Henderson And McCloskey To Start For Ulster

Iain Henderson, who signed a new three-year contract with Ulster Rugby yesterday, starts in the second row and is one of two changes to the side that beat Benetton Treviso 43-3 at Kingspan Stadium last weekend.

The other sees Stuart McCloskey come back into the starting line-up. The 22 year-old scored a try on his return from injury against Treviso and is named at inside centre for the round 15 game.

The rest of the team is unchanged with Callum Black, Rob Herring and Wiehahn Herbst forming the front row, Franco van der Merwe partnering Henderson in the second row, and captain Roger Wilson, Nick Williams and Mike McComish combine in the back row.

Ruan Pienaar starts at scrum half, Ian Humphreys wins his 99th cap for Ulster at out-half and Darren Cave will line out in midfield alongside McCloskey (pictured above). Louis Ludik continues at full-back alongside Michael Allen and Ulster centurion Craig Gilroy in the back-three.

Forwards John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson and Clive Ross are named on the replacements bench, as are backs Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall and Peter Nelson.

Robbie Diack misses the BBC 2 Northern Ireland-televised match having picked up a back injury in training.

Meanwhile, there are fewer than 500 tickets remaining for Ulster’s PRO12 match against the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium next Friday night. To purchase a ticket for the game, click here. Tickets are also on sale for the province’s upcoming clashes with Cardiff Blues and Leinster.

ULSTER (v Edinburgh): Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Allen; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Iain Henderson, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson (capt), Mike McComish, Nick Williams.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall, Peter Nelson.