Kitshoff faces captain Kolisi in home debut

FACE OFF: Ulster's Steven Kitshoff will face his South African teammate and captain Siya Kolisi when they play Racing 92 on Saturday. Pic: @INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Champions Cup: Ulster v Racing 92, Kingspan Stadium, 8pm

World Cup-winner Steven Kitshoff is set to run out for his first home game for Ulster in Europe today, where he will face his international captain and colleague Siya Kolisi. Dan McFarland's side aim to kickstart their European campaign following last week's 37-14 opening day defeat in Bath.

But they face a formidable challenge in French powerhouses Racing 92, Stuart Lancaster's visitors themselves smarting from a thrilling 31-28 home defeat by Harlequins. Racing also have South Africa's Trevor Nyakane in their ranks.

Iain Henderson leads Ulster with McFarland making four changes. Rob Herring, Mike Lowry, John Cooney and Matty Rea are all recalled.

Henderson is accompanied in the second row by fellow veteran Alan O'Connor. Kitshoff is joined in the front row by Tom O'Toole, who keeps his position as tighthead prop, and Herring, back at hooker.

Dave Ewers continues at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney lining up in the seven jersey, while Rea gets the nod at eight to complete the back-row.

Experienced pair Billy Burns and John Cooney form the half-back axis. Rob Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale continue to occupy the left and right wings, respectively. The centre duo of Stuart McCloskey and James Hume continue, while injury returnee Lowry starts at full-back.

"I'm quite excited to see Siya," Kitshoff told BBC Sport.

"It looks like he's being settling in very well in Paris, so I'm very happy for him. He's been an exceptional leader for the Boks for the last four or five years.

"What he accomplished with his ACL tear and then being back within four months and leading the team the way he did was exceptional.

"I'm extremely proud of the person he's become and I'm looking forward to bashing him a bit this weekend!"

Scrum-half Nolann le Garrec was Racing's star man against Quins, crossing twice and converting all four of the French side’s tries.

ULSTER: Lowry; Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, Stockdale; Burns, Cooney; Kitshoff, Herring, O'Toole, O'Connor, Henderson (capt), Ewers, Timoney, Rea.

Replacements: Stewart, O'Sullivan, M Moore, Treadwell, Sheridan, Doak, Flannery, S Moore.

RACING 92: Spring; Arundell, Fickou, Chavancy, Imhoff; Gibert, Le Garrec; Kolingar, Tarrit, Nyakane, Chouzenoux, Rowlands, Woki, Kolisi, Lauret.

Replacements: Ben Arous, Gogichashvili, Kharaishvili, Sanconnie, Diallo, Baudonne, Tedder, Tabuavou.