Venue: The Sportsground, Galway Date: Saturday, 28 December Kick-off: 19:35 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds & Radio Ulster; live text updates, reaction and highlights on BBC Sport website & app

Ulster back row Nick Timoney says he will never take his place in the squad for granted after years of watching players come and go at Kingspan Stadium.

Having won 155 caps since his debut in 2017, Timoney is one of the most experienced players in an increasingly youthful Ulster squad.

However, when he was breaking through, the Dubliner admitted to being struck by how the departure of seasoned campaigners alters the team dynamic.

“My first couple of years at Ulster, I remember there were loads of lads who left, the Tommys [Bowe], the Trimbys [Andrew Trimble], Roger Wilsons and Ruan Pienaars all left,” recalled Timoney when asked about his close friend Greg Jones leaving the club earlier this year.

“I remember thinking it’s quite a striking element because the whole team dynamic seems to change.

“I swore to myself that I’d never take it for granted, that people always come and go. You obviously get very close with people and you don’t want to forget that. But when it’s you that’s been around longer and it’s some of your friends that are going, it feels a little bit different.

“It’s the nature of it but it’s tough, it’s sad. Every year, there’s reasoning and logic behind it, the progression, that’s just the way it is and it’ll be me one day as well, I’m sure.”

While several players have committed their long-term future to Ulster in recent months, Timoney – who is out of contract in the summer – is yet to pen a fresh deal.

“I’d say there’s a good chance, I don’t know,” he said when asked if he will be at Ulster next season.

“I think everyone just wants to get things going in the right direction and see. I’m loving my time at Ulster. As much as there are disappointments and we’re struggling at the moment, I have full faith we can get it going in the right direction again.”

Timoney has made three appearances for Ulster since returning from a frustrating autumn campaign with Ireland. While fellow Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu was handed his debut by head coach Andy Farrell, Timoney was denied a first cap in two years.

“Pretty difficult, to be fair,” Timoney said when asked about his conversation with Farrell.

“I go into a campaign with Ireland thinking this is going to be the one that everything changes and I’ll get another chance and get myself into that team properly.

“I’ve done that in the last few [camps] but unfortunately it hasn’t quite been coming for the last while. I haven’t played in a couple of years. He told me to keep the faith and keep doing what I’m doing and keep pushing to get better.”

Rather than sulking, Timoney says he will use his recent lack of game-time with Ireland as fuel in his quest to become a regular fixture at Test level.

“I certainly know I’m not the perfect player or finished product so you have to be real with yourself and your ego there,” he admitted.

“You’re obviously upset but nobody owes the chance to play for Ireland.

“It’s not anyone else’s problem, it’s my problem. I have to get better and go harder every week and get to the point where they can’t ignore me. That’s probably on me if they feel they’re not obligated to pick me. It’s on me to play better and I’ve certainly been trying.”