wales with the maximum five points, and a place at the top of the league table on points difference, Dan McFarland and the squad will be looking to make it a hattrick, and back-up their hard-fought home and away victories over their Irish rival last season.

After a somewhat shaky start in Italy against Zebre, Leinster left nothing to chance when it came to putting 42 points on Benetton in Round 2. While for Ulster this will be their second Interpro at home already this season, Head Coach, Dan McFarland, is in no doubt as to the contest that lies ahead:

“It’s one of the biggest games of the year, if not, the biggest game of the year in terms of interest, and the fact that it’s a home game for us. Leinster is a team that plays really good rugby, and they will test us both sides of the ball.

“We’ve been tested a fair bit in different ways over the last two rounds, but Leinster bring an all-round game that will test all aspects of our game. It will be a good barometer, and I look forward to seeing how we go.”

Tickets are still available for Friday’s game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

Luke Marshall to hit 150 caps milestone

Ulster born and bred, Luke Marshall, is set to run-out in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium for his 150thcap this Friday.

After an explosive return from injury saw him score the first try of the new season against Connacht, Academy graduate Marshall is once again set to form the centre partnership with Stuart McCloskey, who himself hit the 150-cap milestone the last time the Leinster men were in town.

In a homegrown back three unchanged from last week’s victory, and with an average age of 24, winger Jacob Stockdale will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 27 carries in the BKT URC 2 so far. He is once again joined by fast-as-lightening Aaron Sexton, who made his first start for the province last week, alongside full-back Michael Lowry who played his part in Ulster making the most metres in Round 2, with a personal tally of 143.

Last weekend’s Player of the Match, scrum-half John Cooney, who was in unstoppable form with 30 points to his name by the end of a fast-paced win over former Ulster coach Dwayne Peel’s side, is again coupled with fly-half Billy Burns, who crossed the whitewash for Ulster’s fifth try on Saturday past.

Captain, Alan O’Connor, meanwhile retains his position at lock, and is joined in the second row by Kieran Treadwell, in a starting line-up which sees only one change from last week’s win. Matty Rea will be joined in the back row by brother, Marcus, who is becoming synonymous with the turnover, and Ireland international, Nick Timoney, at Number 8.

Hooker, Rob Herring, will bring his experience gained in the green jersey once again to set-up as he is joined in the front row by props, Andy Warwick and Tom O’Toole, who are both products of Ulster’s Academy pipeline.

Forward cover will be provided by John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, who contributed to last week’s try tally, Sam Carter, and Greg Jones. While David Shanahan, Angus Curtis, and Ben Moxham are on the backline bench.

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 3, Friday 30 September at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC 2 NI from 7 15pm, Premier Sports, RTÉ & URC.tv:

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Aaron Sexton, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, David Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Ben Moxham.

And the opposition…