Stewart set for Ulster return against Leinster

Tom Stewart has not played so far this season because of an ankle injury

Ulster's Ireland hooker Tom Stewart is in line to make his first appearance of the season for the province after being named in the replacements for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster at Kingspan Stadium.

Stewart has been out of action so far this season because of an ankle injury.

Prop Scott Wilson will make his first start of the campaign as he is named in place of the Ireland-tied Tom O'Toole in one of five changes to the starting line-up from the defeat by Cardiff a month ago.

On that occasion, Ulster squandered a 19-0 half-time lead as they lost 21-19.

Stewart Moore takes over at full-back from Ethan McIlroy while Ben Carson is drafted in at centre, with Stuart McCloskey unavailable because of his commitments with the Ireland squad.

With Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu both on Ireland duty, Alan O'Connor returns to the second row and will skipper the side while James McNabney is handed a back-row start.

Wing Zac Ward is unavailable after being concussed in Ulster's A game against their Connacht counterparts last weekend while coach Richie Murphy is also without Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee), Ethan McIlroy (ankle) and Sean Reffell (ankle).

Leaders Leinster make 11 changes from their last outing against the Lions but are still able to include Ireland internationals Jack Conan, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O'Brien, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Will Connors and Max Deegan.

Leinster's bench includes Springboks star RG Snyman, Scott Penny and the second of their Byrne fly-half brothers Harry, who is also an Ireland international.

Leo Cullen's side lead the United Rugby Championship table by six points after their six opening wins while Ulster are 13 points off the pace in seventh spot after mixing three wins with three defeats.

Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (capt)

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny,