Ulster boss Brian McLaughlin believes Johann Muller and Darren Cave have returned at just the right time ahead of the trip to Benetton Treviso as they look to close in on a top-four finish.

Captain Muller and centre Cave have been out of action for the past two months but both return to the starting XV as two of six changes made by McLaughlin.

Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble miss the trip to Italy but Irish international Tom Court does return after his harrowing experience against England.

Ulster have only lost one of their last six games but they only have one win to their name on the road in the RaboDirect PRO12 since September.

But with Muller and co back for the business end of the season, McLaughlin is confident his side can summon one final push in the home stretch.

"Johann is a superb leader and it's always great to have him available,” said McLaughlin. “He is a great lineout forward and he will lift others around him with his presence.

"We felt that Darren deserved a chance to come back in and show what he can do because he was playing really well before the injury.

“We are very strong in the centres and Ian (Whitten) and Nevin (Spence) have done a tremendous job over the past couple of months so it was a tough decision.

"The players are feeling rejuvenated after a few weeks off. We are into the final phase of the season now and all the games are vital so it's important they feel fresh.

“We want to claim a playoff spot in the RaboDirect PRO12 and we also have Europe on the horizon so it's easy to get the players motivated.”
Looking to address a worrying run of form that has seen Treviso lose every match they have played in 2012, coach Franco Smith starts nearly all of his Italian internationals.

There is a new half-back pairing in Kris Burton and Edoardo Gori while the likes of centre Gonzalo Garcia and flanker Alessandro Barbieri also return.

Smith though can take heart from the sides’ last meeting at Ravenhill in which Treviso recorded their first ever victory over Ulster in their surprise 23-12 win.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 15th competition game) (via red button)
Assistant Referees: Carlo Damasco, Alan Falzone (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)
TMO: StefanoMarrama (FIR)

Live on RTE Sport, and BBC Sport NI (via red button)