Bowe to reach 150 cap mark for Ulster versus Zebre

Les Kiss has named a strong Ulster squad for the Guinness PRO12 trip to play Zebre on Sunday, which will see Tommy Bowe reach a special milestone for the Province (Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, kick-off 1.30pm Italian time / 12.30pm GMT).

Bowe, who made his Ulster debut against Connacht back in April 2004, will earn his 150th cap against the Italians after being named on the right wing.

Meanwhile, Jared Payne has recovered from a kidney injury he picked up while on international duty in November and is selected among the replacements. The Ireland back will be joined on the bench by Hughes Insurance Academy player David Busby, who could make his senior debut.

In all, Kiss has made nine changes to the starting team that recorded a 37-17 bonus point win over Glasgow at Kingspan Stadium last week.

Six of those changes come up front and will lead to an all-new front five. Rob Herring will captain the side from hooker and will make up the front row along with Andy Warwick and Wiehahn Herbst. Robbie Diack and Alan O'Connor are paired together as the starting locks for the first time.

Clive Ross is picked at blindside flanker and will be joined in the back row by Chris Henry and Marcell Coetzee, who has had a major impact in his first two outings for the Province.

In the backline, Ruan Pienaar and Pete Nelson will continue their half-back partnership, while Stuart Olding has recovered from an elbow injury and will link up with Luke Marshall in midfield.

Charles Piutau has also recovered from injury to take his place on the left wing, opposite Bowe, while Jacob Stockdale - a double try scorer against Glasgow - will line out at fullback.

Callum Black, John Andrew, Ricky Lutton, Kieran Treadwell and Sean Reidy are named among the replacements. Scrumhalf Paul Marshall will join Payne and Busby as backline cover in the match day squad.

Following the trip to Parma, Ulster will have back-to-back home games against Italian opposition. First up is a Friday night match against Treviso on 3rd March (7.35pm), with a return fixture against Zebre scheduled for Saturday 11th March (6.05pm).

Tickets for both of those games are available from ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.

Ulster team & replacements to play Zebre, Guinness PRO12 Round 16, Sunday 26th February, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 12.30pm GMT, Sky Sports:

(15-9): J Stockdale, T Bowe, L Marshall, S Olding, C Piutau, P Nelson, R Pienaar;

(1-8): A Warwick, R Herring (captain), W Herbst, R Diack, A O'Connor, C Ross, C Henry, M Coetzee;

Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, C Black, R Lutton, K Treadwell, S Reidy, P Marshall, J Payne, D Busby.