Les Kiss has named his Ulster side to take on Leinster at the RDS in their Guinness PRO12 clash at the weekend.
Andrew Trimble returns to the starting line-up after recovering from an ankle injury he sustained on international duty.
Tommy Bowe and Charles Piutau join Trimble in the back three with Stuart McCloskey and Darren Cave in the centre.
Ruan Pienaar starts at out-half with Paul Marshall at scrum-half.
Rob Herring captains the team from hooker with Andy Warwick and Rodney Ah You packing down either side of him.
Kieran Treadwell and van der Merwe are paired in the second row, with Sean Reidy joining Clive Ross and Roger Wilson in the back row.
Ulster head into the game on the back of a convincing 23-7 win over Connacht last time out.
Visit https://t.co/1KJxy2s4R7 for the squad announcement & match preview for tomorrow's @PRO12rugby game away to @leinsterrugby #SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/RMstQ9QphN
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 30, 2016
Ulster: C Piutau; A Trimble; D Cave; S McCloskey; T Bowe; R Pienaar; P Marshall; A Warwick; R Herring (captain), R Ah You; K Treadwell; F van der Merwe; C Ross; S Reidy; R Wilson.
Replacements: J Andrew; C Black; J Simpson; P Browne; C Henry; B Herron; L Ludik; J Stockdale.
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