European Challenge Cup: Iain Henderson returns for Ulster's Montpellier trip

Henderson missed Ulster's Stormers defeat in Cape Town through illness

Fit-again Ulster captain Iain Henderson returns to the side for Sunday's European Challenge Cup last-16 match against Montpellier.

Henderson missed last week's United Rugby Championship defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town through illness.

Alan O'Connor also returns to partner Henderson in the second row.

Stewart Moore replaces Mike Lowry at full-back while Jacob Stockdale is named on the bench after missing the trip to South Africa.

Interim head coach Richie Murphy opts for a 6-2 split on the bench with Jake Flannery joining Stockdale as the other back option.

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South Africa's two-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff, who will leave Ulster at the end of the season, is retained at loosehead prop.

Kitshoff is part of an unchanged front row alongside Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole, with Matty Rea, David McCann and Nick Timoney again forming the back row.

Moore is the only alteration amongst the backs with Rob Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy retained on the wings, James Hume and Stuart McCloskey continuing in midfield and Nathan Doak and John Cooney remaining in the half-backs.

Ulster are aiming for a first win under Murphy and hope to extend their participation in European competition after being knocked out of the Investec Champions Cup group stages.

Montpellier are captained by Paul Willemse, who was sent off for France in their Six Nations defeat by Ireland earlier this year, while former England international Sam Simmonds returns at number eight.

Line-ups

Montpellier: Alexandre De Nardi; Gabriel Ngandebe, George Bridge, Auguste Cadot, Ben Lam; Louis Foursans, Aubin Eymeri; Gregory Fichten, Christopher Tolofua, Harry Williams, Florian Verhaeghe, Paul Willemse (capt), Alexandre Becognee, Clement Doumenc, Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: Vano Karkadze, Baptiste Erdocio, Lasha Macharashvili, Tyler Duguid, Yacouba Camara, Louis Carbonel, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Pierre Lucas.

Ulster: Stewart Moore; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy; Nathan Doak, John Cooney; Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Alan O'Connor, Iain Henderson (capt), Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jake Flannery, Jacob Stockdale, Dave Ewers.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)