Ireland internationals, Craig Gilroy and Iain Henderson have recovered from injury and have been named in Mark Anscombe’s starting XV for the game against Edinburgh at Ravenhill tomorrow evening (kick off 19:05).
Gilroy starts at fullback alongside Andrew Trimble and Michael Allen in the back three.
Luke Marshall and Darren Cave have both been released by Ireland and start in midfield with James McKinney and Paul Marshall selected in the half-backs.
Callum Black, Rob Herring and John Afoa are named in an unchanged front row, with Lewis Stevenson and Henderson starting in the second row.
Robbie Diack captains Ulster for the first time and is selected at blindside flanker. Sean Doyle, who was man of the match for the Ravens last week, is picked at openside and Nick Williams starts at Number 8.
Ireland internationals, Tom Court, Dan Tuohy and Roger Wilson are named on a strong bench which also includes Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Ian Porter, Peter Nelson and Ricky Andrew.
Commenting on captaining Ulster for the first time, Robbie Diack said:
“It was a bit of a shock when Mark called out the team and I was captain, but it is a tremendous honour. I am hugely excited to be leading out such a talented bunch of guys and hopefully we can get the win.”
Ulster XV and replacements to face Edinburgh, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 22nd November (kick off 19:05); (15-9): C Gilroy, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen, J McKinney, P Marshall; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, L Stevenson, I Henderson, R Diack (Captain), S Doyle, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, R Lutton, D Tuohy, R Wilson, I Porter, P Nelson, R Andrew.
