Best and Stockdale back in Ulster starting line-up
The Wallaby is surrounded by fellow Test stars as Dan McFarland is able to name his strongest line-up of the season just in time for the first of the back-tobacks that will shape his side’s European season.
John Cooney, Stuart McCloskey and Jordi Murphy all made their return to the starting side after Ireland duty last weekend and they are joined in the starting side by skipper Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale.
Lock Iain Henderson and centre Will Addison are back too having been rested from that win over Cardiff. With Louis Ludik having banked two consecutive 80-minute outings since his return from a long-term hamstring issue, the South African switches to full-back with Addison at outside centre.
Darren Cave, recently back from a broken thumb, will provide experienced backline cover.
Out-half Billy Burns passed a HIA after being subbed against Cardiff last weekend, meaning Johnny McPhillips will again have to make do with a place on the bench.
Ulster come into the contest knowing that, having lost one and won one so far in the Champions Cup, a win is not imperative but would certainly set them up for a real run at claiming a first quarter-final spot since 2014.
With two home fixtures next up, and then finishing with a trip to Leicester, an away win would change the complexion of the pool.
If there is an area concern over the Ulster panel, however, it is in regards to the depth.
Eric O’Sullivan will again start at loosehead prop but, with Andy Warwick suffering an MCL injury and missing out for the first time this season, his back-up is Kyle McCall who has had no game-time for the senior side this season due to injury.
Indeed, McCall hasn’t played for Ulster since April, his two most recent outings since recovery coming for Ballynahinch in the All-Ireland League, but should he get off the bench it will be his 50th outing for the province.
It’s a similar story at lock where Alan O’Connor and Ian Nagle both miss out, meaning Matty Rea, really more of a back-rower, must provide cover for the second-row. Scarlets are a side who do nearly everything well. Having won the league in 2017, and only came undone when facing Leinster last season, they have retained much of that core even with the losses of John Barclay and Tadhg Beirne.
Uzair Cassiem is one recruit added to bolster their pack and, while he had a stop-start beginning to life in west Wales, he showed two weeks ago against Ulster how dangerous a player he can be with ball in hand.
And while lock Jake Ball misses out tonight, their back-row is boosted by the earlier than expected return to the side of James Davies.
Such a threat over the ball, Ulster will need their loose forwards to be tireless in their work if good ball is to be supplied to John Cooney and Billy Burns.
An expansive side who look to play with width, the returning Gareth Davies and Rhys Patchell form a dangerous half-back pairing, while with Steff Evans, Johnny McNicholl and Tom Prydie there is plenty of pace out wide.