Andy Ward is set to make his first start in the Heineken Cup this season when he leads Ulster against the French champions Biarritz at Ravenhill on Friday night (kick-off 7.00pm).
The Irish international back row man underwent surgery on an ankle injury after the Celtic League defeat at Swansea earlier in the season. He came on as a replacement in last weekend's Celtic League quarter-final victory in Glasgow, scoring a vital second half try, and takes over at No 8 in the starting line-up for the vital Pool 6 clash.
Biarritz have won their two games to date, away at Cardiff and home to Northampton Saints, while Ulster started with a defeat at Northampton before beating Cardiff at home.
Irish lock Gary Longwell is also fit to resume in the second row alongside Jeremy Davidson after overcoming a shoulder injury sustained while playing against Argentina in last month's Autumn international.
The only other change from the side that booked a Celtic League semi-final slot against Munster last weekend is at centre where Ryan Constable takes over from the injured Shane Stewart.
Ulster: B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, J Bell, S Young; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, R Kempson, G Longwell, J Davidson, W Brosnihan, N McMillan, A Ward (Captain)
Replacements: S Best, P Shields, M Blair, T McWhirter, K Campbell, A Larkin, S Coulter.
