David Pollock will Captain a senior Ulster side for the first time, the former Royal School Dungannon star has a great track record as Captain, having captained the Ireland Under-20 side to an unprecedented Grand Slam and Six Nations Championship double, as well as captaining both the Ireland Under-19 and Under-21 sides that participated in the respective IRB Rugby World Championships.

The front row welcomes Bryan Young back to start at loose-head prop, the Ballymena man has been injured since mid September and will play alongside BJ Botha and Neil Hanna in the front row. Neil Hanna is named at Hooker and will be keen to get some Ulster game time; the Ballynahinch club man hasn't featured in an Ulster squad since the pre season friendlies in August.

The back line is an exciting mix of youth and experience, with former Leicester Tigers fly half Ian Humphreys controlling the game in the number 10 jersey. Former Ulster Academy star Mark McCrea and current Academy member Ian Whitten both start, and the star of the Munster victory Timoci Nagusa returns to the right wing with Bryn Cunningham named at full back.

There are 10 replacements named for the fixture with Ulster Academy members Chris Cochrane and James Sandford included alongside Ulster crowd favourites Kieron Dawson and Justin Fitzpatrick.

Ulster Assistant Coach Steve Williams had this to say ahead of the fixture; "We won't be under estimating this side, they are an international side and showed plenty of fight against Connacht at the weekend. This is a good chance for us to try and build on the Munster victory and also give some of our younger players a chance to show us what they can do"

Ulster Team (V Portugal, Ravenhill, Thursday November 13th, 19.30)

1 Bryan Young
2 Neil Hanna
3 BJ Botha
4 Matt McCullough
5 Ed O'Donoghue
6 Thomas Anderson
7 David Pollock (Capt)
8 Robbie Diack
9 Cillian Willis
10 Ian Humphreys
11 Mark McCrea
12 Ian Whitten
13 Darren Cave
14 Timoci Nagusa
15 Bryn Cunningham

16 Nigel Brady
17 Justin Fitzpatrick
18 Declan Fitzpatrick
19 Kieron Dawson
20 Isaac Boss
21 Niall O'Connor
22 Paul Steinmetz
23 Chris Henry
24 James Sandford
25 Chris Cochrane

Ulster v Portugal Ticket Information
ATTENTION Ulster Rugby Season Ticket Holders; you can purchase discounted tickets; with BIG saving up until 4pm on match day (discounted tickets will not be available on the gate on match night). Discounted tickets can be purchase via the Ravenhill ticket office, Monday - Friday 9am-5pm or via the Ravenhill Ticket Line 028 9049 3222 Option 2.

General release tickets for the friendly match are available by clicking here the Ravenhill Ticket Office Monday-Friday or via the Ravenhill Ticket Line 028 9049 3222 Option 2.