McCloskey and Timoney return as Humphreys starts for Ulster

Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney return for Ulster against Zebre on Saturday (19:45 GMT) with James Humphreys making his first start.

Six Nations Player of the Tournament nominee McCloskey will be partnered by the returning James Hume with Timoney back in at openside flanker as Richie Murphy makes 10 changes to the side that lost to Connacht last week.

McCloskey and Timoney were given last week off following their exploits on the international stage while Hume was absent for Ulster's first home defeat of the season with concussion.

With first-choice fly-half Jack Murphy out with a rib injury and Jake Flannery also unavailable, Murphy has turned to Humphreys who has made one appearance for Ulster this season - coming off the bench in their Challenge Cup defeat to Cardiff in December.

The son of former Ulster fly-half and current IRFU technical director David, the 24-year-old featured four times last season and starts alongside Conor McKee in a new half-backs partnership with Nathan Doak named among the replacements.

There is also a full-back alteration as Ethan McIlroy replaces Mike Lowry.

Werner Kok and Zac Ward start on the wings as the only backs to keep their place in the side from that 26-19 loss.

Experienced prop Eric O'Sullivan comes into the front row with academy product Tom McAllister making his second start for the province either side of Rob Herring in an all-changed front three as Australia international Angus Bell is named on a strong Ulster bench.

Iain Henderson captains the side from the second row and is partnered by Joe Hopes.

David McCann retains his place at blindside flanker, with Timoney replacing Marcus Rea at openside.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Humphreys, McKee; O'Sullivan, Herring, McAllister; Henderson, Hopes; McCann, B Ward, Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson Ben Moxham