Ulster v Edinburgh - RaboDirect PRO12 match preview

Sean Cox: Will lead Edinburgh at Ravenhill

Stephen Ferris: Returns to the Ulster starting line-up

Fit-again Stephen Ferris will return to Ulster's starting XV for Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 home clash with Edinburgh.

Ferris will take his place at blindside flanker with Mike McComish and Roger Wilson completing the back row.

Coach Mark Anscombe has made numerous other changes to his line-up with Nigel Brady (captain), Callum Black and John Afoa featuring in a new-look front row, while development prop Ricky Lutton will make his senior debut if he makes it on from the bench.

Another youngster, Ricky Andrew, will make his first start for the club after being selected at full-back, but the experienced half-back pairing of Paul Marshall and Ruan Pienaar remains in place from last week's thumping win over the Dragons.

With Greig Laidlaw unavailable, Edinburgh will be led by lock forward Sean Cox at Ravenhill on Friday.

The versatile Cox starts at blindside in a new-look back-row with Roddy Grant and McInally and Robert McAlpine is given the nod to replace him in the second row.

Scotland Test hopefuls Grant Gilchrist, Stuart McInally and Lee Jones all return to the starting line-up, while prop Allan Jacobsen continues his recovery from a hamstring injury by earning a place on the bench.

John Houston returns to the centres to partner James King, who starts his first match of the season, while fly-half Gregor Hunter replaces the injured Harry Leonard at ten.

Ulster: 15 Ricky Andrew, 14 Chris Cochrane, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Mike McComish, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Neil McComb, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Nigel Brady (capt), 1 Callum Black.

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Ricky Lutton, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Niall O'Connor, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Peter Nelson

Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Lee Jones, 13 John Houston, 12 James King, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Gregor Hunter, 9 Chris Leck, 8 Stuart McInally, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Sean Cox (capt), 5 Robert McAlpine, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 John Yapp.

Replacements: 16 Alun Walker, 17 Allan Jacobsen, 18 Lewis Niven, 19 Izak van der Westhuizen, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Dougie Fife, 23 Sep Visser

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