Herring is entering his fourth season at Ulster and actually made his debut against Ospreys in September 2012.
And the 25-year-old says he can't wait to lead the side out over the coming weeks.
"It is a massive honour to captain Ulster," he said. "It's a privilege to lead the guys out for a game, especially at Kingspan Stadium. I know that the role is only temporary but I will enjoy the increased responsibility.
"There are lots of players in our team who have leadership qualities and that makes being captain easier. I am just massively focused on playing well for Ulster, leading by example and getting the season off to a successful start."
Herring could come up against Oliver Tomaszczyk on Friday night, and the new Ospreys prop says he is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the GUINNESS PRO12.
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy has moved to secure the signing of the former Newcastle Falcons tighthead with Dan Suter ruled out with a neck injury and Aaron Jarvis preparing for the World Cup with Wales' squad.
And 28-year-old Tomaszczyk insists he is ready and willing to play his part in the curtain-raiser against Ulster.
"This is a good opportunity to join a good club, with a good squad, and hopefully I will be able to do a job for the Ospreys," said Tomaszczyk.
"I spoke to Steve, and he explained that he needed cover for this period and what he wanted from the player coming in. Now that I'm here I want to play my part, to really help the Ospreys get a positive start to the new season.
"The PRO12 is a league which I haven't encountered before, but I've played against teams from the competition with Worcester and Newcastle and I'm looking forward to it. Going to Ireland, to Italy, it seems like a great league to play in and everyone I've spoken to are very complimentary."
Elsewhere, Tim Swinson is desperate to make the most of his Scotland call-up after believing he wouldn't make the cut for the World Cup due to an ankle injury.
However, the 28-year-old says he has sympathy for his Warriors teammates - such as Rob Harley, Mike Cusack, Adam Ashe, Hugh Blake and Rory Hughes - who didn't make Vern Cotter's squad.
"I certainly feel for them," Swinson told the Glasgow Evening Times. "Having gone through believing I wasn't going to make it because of my injury, I know it isn't nice.
"It is quite a tough time for those guys and hopefully I can support them as much as they have supported me so far.
"I spoke to Rob on Monday and he was hugely supportive. It takes a big man to say what he said. It was fantastic support from a good friend."
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