The centre is included in place of Doug Howlett, who is struggling for fitness himself, in head coach Tony McGahan’s only change to last week's squad.

Prop Darragh Hurley has also recovered from a knock and is expected to play a part in Saturday's crucial game.

Meanwhile Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 26-man squad for the province's final Magners League clash before the break for the autumn internationals.

Off the back of last weekend's interprovincial victory over Leinster, table toppers Ulster head to Thomond Park to meet the reigning league champions.

Talking about the much-anticipated league derby, Ulster forwards coach Jeremy Davidson said: "We'll wait and see. Everyone is waiting for Munster to click. We've seen it in the past and really, when they are strong on their day they can beat any team.

"We realise that and know that a 10 out of 10 performance remains the key.

"We know, especially after last year when everything went right for us down there, that we are going to have a really tight game.

"Rome wasn't built in a day. We are only a third of the way through the season and we still have a number of tricky games to play. Our focus will remain to play top level rugby week after week."