Mike Coman is hellbent on making up for lost time by inspiring Edinburgh to another shock triumph on the Emerald Isle.
The powerful breakaway forward has shaken off his injury worries to lead the Gunners into battle with Ulster in Belfast.
And Coman has set his sights on helping his side step up their revival – and rediscover the form that earn a Pro12 opening day victory over Munster in Limerick.
He declared: “I am hugely excited to be back.
“The past couple of weeks on the sidelines have been really frustrating – and I am looking forward to fronting up to the challenge of Ulster.
“They are a well-balanced team with good attacking options all over the park, but our guys have been training really well and they are determined to carry on where they left off in last weekend’s draw with Scarlets.”
Coach Alan Solomons said: “Mike returning as captain will be a boost to the team ahead of what will be a very tough task.
“Due to player management, Al Dickinson is not available which gives a starting opportunity to young Rory Sutherland, with Allan Dell coming on to the bench.
“And Phil Burleigh is given the chance to show what he can do in the key position of stand-off.
“We’re facing a full-strength Ulster team who will be smarting after their loss to Zebre last weekend and will be going all out to redress that.”
Rory Sutherland makes a first start at loosehead while Grant Gilchrist and Roddy Grant move from the bench to start at lock and openside respectively.
Jared Payne has also recovered from injury and will start at outside centre for Ulster – one of 10 changes in the wake of the surprise loss to Zebre in Italy.
Louis Ludik, Andrew Trimble, Payne and Paul Marshall all come into the backline, with Tommy Bowe switching from the right wing to the left.
Up front, loosehead Ruaidhri Murphy starts his first competitive match for Ulster, as does rookie lock Alan O’Connor.
Captain Rory Best returns at hooker, with Wiehahn Herbst returning at tighthead.
In the back row, Robbie Diack is back at blindside, Chris Henry comes in at openside and Roger Wilson switches to No8.
Edinburgh: G Tonks; J Cuthbert, S Beard, A Strauss, T Visser; P Burleigh, S Kennedy; R Sutherland, R Ford, J Andress, A Bresler, G Gilchrist, M Coman (capt),R Grant, C Du Preez.
Subs: J Hilterbrand, A Dell, W Nel, O Atkins, T Leonardi, S Hidalgo-Clyne, T Heathcote, N McLennan.