Dave Shanahan in action for Ballymena. Brian Little Brian Little

DAVE SHANAHAN WILL make his first start for Ulster when the northern province take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday in Pool 5 of the European Champions Cup [KO 5.30pm, BT Sport 2].

Having played 10 times for Ulster as a substitute, the 23-year-old Dubliner is named at half-back alongside Paddy Jackson. It’s one of three personnel changes made by director of rugby Les Kiss from last weekend’s Guinness Pro12 defeat to Scarlets.

The other change in the backline sees All Black Charles Piutau return on the wing at the expense of Jacob Stockdale. Up front, Pete Browne comes into the second-row, with Iain Henderson switching to the back-row and Clive Ross dropping to the bench.

Ulster:

15. Louis Ludik
14. Charles Piutau
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Andrew Trimble (captain)
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Dave Shanahan

1. Callum Black
2. Rory Best
3. Ross Kane
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Pete Browne
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy

Replacements:

16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Jonny Simpson
19. France van der Merwe
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Brett Herron
23. Jacob Stockdale

Exeter Chiefs:

15. Phil Dollman
14. Jack Nowell
13. Michele Campagnaro
12. Ian Whitten
11. Olly Woodburn
10. Gareth Steenson (captain)
9. Dave Lewis

1. Ben Moon
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Greg Holmes
4. Mitch Lees
5. Jonny Hill
6. Tom Johnson
7. Don Armand
8. Thomas Waldrom

Replacements:

16. Jack Yeandle
17. Moray Low
18. Harry Williams
19. Dave Dennis
20. Kai Horstmann
21. Stuart Townsend
22. Joe Simmonds
23. Ollie Devoto

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