Ireland A international Darren Cave returns to action for Ulster against Edinburgh © Getty Images

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Matches: Ulster 13 - 9 Edinburgh

Tournaments/Tours: Magners League | Magners League

Teams: Edinburgh | Ulster

Ulster boss Matt Williams has made no fewer than eight changes to the side that was thrashed by the Ospreys for the visit of Edinburgh to Ravenhill.

Darren Cave and Cillian Willis are given the nod ahead of Rob Dewey and Paul Marshall who have both been dropped from the squad. Tom Court, Ed O'Donoghue, Stephen Ferris and Paul Steinmetz are all promoted from the bench, while Ulster Captain Rory Best and strong back row David Pollock both return from injury for this crucial clash.

Williams said, "The changes I have made are all based on performance, apart from Kieron Dawson. Kieron was exceptional last week and has been our best player lately, he is on the bench only because we are giving him a rest from the starting line up this week.

"It's great to have Paul Steinmetz back to full fitness, he had an operation during the summer and we are so pleased to finally get him back on the pitch. I thought Paul played well against the Ospreys and provided quality leadership on the pitch.

"Darren Cave is back in the team, he is very strong defensively. We tried a different centre partnership against the Ospreys and it didn't work, so we are going to see if Cave and Steinmetz will work tomorrow night."

Williams knows what to expect against Edinburgh and has been keeping a close eye on them recently, saying, "Edinburgh are a very good side, Andy Robinson is a world class coach and their defence has improved enormously under his direction. They had a great win over the Scarlets a few weeks ago and played some high quality rugby against the Dragons at the weekend. They know our form has been poor of late, and will be coming over here looking for a win."

It's no secret that Ulster have not had the best start to their Magners League campaign, but following on from some stern words with his squad on Monday, Williams is realistic about his side's performance, "The team are all really looking forward to the game tomorrow night; we want to make amends for what happened in Swansea. We all know our performance was below standard and are looking forward to putting things right.

"The team really need their supporters over the next few months. They are going through a hard time and need the Ulster supporters to get behind them and will them to a win. I would love to see that Ulster spirit in the support throughout the province."

Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson hands a first start to Jim Thompson, grandson of celebrated rugby commentator Bill McLaren, following an injury to talismanic full-back Chris Paterson.

Thompson said, "I'm really looking forward to it. It is a shame that Mossy (Paterson) is out injured and I feel for him.

"But it has created an opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to starting for Edinburgh and playing as well as I can.

After making his Magners League bow as a replacement at Leinster last season, the 23-year-old had to wait 12 months before sampling his next taste of professional rugby.

But National Academy graduate Thompson says he believes he has matured into a better player over the past year; largely thanks to his time on the IRB World Sevens circuit and playing with his club team, Heriot's

He said, "I learned a lot in between my first game for Edinburgh and my second game, largely thanks to the education I've received in the Scottish Rugby set-up.

"I have developed physically over the 12 months and I've been away with Scotland Sevens which has also helped my game.

"Coming on as a replacement over the past two games has really given me an insight as to where you need to be in order to play Magners League rugby and I feel like I'm a lot better equipped to do that now.

Former Heriot's team-mate John Houston joins Thompson in the back-three after successfully recovering from a long-term pelvic injury.

David Blair makes his first start of the campaign in a half-back combination with elder brother Mike who was rested for the match at Rodney Parade.

Andrew Kelly - nearing his 100th appearance for Edinburgh - is handed the number two shirt with regular first choice hooker Ross Ford named amongst the replacements.

In the second row, Ben Gissing returns to the starting line-up at the expense of Craig Hamilton, and National Academy flanker Chris Fusaro could make his debut for the club.

Ulster: B Cunningham; C Schifcofske, D Cave, P Steinmetz, A Trimble; N O'Connor, C Willis; T Court, R Best (c), BJ Botha, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, S Ferris, D Pollock, R Diack

Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, C Del Fava, K Dawson/M McCullough, I Boss, I Humphreys, T Nagusa

Edinburgh Rugby: Jim Thompson, John Houston, Hugo Southwell, Nick De Luca, Mark Robertson, David Blair, Mike Blair (c), Allan Jacobsen, Andrew Kelly, Gavin Kerr, Jim Hamilton, Ben Gissing, Matt Mustchin, Allister Hogg, Scott Newlands

Replacements: Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Chris Fusaro, Greig Laidlaw, Phil Godman, Calum MacRae.