Ulster make five changes for vital Benetton game

Ireland player Stuart McCloskey's return at centre is among five Ulster changes from the last-gasp win over Cardiff for Friday's United Rugby Championship home contest against Benetton.

McCloskey replaces Jude Postlethwaite in one of four personnel changes to the backs.

James Hume's unavailability because of a knee injury sustained against Cardiff means that Rob Baloucoune returns at wing, with Michael Lowry and Will Addison switching to full-back and centre.

Billy Burns and John Cooney are drafted into the half-back roles after Jake Flannery and Nathan Doak picked up knocks against Cardiff.

The sole change to last weekend's starting pack has Reuben Crothers taking over from Marcus Rea in the back row.

Ulster go into the crucial contest outside the play-off positions in 10th spot but are only three points behind the fifth-placed Italian outfit.

Scrum-half Cooney kicked Ulster's winning penalty in the 19-17 win over Cardiff.

It will be one of his one half-back outings with Burns, who moves to Munster at the end of this season.

Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Addision, McCloskey, Stockdale; Burns, Cooney; O'Sullivan, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, O'Connor (capt); Ewers, Crothers, McCann.

Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, French, Izuchukwu, Jones, Shanahan, Marshall, McIlroy.