Munster scrum-half Conor Murray admits he is itching to make a first RaboDirect PRO12 appearance of the season against Ulster on Friday, but rejected the idea that revenge will be on the menu at Ravenhill.

Murray had to sit and watch Munster’s opening victories over Edinburgh and Treviso, but like fellow internationals Keith Earls and Ronan O’Gara, he is back in contention for the first all-Ireland clash of the season and will start on the bench.

Ulster have also started their season in impressive fashion, downing Glasgow Warriors before seeing off defending RaboDirect PRO12 champions Ospreys on their own patch last time out.

Ravenhill is something of a fortress for Ulster and they have lost just once in the last 12 months – to Leinster – although they have come unstuck in their last four RaboDirect PRO12 matches with Irish opponents.

In the Heineken Cup it has been a different story however as Munster sunk to defeat at Thomond Park in last year’s quarter-final to Ulster – but Murray insists that will not be on his mind on Friday.

“I am just itching to get back and be involved again,” Murray told the Irish Independent. “Hopefully I'll get off the bench this week and get a bit of a run out and get the cobwebs out.

“It has been a bit frustrating watching the lads the past few weeks, playing so well.

“It hasn't really been mentioned at all, but people obviously will remember that Ulster knocked us out. We played them a couple of weeks later after that.

“It is in people's mind but I don't think it will play that big a part.

“It is a new season, with a new coach [Rob Penney], a lot of new players – it is a new beginning. I don't think we can dwell on the past unless we end up meeting them in the quarter-final of Europe again.”

Munster boss Rob Penney makes just three changes to the side that defeated Treviso last time out as Dave Kilcoyne comes in to the front row at loosehead and BJ Botha returns at tighthead while Donncha O’Callaghan forms part of the second row.

Ulster’s Kiwi head coach Mark Anscombe makes seven changes to the XV that saw off the Ospreys with Stephen Ferris returning at flanker to make his 100th appearance for the province while Tom Court, John Afoa and Nigel Brady form an all-new front row.

Ireland wing Andrew Trimble gets the nod ahead of Craig Gilroy while Paddy Jackson starts at fly-half in place of Niall O’Connor and Paul Marshall is rewarded for his match-winning try in Wales with a starting berth at scrum-half.

Anscombe said: “It’s our first derby of the season and there's a lot of history between the two teams so it should be a great occasion.

“They will be the best team we've played against so far this year and their history shows what they're capable of doing.

“There's no prouder union in the competition than Munster and there's never going to be an easy game against them so we need to perform to our capabilities to come away with a win. I’m really hoping that we get a big home crowd out to support us and I really want us to get a victory.”

At Ravenhill, 7.05pm.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Live on BBCNI and RTE