Munster captain Tadhg Beirne will make his first appearance for the province since April after being named in the starting team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against Ulster in Belfast.

Beirne returns to the side for the Round 3 fixture at Affidea Stadium, which kicks off at 5.30pm and will be shown live on Premier Sports.

The lock missed the end of last season through injury before featuring for Ireland in the Nations Championship over the summer.

His return sees him become the 33rd player to line out for Munster across the opening three games of the campaign.

Head coach Clayton McMillan has made nine changes to the starting XV following last week’s victory over the Bulls at Thomond Park.

Ben O’Connor, Alex Nankivell, JJ Hanrahan, Jeremy Loughman, Kieran Brookes, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes are also brought into the starting team.

O’Connor, Shane Daly and Seán O’Brien form the back three, with Dan Kelly partnering Nankivell in midfield. Craig Casey and Hanrahan start together at half-back.

Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe and Brookes make up the front row, while Evan O’Connell partners Beirne in the second row.

O’Donoghue, Kendellen and Coombes complete a new-look back row.

Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Ben O’Donovan and Charlie O’Shea are named among the replacements.

McMillan welcomed Beirne’s return and praised the competition for places within the squad.

“It’s great to welcome Tadhg back into the team for the first time since April after his well-deserved break following the Summer Tests,” he said.

The head coach added that the players selected had earned their places through their contributions in the opening two games and their work during pre-season.

McMillan also highlighted Hanrahan’s performances against Glasgow and the Bulls, while praising young out-half Charlie O’Shea, who joined the squad less than two months ago and is named among the replacements again.

Munster will look to carry their early-season form into Saturday’s interprovincial clash as they travel north to face Ulster.