Ireland winger Robert Baloucoune will don the number 14 jersey for Friday's round 1 clash at Affidea Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm), while Zac Ward, who was also part of the Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series squad, is on the bench.
After missing all of last season as he recovered from surgery on an ACL injury, James McNabney will make his competitive return, starting in the number 8 position.
Ulster and Edinburgh already met during pre-season, with Richie Murphy's side securing a 28-26 win at Hive Stadium thanks to tries from James McCormick, Aitzol Arenzana-King, Matthew Devine, and Eric O'Sullivan.
Tickets for the rematch in Belfast are on sale here, and supporters are advised to arrive early as the province are introducing a host of new matchday features, including a Fan Zone and Players' Walk.
Argentinian international Eduardo Bello is handed his debut at tighthead prop, linking up with McCormick and the newly-married O'Sullivan in the front row.
Head coach Murphy pairs together Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell, who is Irish-qualified through his Belfast-born father, in a new-look second row combination.
There is a first competitive appearance for former Leinster and Exeter Chiefs back rower Martin Moloney at openside flanker, alongside David McCann, at blindside, and the returning McNabney.
Jack Murphy and Conor McKee are the starting half-backs, while ex-Harlequin Jamie Benson, another Irish-qualified signing, partners Ben Carson at centre.
Stand-in captain Michael Lowry, Ulster's player-of-the-match against the Ospreys a fortnight ago, anchors a back-three that has plenty of pace and attacking firepower.
Along with Baloucoune, who scored 12 tries in 14 games for province and country last season, development back Arenzana-King brings bags of potential on the left wing.
The 24-year-old Arenzana-King had an impressive scoring return in pre-season, running in four tries across Ulster's two fixtures against Edinburgh and the Ospreys.
On a youthful bench, development hooker Henry Walker, prop Keynan Knox, and former Connacht scrum half Devine are standing by to make their competitive debuts in white.
Academy talents Tom McAllister and James McKillop are part of a five-three split among the replacements, with Harry Sheridan, Jake Flannery, and Ward also held in reserve.
Looking forward to the URC opener, which will be shown live on Premier Sports 2, Ulster boss Murphy said: "The nine new players we've brought in, the impact they've had coming into the building has been really good, really positive.
"Strengthened our tight five with four new signings in there. Marty (Moloney) coming into the back row has given us more competition.
"And then the likes of Aitzol (Arenzana-King) stepping up from the Academy, and Chay Mullins coming in, gives us cover from where Werner (Kok) sort of left.
"And obviously Matty Devine and Jamie Benson coming in, in and around half-back and inside back, it has all been very positive in relation to their contribution to the squad over pre-season."
He continued: "There is obviously a lot of chat around who Edinburgh are missing. They brought back a number of internationals last week in their friendly against Harlequins.
"I think they'll be a lot stronger than people are giving them credit for at the moment. New coaching team, you can see elements of their game that have changed from last year.
"I think everything is geared up for Friday night. We're excited. We're delighted to be at home. We're really pleased with the pre-season that we had. Would like to have had more players available this week, but it is what it is."
ULSTER (v Edinburgh): Michael Lowry (capt); Robert Baloucoune, Ben Carson, Jamie Benson, Aitzol Arenzana-King; Jack Murphy, Conor McKee; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Eduardo Bello, Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell, David McCann, Martin Moloney, James McNabney.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Keynan Knox, Harry Sheridan, James McKillop, Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery, Zac Ward.
