Three things to watch: The big guns are back, the first inter-pro of the season and Ferris hits the ton

Ahead of the third round of fixtures in the RaboDirect PRO12 season, here are three things to watch for this weekend.

By Declan Whooley

The big guns are back

The start of the RaboDirect PRO12 can often go unnoticed as the Irish internationals are given further time off to recover ahead of the new season. Academy players and new signings are given a chance to impress, but it is the return of the household names that gets supporters excited.

Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jamie Heaslip, Mike Ross, Stephen Ferris, Andrew Trimble and Brett Wilkinson all start for their respective sides for the first time this season this weekend. The player-welfare programme is a necessity given the rigours of international rugby and a busy playing schedule, but you can’t beat having all players available for selection for their respective provinces.

First inter-pro of the season

Maybe it’s because of the tradition, but the inter-pros are generally the fixtures that supporters look for first. The opening derby of the season takes place at Ravenhill tonight and barring a draw, it will see either Ulster or Munster lose their 100 per cent start to the season.

Rob Penney will get a better idea of where he is with his team as they face a particularly strong Ulster side that welcome back Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble as well as an entire new front row. The visitors will not be short of motivation after defeat to the hosts in the Heineken Cup last season as well as a comprehensive loss in the same fixture last December. It promises to be another intriguing clash and home advantage may be the telling factor for Ulster.

Stephen Ferris joins the 100 club

The 27 year-old will become an Ulster centurion when he takes to the field against Munster tonight. The Portadown native made his debut in the then Celtic League in 2005 and has gone on to represent his country 35 times.

One of the most important players on these shores, the physical strength he brings to the game has often been to his own detriment and he has suffered with his fair share of injuries. He missed the Lions tour in 2009 and will be hoping to cement his place on the tour to Australia next summer. If he reproduces this sort of stuff throughout this season, he's a dead cert to be on the plane.

For now Ulster fans will be delighted to see him in white again and we can expect a big performance in front of a home crowd. A special mention also for Devin Toner who will become just the 20th player to make 100 appearances for Leinster when he lines out against Treviso in Italy.