When Ulster coach Neil Doak named 33 players in his matchday panel for tonight’s friendly with Leinster (7.30pm), he said he was throwing down a challenge in his squad.

Ulster signalled its serious intent for tonight’s Guinness Pro12 semi-final at Glasgow Warriors by naming its strongest possible side.

Ulster will make some changes to the side which dramatically earned a last-gasp draw with Munster for the province’s final regular season Pro12 game at Glasgow Warriors on Saturday afternoon.