A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday’s game, with several sections of the stadium now sold out. Remaining tickets can be found at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

With both Ulster and Sale presently sitting just outside the top eight in Pool B, the Ulster men will be hoping that a home win, along with favourable results in the fixtures involving Montpellier and ASM Clermont Auvergne, would secure a place in the knockout stages of European rugby’s premier club competition for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

The stakes are similarly high for the Sharks – who will be aiming to extend a European run alongside an excellent domestic campaign that sees them currently placed second in the Gallagher English Premiership – and Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant is expecting another tough physical battle:

“It’s going to be a big challenge. We played them away and got well beaten. We know what to expect, they are a big physical team with some great players. We need to be more physical than we were last time, start the game better, there are lots of areas that we have addressed and have looked at. We need to be on it and give ourselves the best chance.”

In the absence of Iain Henderson, lock Alan O’Connor will lead the Ulster men, with Wallaby Sam Carter getting the nod alongside him in the engine room.

Academy prospect Harry Sheridan, who impressed in his senior debut off the bench in La Rochelle last weekend, is rewarded with a start at blindside flanker. Sheridan can lean on the experience of Irish international Nick Timoney and Springbok star Duane Vermeulen, who join him in the back row.

Packing down in the front row are Andy Warwick, hooker Tom Stewart – who will no doubt threaten to add to his impressive tally of seven tries so far this season – and Jeff Toomaga-Allen.

Behind the pack, Nathan Doak retains the number 9 jersey, with Billy Burns returning at fly-half.

The in-form Stuart McCloskey makes a welcome return at inside centre, with James Hume also available to restore a familiar midfield partnership.

The back three remains unchanged with Jacob Stockdale – one of the five Ulster players named in the Ireland Six Nations squad earlier this week – on the left wing, Rob Lyttle on the right, and Mike Lowry patrolling the backfield.

McFarland can call upon a wealth of experience from the Ulster bench, with seven Ireland internationals ready and waiting. Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Jordi Murphy will cover the forwards, with John Cooney, Ian Madigan and Ben Moxham providing the backline options.

Ulster Rugby team to play Sale Sharks, Heineken Champions Cup Round 4, Saturday 21 January at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 8pm), live on BT Sport:

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Rob Lyttle, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Sam Carter, Harry Sheridan, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

The Opposition