Chris Henry always expected October to be a significant month for Ulster’s GUINNESS PRO12 challenge – and now only more so after suffering a shock loss to Zebre last time out. Ulster will be looking for a response at home to Edinburgh on Friday after Zebre delivered one of the stories of last weekend with a 13-6 victory at the Stadio XXV Aprile. The return of Jared Payne will go some way to lifting the gloom while Louis Ludik, Andrew Trimble and Paul Marshall all join the outside centre in fortifying the backline. Skipper Rory Best slots back in at hooker and packing down with the veteran will be loosehead Ruaidhri Murphy and lock Alan O’Connor, for their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey. Flanker Henry is also in the starting XV – with Ulster making ten changes in total – and he insists some big performances are brewing for the Irish province over the next four weeks. "Every player in the squad now knows how massive the next four weeks are,” said Henry. "I think every player wants to be involved in the home games and I think there's that edge to it. "There's been something cooking since Monday and I think it will continue for the rest of the week. Those who go out know that we now have to really front up. "Home games are crucial if you want to compete at anything." History seems to favour Ulster – Edinburgh have won just once in their last seven meetings and have to go as far back as 2009 for their last victory on Belfast soil. However, Alan Solomons’ men will be boosted by fit-again club captain Mike Coman while last weekend’s hero Phil Burleigh – who clinched the game-tying try against Scarlets – gets his chance to start at stand-off. Prop Rory Sutherland also makes his first Edinburgh start in Alasdair Dickinson’s absence and Solomons has warned Ulster could well be on the warpath after their setback in Italy. "Mike [Coman] returning as captain will be a boost to the team ahead of what will be a very challenging game against Ulster,” said Solomons. "Due to player management, Alasdair Dickinson is not available this week which gives a starting opportunity to young Rory Sutherland, with Allan Dell coming on to the bench. "Meanwhile Phil Burleigh is given the chance to show what he can do in the key position of stand-off. "We're facing a full-strength Ulster team who will be smarting after their loss to Zebre last weekend and will be going all out to redress the defeat." At Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm Live on BBC NI/BBC ALBA Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR, 7th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU) TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)
