But this time Solomons will be the enemy on his first return to Ravenhill as Edinburgh looked to record three-straight RaboDirect PRO12 wins having seen off Italian duo Treviso and Zebre at Murrayfield in their last two games.

However history is against the Gunners as they have won on the road just once since last December and have also only left Irish soil with a victory once since 2009.

In order to change all that Solomons has made two changes with lock Ollie Atkins handed his first start in the place of Grant Gilchrist - the latter starting for Scotland in Saturday's autumn Test against Australia - while scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne comes in for the injured Sean Kennedy.

Grayson Hart and lock Ben Toolis could make their debuts from the bench, while Tom Brown returns to the squad for the first time since injuring his ankle in the pre-season clash with Newcastle Falcons in August.

Solomons said: "I'm certainly looking forward to going back to Ravenhill. I've got very fond memories of Ulster and haven't been there for a number of years, so I'm really looking forward to it.

"Away fixtures in the RaboDirect PRO12 are always tough and Ulster are a side that have been built over ten or 12 years to become one of the top sides in Europe.

"They were in the PRO12 final last year, the Heineken Cup final the year before that and have ambitions to win these competitions.

"We are a side that is rebuilding and are at a different place at this point.

"For me, this is going to be a really tough fixture but presents these players with an opportunity to build on their performance against Zebre in a tougher fixture, against a highly-ranked side at a very tough venue."

Ulster had won six straight in all competitions before they visited Scarlets last time out in the RaboDirect PRO12 last time out.

And as they bid to get back to winning ways in the league Mark Anscombe is able to welcome back Ireland internationals Craig Gilroy and Iain Henderson, who have both recovered from injury in time to face Edinburgh.

Gilroy starts at full-back, alongside Andrew Trimble and Michael Allen in the back three, while Henderson takes his place in the second row with Lewis Stevenson.

Luke Marshall and Darren Cave have both been released by Ireland and start in midfield with James McKinney and Paul Marshall selected in the half-backs, while Callum Black, Rob Herring and John Afoa are named in an unchanged front row,

Robbie Diack captains Ulster for the first time and is selected at blindside flanker. Sean Doyle, who was man of the match for the Ravens last week, is picked at openside and Nick Williams starts at Number 8.

Ireland internationals, Tom Court, Dan Tuohy and Roger Wilson are named on a strong bench which also includes Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Ian Porter, Peter Nelson and Ricky Andrew.

Commenting on captaining Ulster for the first time, Diack said: "It was a bit of a shock when Mark called out the team and I was captain, but it is a tremendous honour.

"I am hugely excited to be leading out such a talented bunch of guys and hopefully we can get the win."

At Ravenhill Stadium, 7.05pm.
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 16th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Kevin Beggs (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John West (IRFU)
TMO: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

LIVE on BBC NI and BBC ALBA