It’s the game Ulster fans have been waiting for since his arrival in the summer, but Marcell Coetzee will finally make his debut against Edinburgh Rugby under Friday Night Lights.

The Ulstermen will be hoping the South African can soon turn their fortunes around following a spell of modest form, with hopes of getting their season back on track on home soil.

But, barring defeat last Friday, Edinburgh are enjoying a fine start to the year, and won’t hand opportunities at leisure to their hosts.

What’s at stake?

Ulster Rugby are looking to reverse a poor trend of results which has seen them pick up just one win across all competitions in their last six games, while visitors Edinburgh are looking to complete their first double over the province since the 2007/08 season.

Edinburgh themselves are looking for a quick return to winning ways, having narrowly missed out on victory against Munster last weekend – their first defeat since Boxing Day.

But Ulster have the upper hand when it comes to clashes between these two sides, having won the last three meetings, a run they will be looking to continue into 2017.

Team news (Ulster)

Friday’s game will mark the long-awaited debut of Coetzee, who will start at No. 8 for his new side.

It will also see the comeback of Peter Nelson for his first appearance in 15 months, while Stuart Olding also returns from injury and will start at fly-half.

John Andrew will make only his third senior start after being selected at hooker, while Sean Reidy is in line to make his 50^th appearance for the province after being named among the replacements.

Team news (Edinburgh)

Acting head coach Duncan Hodge has made just one change to his starting XV for their visit to Belfast.

Fijian back row Viliame Mata will make his first Guinness PRO12 start since Edinburgh’s 28-17 victory over the Ulstermen in November, in an otherwise unchanged team from last week’s narrow defeat to Munster.

Talking points:

All eyes will be on Coetzee as the Springbok makes his first appearance for the province, having been injured since his arrival at the Kingspan in the summer.

“It’s like a new signing,” said Kiss. “Marcell’s enthusiasm has been fantastic and his approach to training and preparation is first class.

“He is champing at the bit and he certainly has an infectiousness nature about him, he is enthusiastic and he is gunning to go.”

Key battle:

It’s the clash of the No. 8s as debutant Coetzee goes head-to-head with Edinburgh’s top try scorer Magnus Bradbury, but the young Scot faces a stiff challenge in the form of his opposite number.

Key stat:

Of the 28 meetings between the two sides, Ulster have been victorious on 18 occasions, with Edinburgh having won 10

Did you know?

Edinburgh beat Ulster 28-17 at BT Murrayfield in round eight of the Guinness PRO12 and have only once before achieved a season’s double over the Irish province, coming in 2007/08.

Ulster:

Top points scorer: 65 – Paddy Jackson

Top try scorer: 3 – Rob Lyttle, Jacob Stockdale, Charles Piutau

Edinburgh:

Top points scorer: 69 – Duncan Weir

Top try scorer: 4 – Magnus Bradbury

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 28, Ulster won 18, Edinburgh won 10.

At Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm Live on BBC Sport NI
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 145th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies (WRU) Dermot Thomas (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)