Nothing at stake but pride for Ulster

Ulster v Edinburgh: It's a season that can't end quickly enough for reigning champions Ulster but they will be determined that it finishes on a positive footnote.

There's nothing at stake this evening but pride and that should be a pretty strong catalyst for improvement.

The Ravenhill faithful have been getting a little bit restless and it's been noted by the players. Coach Mark McCall is without Bryn Cunningham and Ryan Caldwell, both of whom are injured so Tommy Bowe moves to fullback where he played most of his rugby in his formative years and Tim Barker partners Justin Harrison in the secondrow.

Belfast Harlequins lock Lewis Stevenson is on the bench along with David Humphreys as Paddy Wallace retains the number 10 jersey.

Edinburgh coach Lynn Howells has made nine changes, two positional, from the team that lost to Munster last weekend, his hand forced by injury.

He admitted: "It has not been easy this week given that we have a full team on the injury list, which includes our backline from the start of the season, our captain and some key decision makers. It has made continuity and progression difficult over the last few months as Hugo Southwell, Simon Webster, Mike Blair and Craig Smith have been out for long periods."

Ulster's need seems greater simply because they are in front of their home supporters and that should be enough to see them squeeze home.

ULSTER: T Bowe; P McKenzie, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best; J Harrison, T Barker; S Ferris, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, N McMillan, K Campbell, D Humphreys, D Cave.

EDINBURGH: A Munro; L Lopez Fleming, B Cairns, R Dewey, A Turnbull; D Hodge, G Laidlaw; A Jacobsen, D Hall, A Dickinson; F Pringle, S Murray; S Taylor, R Rennie, A Hogg. Replacements: S Lawrie, G Cross, A Strokosch, A MacDonald, S Cross, J Senio, P Jorgensen.

Referee: N Owens (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Ulster - David Humphreys 148. Edinburgh - Chris Paterson 113.

Leading try scorers: Ulster - Andrew Trimble 7. Edinburgh - Simon Webster 4.

Verdict: Ulster to win.

Munster will play the US national team in a World Cup warm-up in Chicago on Sunday, August 26th. The US begin their World Cup action on September 8th against England in Lens.