Franco van der Merwe expects tough forward battle against Munster

Ulster forward Franco van der Merwe expects a tough forward battle when his side meet Irish interprovincial rivals Munster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

Ulster have won their last four fixtures, while Munster are on a run of five consecutive defeats.

Second row van der Merwe is hoping to be part of a winning Ulster team against Munster for the first time, having suffered two defeats and drawn once on the three occasions he has lined up against the Irish province.