Simon Danielli will get his first run-out this season when Ulster A face their Cardiff counterparts at the Arms Park on Friday night.
The Scottish winger had to have surgery for a knee injury sustained during pre-season training in August.
Coach Gary Longwell has named a sprinkling of contracted players and Academy stars for the fixture.
The only two club players named are lock forwards Filo Paulo of Malone and Neil McCombe of Belfast Harlequins.
Ulster A squad: (forwards) J Carey, N Hanna, D Fitzpatrick, F Paulo, J Sandford, B Young, P Karayiannis, N McCombe, T Anderson, W Faloon, C Henry, S Philpott.
(backs) P Marshall, I Humphreys, S Danielli, I Whitten, P Steinmetz, C Cochrane, M McCrea, I Porter, N O'Connor, J Smith.
Ulster: B Cunningham;T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, M McCrea; I Humphreys, C Willis; B Young, N Hanna, BJ Botha, M McCullough, E O'Donoghe, T Anderson, D Pollock (capt), R Diack.
Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, D Fitzpatrick, K Dawson, I Boss, N O'Connor, P Steinmetz, C Henry, J Sandford, C Cochrane.
Portugal: L Kadosh; A Esteves, D Gama, F Mira, G Foro; P Cabral, J Pinto; G Duarte, J Correia (Capt), J Severino, V Jorge, G Silva, J Bardi, A Duarte, E Acosta.
Replacements: L Balague, B Duarte, J Junior, N Taful, D Fialho, A Sousa, F Oliveira, M Leal, Y Ricardo, V Gaspar.
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