Ulster v Edinburgh: Teams

Paddy Wallace: Ulster captain will be joined by Ian Whitten in midfield

Ulster have had to make numerous changes ahead of their clash with Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday.

Brian McLaughlin has been forced to reform his backline as Nevin Spence is ruled out of the RaboDirect PRO12 match with a hand injury.

Captain Paddy Wallace will be joined in midfield by Ian Whitten, while Stefan Terblanche moves to the wing and Adam D'Arcy returns to full-back.

Paul Marshall and Ruan Pienaar will remain at half-back while Craig Gilroy is in on the wing.

Pedrie Wannenburg moves into the side of the scrum as a result of Chris Henry's international absence, with Robbie Diack getting a run out at number eight.

With Simon Danielli also ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury, young backs Luke Marshall and Chris Cochrane are named among the replacements.

With various changes made to last week's Ulster team, the front five does however remain unchanged from the side that secured a 15-14 win over Ospreys last week.

Hopeful

McLaughlin is hopeful in his side reaching the play-offs, saying, "We were in the top four briefly last week and that's where we want to be.

"We need to be at our best but if we get the win it will give us something more to build on as were target the PRO12 semis. But Edinburgh are a very good team and they are ranked above us in Europe.

"They've proved how good they are by qualifying for the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup and they like to play a good style of rugby under Michael Bradley. We played very well against them at the turn of the year and we will have to produce something similar at Ravenhill.

"For us, the 20 minute period after half time will be crucial. That's when we have to step it up and keep improving through to the end of the match."

The Ulster side has an impressive home record having lost only once in their last 18 matches, and McLaughlin is delighted his team are playing at Ravenhill on consecutive weekends.

He said: "The players get a huge lift from playing in front of their home crowd and there is no doubt it has a positive effect on results. As always, we are determined to produce a performance for the fans and hopefully get the result."

Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley has meanwhile made only four changes to his starting XV.

Sep Visser, Phil Godman and John Houston come in for Chris Paterson, Gregor Hunter and the injured Jim Thompson (ankle), taking up the wing, fly-half and centre spots respectively.

Argentine cap Ulises Gamboa is set to make his first start for the club, taking the place of Jack Gilding, who moves to the bench.

Ulster: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Paddy Wallace (capt), 11 Stefan Terblanche, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Pedrie Wannenburg, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andi Kyriacou, 1 Paddy McAllister.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Callum Black, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Luke Marshall, 23 Chris Cochrane.

Edinburgh: 15 Tom Brown, 14 Sep Visser ,13 Matt Scott, 12 John Houston, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Leck, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Roddy Grant (capt), 6 Stuart McInally, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Ulises Gamboa, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Alun Walker, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Jack Gilding, 19 Robert McAlpine, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Alex Black, 22 Harry Leonard, 23 Chris Paterson.