Ulster's Mike Lowry says there is "no bigger challenge" than facing Leinster.

Ulster welcome the Champions Cup finalists to Kingspan Stadium on Saturday for what is their penultimate fixture of the United Rugby Championship [URC] campaign.

After a bonus point win over Scarlets on Saturday, Ulster are in sixth place in the league table with only the top eight advancing to the play-offs.

Leinster are in second after their own weekend win over Welsh opposition, running in nine tries against the Ospreys in Dublin, and will take on Toulouse in the Champions Cup final seven days on from their trip to Belfast.

“There is no bigger challenge than Leinster," said Lowry, who made his 100th Ulster appearance in Llanelli.

"An interpro derby, it will be a special occasion. Hopefully the Kingspan is sold out.”

Image source, Inpho

Tom O'Toole returns to the Ulster line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) match against inter-provincial rivals Leinster in Belfast.

O'Toole, who did not feature in the win over Scarlets last week, replaces Scott Wilson at tighthead.

Ireland internationals Hugo Keenan and James Ryan returning for Leinster, who have rested several key players ahead of next week's Investec Champions Cup final against Toulouse.

The return of full-back Keenan and Ryan, who have missed much of 2024 through injury, is a boost before the European decider at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Read more about Friday's team announcements for the Kingspan Stadium encounter here, external.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Ethan McIlroy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Matty Rea, Stewart Moore, Andy Warwick, Harry Sheridan, Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien, Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell; Harry Byrne, Cormac Foley; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Michael Ala'alatoa; Brian Deeny, James Ryan (capt); Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan.

Replacements: John McKee, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ben Brownlee.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster forward Kieran Treadwell on the challenge that awaits his side against their interprovincial rivals:

"Leinster have a good squad, no matter what," said Treadwell.

"It's really not about them, we have to focus on ourselves.

"We need to put our best foot forward and put a performance out on the pitch.

"We want to be in the best competitions, to play against the best teams and test ourselves against the best.

"It's massive for us to get into those play-off positions."

More from Ulster's second row here.

Image source, Inpho

Will Addison will be among nine players to leave Ulster at the end of this season.

The 31-year-old arrived from Sale Sharks in 2018 and has made 41 appearances for the side through a stint that featured several long spells out through injury.

Of those 41 games, 15 have come this season including starts in each of the past three games.

Qualified for Ireland though his mother, he also won five caps for the national side between 2018 and 2021.

Read the full story here.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said it was "nice to finally put to bed" speculation surrounding his future after he was confirmed as the province's permanent boss.

The former Ireland Under-20 head coach signed a two-year deal on Monday after he had initially come in as interim boss in March.

He replaces Dan McFarland, who left in February after five and a half years at the helm.

Murphy admits discussions about his long-term future at Ulster started soon after his arrival.

"Things have been going on in the background for a while, it is not something I have been massively focused on, I have just come in to do the job," he said.

"I'm excited now to move on to the next stage, Ulster feels like a big part of Belfast so it's really good in that regard."

Read more of Richie Murphy's thoughts after being appointed Ulster head coach on a permanent basis here, external.

Good evening and welcome to our live text and audio coverage of the URC interprovincial game between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium for what is likely to be the hosts' final home match of the season in Belfast.

The game is the first for Richie Murphy since he was confirmed as Ulster head coach in a permanent capacity as his side target a win which could seal their place in the end-of-season play-offs, in next season's Champions Cup and complete a rare double over Leinster in the one season, the northerners having triumphed in Dublin on New Year's Day.

Leinster's team selection reflects the fact that next Saturday they will face Toulouse in the final of the Investec Champions Cup but Leo Cullen's squad strength in depth means they still field a formidable line-up despite resting some key players ahead of next week's encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Leinster, who lie second in the URC standings, will want to ensure they retain the second spot which would ensure they play their quarter-final and potential semi-final knockout ties at home.

It promises to be a thriller so stay with us for radio coverage on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle, plus live text commentary on all the action as it unfolds.