Preview: Ulster v Edinburgh

Ulster have made a host of changes to their side that will take on Edinburgh in a Magners League clash at Ravenhill on Friday.

Ulster have made a host of changes to their starting line-up that will take on Edinburgh in a Magners League clash at Ravenhill on Friday.

Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has chosen to make four alterations to the back-line that beat Aironi last weekend at the Stadio Zaffanella.

Jamie Smith replaces Adam D'Arcy at full-back, USA Eagle Paul Emerick and Andrew Trimble who returns from injury replace Tommy Seymour and David McIlwaine on the wings while Ian Whitten partners Darren Cave in the centre.

Up front, injury to Declan Fitzpatrick means there is a positional change as Tom Court switches to the loosehead berth and Bryan Young is drafted in while Andi Kyriacou is named at hooker, with Rory Best returning on the bench.

Captain Johann Muller will be partnered this week by Ryan Caldwell at lock while the only change to the back-row is the inclusion of Stephen Ferris (rested last weekend) with Pedrie Wannenburg moving to the bench.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat has made two changes from last week's game against Munster.

Craig Hamilton will pack down in the second-row in place of Esteban Lozada, who has resumed light training after receiving a blow to the head in last Friday's fixture. Roddy Grant returns to the back-row, and will captain the side.

Standing by to make his Edinburgh debut at Ravenhill on Friday is back-five forward Dave Denton, who has been named among the replacements.

“I'm delighted to be involved and will be doing everything I can to make the most of the opportunity if I do get on. I've loved every minute of life with Edinburgh since I joined up in the summer and have been working hard to repay the faith the coaches have shown in me,” said the Scotland U20 star, speaking to www.edinburghrugby.org.

Moffat has backed his side to reprise the level of performance that saw them emerge victorious from two of their last three Magners League visits to Belfast.

“We go to Ravenhill with a strong side and in the knowledge that we're more than capable of winning there,” he said.

“There's been a good edge to training this week and a real determination to give a more complete performance than we have in the first two matches.

“It's good to have Roddy back in harness, and also to be able to call on an experienced campaigner like Craig Hamilton in the second row.

“We're all delighted that Esteban is making good progress, but the pairing we have this week have played together on many occasions and complement each other well.

“We're looking forward to the game and can't wait for it to come.”

Form: Both encounters between Ulster and Edinburgh in the Magners League last season were won by the away side, whilst Edinburgh have won on two of their last three visits to Ravenhill in the League. Ulster have won their last four games in the Magners League and are bidding to start a season with three straight victories for the first time since they went on to become champions in 2005/06. Ulster failed to beat a Scottish side in the Magners League at Ravenhill last season. Edinburgh's run of six straight defeats is their worst ever sequence in Magners League history. The Scotsmen's only away win in almost exactly 12 months was 17-16 at the Scarlets in December.

The teams:

Ulster: 15 Jamie Smith, 14 Paul Emerick, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 Tom Court, 2 Andi Kyriacou, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Tim Barker, 20 Pedrie Wannenburg, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 David McIlwaine.

Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Alex Grove, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Roddy Grant (capt), 6 Scott Newlands, 5 Craig Hamilton, 4 Scott MacLeod, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jack Gilding, 19 Stuart McInally, 20 Dave Denton, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 David Blair, 23 John Houston.

Date: Friday, September 17
Kick-off: 20:05 BST
Venue: Ravenhill
Referee: Alan Falzone (Italy)
Assistant referees: David Keane (Ireland), John Carvill (Ireland)