VERMEULEN TAKES ULSTER ARMBAND

URC: Ulster Zebre Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm

BY DEREK FOLEY

WORLD CUP-WINNING Springbok Duane Vermeulen (left) will captain Ulster for the first time in Belfast tonight.

Dan Mcfarland has opted to rest his November series Ireland internationals and Iain Henderson, returning

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form injury, is on the bench.

This allows recent Emerging Ireland star Cormac Izuchukwu to partner Sam Carter in the second-row.

While Jake Flannery is set to make his debut. The 23-year-old will partner 20 year-old Neil Doak at half-back.

Jacob Stockdale returns to play on the left-wing.

Michael Mcdonald will make his Ulster debut if used from the bench.

Parma will have England international Matt Kvesic at No8.

“We are excited to see Matt Kvesic at work, in this first opportunity,” said Parma coach Fabio Roselli. ULSTER:

L Marshall, J Stockdale; J Flannery, N Doak; C Reid, T Stewart, M Moore, C Izuchukwu, S Carter, M Rea, M Rea, D Vermeulen (capt). Subs: J Andrew, A Warwick, J Toomaga-allen, I Henderson, D Mccann, M Mcdonald, A Curtis, B Moxham

ZEBRE PARMA: L Pani; J Trulla, R Kriel, E Lucchin (capt), S Gesi; G Prisciantelli, C Cook; J Pitinari, J Du Toit, M Nocera, J Uys, A Zambonin, G Volpi, G Ferrari, M Kvesic. Subs: M Manfredi, D Rimpelli, R Genovese, L Krumov, I Bianchi, R Jelic, J Caputo, E Cronjé.