Stephen Ferris is picked at blindside, with Nick Williams named at Number 8 and Chris Henry, who is playing his first game for Ulster since winning the RBS 6 Nations with Ireland, selected at openside.
Jared Payne starts at fullback, with Tommy Bow e selected on the right wing and Andrew Trimble, also back for Ulster after Ireland's 6 Nations win, starting on the left.
Luke Marshall and Darren Cave maintain their partnership in midfield, with Paddy Jackson named at outhalf and Michael Heaney continuing at scrumhalf in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.
Ulster Head Coach, Mark Anscombe,has picked six forwards on the bench, with Niall Annett, Andrew Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack and Sean Doyle joined by backs Paul Marshall and Craig Gilroy.
Rory Best and Roger Wilson are rested for the game.
Ulster are unbeaten in 2014 having won eight matches in a row.
The game is live on BBC 2 Northern Ireland and S4C.
Ulster XV and replacements to face Cardiff Blues, RaboDirect PRO12, Arms Park, Friday (kick off 18:30) (15-9): J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble, P Jackson, M Heaney; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, A Warwick, R Lutton, I Henderson, R Diack, S Doyle, P Marshall, C Gilroy.
Guinness PRO12 Ulster News
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