FLANNERY RETURNS

Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery is back in the squad for the next game for the Irish. Flannery has been out of action since October with a calf injury.

Flanker Alan Quinlan (dislocated elbow) will be out for up to two months and prop Dave Ryan (shoulder) faces several weeks on the sidelines.

Teenage winger Craig Gilroy has been left out of the Ulster squad while Irish hooker Rory Best is back after a broken cheekbone.

Gilroy is an absentee for the interprovincial showdown after scoring five tries in his first three Ulster appearances.