Paddy Jackson in Ulster squad for visit of Edinburgh

As Ireland U20s have no game this weekend Brian McLaughlin has decided to include outhalf Paddy Jackson in the 33-man panel ahead of Ulster's RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Edinburgh this Friday night at Ravenhill (kick off 7.05pm).

Simon Danielli has been ruled out of the fixture after picking up a hamstring injury in Friday’s 15-14 win over Ospreys. The Scottish international entered the fray as a substitute but limped off after just 10 minutes.

Chris Henry has been training with the senior Ireland squad in Dublin this week but may be available for Ulster on Friday. Paddy Wallace has been installed as captain against Edinburgh to ensure minimal disruption to the match preparations.

Edinburgh’s RaboDirect PRO12 form is in stark contrast to European success. The Heineken Cup quarter finalists occupy 11th spot in the table after picking up just 4 wins in 16 outings.

The Scots have suffered five straight defeats in the PRO12 since their 23-all draw at home to Glasgow on St Stephen's Day, whilst if they fail to win this game they will equal their record for the longest winless run – set in 2010.

Ulster have won four of their last five fixtures with Edinburgh, whilst the Scotsmen have not been victorious at Ravenhill since September 2009. The Ulstermen have lost just one of their last 18 encounters at Ravenhill in all competitions since December 2010: 12-23 to Treviso on 7 October.

Friday’s win over Ospreys moved Ulster up to fifth in the table, just two points off the top four playoff spots.

Provisional Ulster Squad to play Edinburgh

Forwards:

Callum Black, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Jerry Cronin, Paddy McAllister, Niall Annett, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Lewis Stevenson, Iain Henderson, Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry

Backs:

Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, James McKinney, Paddy Wallace (capt), Luke Marshall, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Chris Cochrane, Adam D’Arcy

Unavailable due to injury:

Declan Fitzpatrick, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Johann Muller, Ali Birch, Simon Danielli