GRAND SLAM-WINNING Ireland captain Rory Best will return to Ulster colours for tomorrow night’s Pro14 clash away to Edinburgh (kick-off 19.35, BBC NI).
The 35-year-old has rested up since leading Ireland to victory in Twickenham on 17 March and he is one of seven changes to the side which lost 35 – 17 to Cardiff Blues a fortnight ago.
Alongside Best, Ireland U20 tighthead Tom O’Toole will make his senior provincial debut with Rodney Ah You providing cover on the bench.
The suspended Craig Gilroy is replaced by Louis Ludik on the right wing, while Darren Cave returns to the centre in place of Luke Marshall.
Iain Henderson moves from back row to lock to allowing Matt Rea and Jean Deysel return while Nick Timoney shifts to openside.
Edinburgh are the form team in the Pro14 and have pulled 13 points clear of Ulster in the race for playoff places from Conference B with matches fast running out.
Edinburgh
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Dougie Fife
13. Mark Bennett
12. Phil Burleigh
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Duncan Weir
9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
1. Jordan Lay
2. Stuart McInally (Capt)
3. Simon Berghan
4. Ben Toolis
5. Grant Gilchrist
6. Magnus Bradbury
7. Jamie Ritchie
8. Bill Mata
Replacements:
16. Neil Cochrane
17. Rory Sutherland
18. WP Nel
19. Lewis Carmichael
20. Cornell du Preez
21. Sean Kennedy
22. Jaco van der Walt
23. Chris Dean
Ulster
15. Charles Piutau
14. Louis Ludik
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny McPhillips
9. John Cooney
1. Andy Warwick
2. Rory Best (Capt)
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Matt Dalton
5. Iain Henderson
6. Matt Rea
7. Nick Timoney
8. Jean Deysel
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Tommy O’Hagan
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Sean Reidy
21. Dave Shanahan
22. Angus Curtis
23. Tommy Bowe
Playoff picture: What your province needs from the final rounds of the Pro14
