Captain Coman returns for Ulster encounter

Coman, who starts on the blindside, said: "I'm really excited to be back. It's been a frustrating two weeks, not being able to play and I'm looking forward to the challenge of Ulster. They're a very well balanced team with good attacking options all over the park.

"The boys have trained really well this week, though, and are determined to build on last week and put in a really good performance out there on Friday night."

Elsewhere in the forwards, BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Level 3 prop Rory Sutherland makes a first start at loosehead while Grant Gilchrist and Roddy Grant move from the bench to start at lock and openside respectively. One change to the backs sees one of last week's try scorers against Scarlets, Phil Burleigh, move from the bench to start at stand-off.

Full back Greig Tonks is fully aware of the task in hand: "Ulster are always very strong at home and have a good record at Ravenhill. No doubt they'll be well fired up and will be looking to bounce back from last week's defeat to Zebre."

Edinburgh's last visit across the Irish Sea, the season opener against Munster, showed that the club are capable of beating an Irish province on their own turf, and though they beat Ulster at BT Murrayfield in 2013, they have not won in Belfast since September 2009.

Head coach Alan Solomons said: "Mike [Coman] returning as captain will be a boost to the team ahead of what will be a very challenging game against Ulster.

"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."

Friday's match at the Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill, Belfast will be broadcast live on BBC Alba (with alternative red button English commentary) and BBC NI. A highlights package will be available later in the weekend online at Sky Sports.

Edinburgh Rugby team v Ulster, Friday 3 October, Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill, kick-off 7.35pm

15 Greig Tonks
14 Jack Cuthbert
13 Sam Beard
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tim Visser
10 Phil Burleigh
9 Sean Kennedy

1 Rory Sutherland
2 Ross Ford
3 John Andress
4 Anton Bresler
5 Grant Gilchrist
6 Mike Coman (captain)
7 Roddy Grant
8 Cornell Du Preez

Substitutes
16 James Hilterbrand
17 Allan Dell
18 Willem Nell
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Tomas Leonardi
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Tom Heathcote
23 Nick McLennan