Munster back-row Paddy Butler says revenge will be on the agenda in Friday night’s interprovincial clash with Ulster at Thomond Park.

Ulster won both meetings with Munster last year and have lost only one of their last four encounters.

But there is added spice to this weekend’s occasion, with Ulster second in the GUINNESS PRO12 table and Munster two points behind in third place, chasing a seventh consecutive win.

And Butler hopes his side can right the wrongs of last year.

“Ulster beat us twice last year, so we want to get our own back,” he said.

“We let them win at home, which we can never do, so we have to try and make up for that on Friday.

“Across the board they’re a very good team. From No1 to 15 everyone needs to be on top of their game, because there will be battles all over the pitch.

“You always want to be top, but the main goal is getting the win and whatever happens after that happens.

“Things are coming together very well now. Everyone is comfortable with what we are trying to do here and we’re just looking forward to the games ahead now.

"We’ve got some huge games coming up, so we want to keep ticking over and keep the run going.”

Munster coach Anthony Foley has made five changes from the side that beat Newport Gwent Dragons last weekend.

Centre Pat Howard makes his first start, while BJ Botha comes into the front row. Donncha O’Callaghan is named as captain with Billy Holland alongside him in the second row.

A reshuffle in the back row sees Robin Copeland move to No.6 with Butler switching to openside and CJ Stander coming in at No.8.

Duncan Williams returns at scrum-half, with Gerhard van den Heever on the wing. Returning internationals Dave Kilcoyne, Tommy O’Donnell and Felix Jones are among the replacements.

Ulster welcome back hooker Rory Best as one of four changes, with Ian Humphreys playing at No.10 in place of the injured Paddy Jackson. Alan O’Connor comes into the second row, while Nick Williams is named at No.8 moving Roger Wilson to blindside flanker.

Ireland’s Robbie Diack is named among the replacements, alongside Michael Allen, who has recovered from a shoulder injury.

And Wilson knows Ulster will have to be at the top of their game if they are to continue their good recent record over Munster.

“If you're not 100 per cent then you’ll get shown up quite badly,” Wilson told the Belfast Telegraph.

“They definitely seem to have gone back to the old traditional Munster way of things. They have a tough pack and they’ll look to soften you up before going wide.

“In fairness to them, they’re doing it really well and they’re probably one of the best teams at the moment at keeping the ball.

“They lost a couple of games there this season and obviously we beat them there last season with a pretty depleted squad, so it’s not as if it’s something that we haven’t done before.”

At Thomond Park, 7.35pm. Live on TG4/BBC NI
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 21st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Paul Haycock (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)