Published Friday, 11 November 2011
Injury doubts Tom Court, Stephen Ferris and captain Johann Muller have been declared fit, after picking up knocks in last week's 22-3 Pro 12 win over Connaught.
"To have the three guys available is a brilliant boost for us - you need your key players on the pitch," Brian McLaughlin said.
"We have some people in the squad who are understandably disappointed at missing out, but it shows the quality we have assembled.
"Continuity is very important and it gives us momentum going into what is a massive game for us."
New signing John Afoa will make his European debut, while Paul Marshall retains his position at scrumhalf in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.
McLaughlin has made two changes among the replacements, with Declan Fitzpatrick back from a spell on the sidelines in place of Adam Macklin, while Willie Faloon comes in for Robbie Diack.
Clermont are second in France's Top 14, a point behind Toulouse, despite having 12 players on international duty during the World Cup in New Zealand.
"Clermont are an exceptional side, they've proved that with their results in the Top 14. We are going to focus on us, cut out the errors and try to be a bit more clinical when opportunities arise," McLaughlin added.
Ulster are set to face ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ravenhill on Saturday - kick-off at 3.40pm.
Ulster: (15-9): S Danielli; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall; (1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.
Replacements: (16-23): A Kyriacou, P McAllister, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, W Faloon, I Porter, N Spence, A D'Arcy.