Penalty given for the high challenge, and Nathan Doak gladly takes the points from in front of the sticks

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

It's great to see Ethan McIlroy walking off to a standing ovation as there was real concern for a while as the stretcher was raced onto the pitch and a lot of work going on with the medics.

He's looking groggy as he is helped off but I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we wish him a speedy recovery!

The TMO is having a look at Shane Daly's try-saving challenge there on Ethan McIlroy.

It's adjudged high on the head and a yellow card is given.

McIlroy looks groggy but good to see he's walking off, Jude Postlethwaite on.

Finally, Ulster have some ball and pressure.

A maul and some smart passing almost sees Ethan McIlroy dive over but he's stopped on the line. The full-back looks like he has taken a nasty knock there and the physios are on.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

That was relentless pressure from the URC holders and they've finally made it count as Casey scampers over.

There are plenty of boos from the Ulster support who are pretty unhappy with some of the officiating to date, but it's the scoreboard that counts and Munster hold the lead.

Penalty this time after Greg MGrath collapses in scrum.

Not surprisingly go for the scrum close to the posts.

Another penalty for a scrum offence and another scrum called. Could be an early yellow card soon.

Stuart McCloskey now getting in on the act with a nudge-on under the Munster posts. Scrum Munster, and plenty of options either side.

The surface may prevent slips, but it's not helping Ulster with their handling. This time it's Jacob Stockdale with the knock-on inside his 22, a dangerous position for the scrum

Cormac Izuchukwu with the fumble on the halfway line and it's the first scrum of the night to Munster.

Billy Burns gets the ball flying, long into the Munster 22.

Can the men in white make it two home wins from two? Lets find out!

Image source, Inpho

Munster have suffered an injury blow with confirmation that their World Cup-winning South African lock RG Snyman is to undergo surgery.

The province said Snyman, 28, injured his "chest/shoulder" during the Springboks' World Cup final win over New Zealand on 28 October.

In a squad update issued on Monday, Munster did not provide a timeline for Snyman's return.

He made six appearances during the Boks' successful World Cup defence.

Used off the bench, Snyman scored South Africa's only try in their semi-final victory over England and helped his country hold off New Zealand in the final as they extended their reign as world champions.

Snyman has been plagued by injuries since joining Munster in 2020, spending two significant periods on the sidelines because of separate anterior cruciate ligament injuries before helping the province win the United Rugby Championship title in May.

Ulster hooker Tom Stewart says his primary goal with the Irish province this season is to become the first-choice player in his position.

An outstanding breakthrough campaign last term saw the 22-year-old challenge Rob Herring for the number two shirt.

He capped off a series of impressive performances by scoring a record 16 tries in the United Rugby Championship.

"It's a big year for me to get into that number two spot and to compete with Rob at the top," said Stewart.

"At the end of the day we're all professionals, we're all competing at the high end of professional sport and we all want to be at the top, we all want to be number one, that will be my main goal this year," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I have a bit to do. Rob definitely won't make it easy for me - he's an incredible player."

Unbeaten Connacht moved to the top of the United Rugby Championship table with a 22-20 comeback win against Ulster at the Sportsground.

Jake Flannery scored 13 first-half points for Ulster including a well-taken try after second row Harry Sheridan made a break.

Dave Shanahan scored Ulster's second try on 42 minutes but Cathal Forde and Tom Farrell responded for the hosts.

Diarmuid Kilgallen touched down with five minutes to play to snatch the win.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

There's definitely a different buzz in the air when your Irish rivals come to town.

Even compared to the game against the Bulls, which had the hype surrounding the new pitch, you can feel a bit of electricity in the air walking to the stadium as both sets of supporters mingle.

Ulster had a bit of an injury crisis after last week's defeat by Connacht, so it will be interesting to see how the big guns settle back into life in the URC.

It's been a nice autumnal day in Belfast. But, as it's Belfast, we have had a few heavy showers and, as it's Belfast, it's all bitterly cold this evening.

Things are set up nicely.

Ulster

Centre Stuart McCloskey and hooker Tom Stewart are two of 11 changes to Ulster's starting line-up for Friday's United Rugby Championship derby against Munster in Belfast.

Stewart returns as captain and McCloskey makes his first appearance of the season as both sides welcome back their Ireland World Cup players.

Club captain Iain Henderson and fellow forward Rob Herring are on the Ulster bench.

Jeremy Loughman starts for Munster.

Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Tadhg Beirne and Dave Kilcoyne are held back for now, meaning looshead prop Loughman is one of five changes from their win over the Dragons last week.

Second row, Fineen Wycherley makes his 100th appearance, John Hodnett replaces the ill Jack O'Donoghue in the back row while Jack Crowley comes in at out-half having played off the bench against the Dragons.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy, Rob Baloucoune, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart (capt), Greg McGrath; Cormac Izuchukwu, Kieran Treadwell; Marcus Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson, Dave Ewers, John Cooney, Jake Flannery, Ben Moxham, Jude Postlethwaite.

Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Seán O'Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (capt), John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Alex Kendellen, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Ben O'Connor.

The United Rugby Championship is in full flow and Ulster are back in action against their inter-provincial rivals in the form of Munster.

It's a second outing on Ulster's 3G pitch and Dan McFarland's men will be looking to make it`back-to-back wins on their new surface.

McFarland will also be keen to show that the defeat by Connacht in Galway last time out was just a blip.

URC holders Munster have started the season well and have two bonus-point wins and a draw. They'll be looking to get one over their Irish rivals this evening.

You can follow all the action here, so you won't miss a thing!