Bowe and Jackson to make first starts of the season for Ulster

Ireland internationals Tommy Bowe and Paddy Jackson both make their first starts of the season for Ulster on Friday in the away match against Cardiff Blues.

There have been five changes made to the Ulster starting 15 that beat Zebre comprehensively last weekend.

Louis Ludik joins Bowe in the back three, starting at full-back with Andrew Trimble on the right and Bowe on the left.

Stuart Olding was a replacement last week, but starts Friday’s match at inside centre while Darren Cave remains at outside centre.

Jackson joins Paul Marshall in the half-backs and there is an unchanged front row of Andrew Warwick, Wiehahn Herbst and captain Rory Best.

The final change sees Franco van der Merwe return to the second row.

Ulster team in full: L Ludik, A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, T Bowe, P Jackson, P Marshall, A Warwick, R Best - capt, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams.

Replacements: R Herring, C Black, B Ross, N McComb, R Wilson, M Heaney, I Humphreys, C Gilroy.

Cardiff Blues team in full: R Patchell, A Cuthbert, A Thomas, G Evans, R Smith, G Davies, L Jones, S Hobbs, M Rees - capt, A Jones, J Hoeata, F Paulo, J Turnbull, J Navidi, M Vosawai.

Replacements: R Williams, T Filise, S Andrews, M Cook, E Jenkins, L Williams, C Allen, G Walsh.

The match kicks-off in BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Friday September 19 at 7.35pm.