Ulster and Munster make changes for Belfast Interpro

Ulster and Munster have both named much-changed sides for Friday night's United Rugby Championship Interpro at Kingspan Stadium, as they count the cost of last week's Champions Cup defeats.

Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Cormac Izuchukwu and Nathan Doak all miss out for Richie Murphy's side after picking up injuries in the 40-19 loss against Bordeaux-Begles, but John Cooney is available again, and starts at scrum-half.

Munster's defeat to Castres has also limited Ian Costello's options, with Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams on the long-term injury list, while Peter O'Mahony and Diarmuid Barron have failed to shake off knocks picked up in France.

Captain Tadhg Beirne is also unavailable to the province due to IRFU player management.

Cooney returns at scrum-half for Ulster having missed both Champions Cup defeats due to a hamstring injury, and the 34-year-old comes in for Doak as one of five changes to the team.

It's the only change to the backline, which sees out-half Aidan Morgan and wing Werner Kok both start after being doubtful in the week due to injury.

Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite pair up in a powerful looking centre partnership, while Sevens international Zac Ward starts again on the left wing, with Mike Lowry continuing at full-back.

The bulk of the changes are in the pack, with Andrew Warwick starting over Eric O'Sullivan at loosehead, and joining Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole in the front row.

Alan O'Connor comes in to replace the injured Henderson at lock, and captains the team alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row.

James McNabney and Marcus Rea start at flanker, with Izuchukwu and Timoney ruled out, while David McCann keeps his place at number 8.

Munster have made six changes with all but one of them