Ulster must score the 5 maximum points against Cardiff (4 points for the win and 1 bonus point) to be in with a glimmer of hope of progressing to the next stage of the competition. After that, qualification is out of their hands.

McCall has made 5 changes of personnel and one positional change following last weekend’s win over Gloucester.

At full-back Paddy Wallace is favoured over Bryn Cunningham, who has played in every competitive match so far this season and who is named amongst the replacements, while Tyrone Howe’s injury sees flyer Andrew Maxwell given a start on the left wing.

In the front row, Simon Best is the positional change, moving from loose to tight-head prop, while Paul Shields and Ronan McCormack return to the XV ahead of Rory Best and Rod Moore who both start on the bench.

In the second row Rowan Frost in for Gary Longwell who is rested having reached his 50th European Cap landmark last weekend against Gloucester while in the back row, Campbell Feather makes way for Andy Ward.

Elsewhere among the replacements scrum-half Reece Spee is named ahead of Neil Doak.

ULSTER: 15 – Paddy Wallace; 14 – Tommy Bowe; 13 – Paul Steinmetz; 12 – Kevin Maggs; 11 – Tyrone Howe; 10 – David Humphreys; 9 – Kieran Campbell; 1 – Ronan McCormack; 2 – Paul Shields; 3 – Simon Best; 4 – Rowan Frost; 5 – Matt McCullough; 6 – Andy Ward; 7 – Neil Best; 8 –Roger Wilson
Replacements: 16 – Rory Best; 17 – Rod Moore; 18 – Matt Mustchin; 19 – Campbell Feather; 20 – Reece Spee; 21 – Adam Larkin; 22 – Bryn Cunningham.