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• READ MORE - Back-three trio sign new deals with Edinburgh

Hardie, who made his return to playing action after a three-month ban when he came on as a replacement in the win over Leinster last week.

The Scotland flanker is one of five changes to the starting XV, with his fellow Scotland caps Sam Hidalgo-Clyne starting at scrum-half, and number eight Cornell du Preez also handed a start after being released from international duty.

John Hardie returns to the Edinburgh starting XV. Picture: SNS Group

Elsewhere, Jordan Lay will start in the front row and wing Jason Harries is in line to make his first start in the competition since round four.

• READ MORE - Ulster skills coach praises Richard Cockerill’s impact at Edinburgh

Victory for Edinburgh would take them into third spot in Conference B but Ulster have been boosted by the earlier-than-expected return of Tommy Bowe.

Cockerill said: “I expect [Ulster] to be confident, but I’m also confident and I believe in our playing group.

“If we lose, it’s not the end of our play-off hopes. For us it’s nice, as a team, that we’re putting ourselves in a position where we’re actually competing for the play-offs - which is a step forward.”

• READ MORE - Edinburgh skipper’s rallying call ahead of summer overhaul

Edinburgh: Dougie Fife; Jason Harries, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Duhan Van Der Merwe; Jaco Van Der Walt, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Jordan Lay, Neil Cochrane, Murray McCallum; Fraser McKenzie (capt), Lewis Carmichael; Viliame Mata, John Hardie, Cornell du Preez.

Replacements: Cameron Fenton, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar-Mills, Marcus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Nathan Fowles, Duncan Weir, Glenn Bryce

John Hardie to make first start for Edinburgh in five months