Ulster to remember Nevin Spence at Ravenhill

Ireland’s summer debutant John Cooney will start his third successive game when Ulster tackle a star-studded Scarlets outfit on an emotional night at Ravenhilll (kick-off, 7.35pm).

The match is being played five years to the day since former Ulster and Ireland Wolfhounds centre Nevin Spence died in a tragic farming accident along with his father Noel and brother Graham and there will be a minute silence before kick-off.

Scrum-half Cooney, who spent many a match-day sitting on a cold bench at Leinster and Connacht, continues his partnership with Wallaby Christian Lealiifano and hoping to improve further following a man-of-the-match performance against Benetton last week. Cooney will have fellow Ireland tourist Luke Marshall back in midfield where he will partner Stuart McCloskey in the only change behind the scrum, while flanker Chris Henry returns to lead the side with loose-head Kyle McCall and lock Alan O’Connor also starting.