Moffat makes three changes for Ravenhill test

British and Irish Lions hooker Ford replaces Andrew Kelly in the front row and will line up alongside Scotland 'A' internationalist Traynor, who takes over the starting loosehead spot from Allan Jacobsen.

Meanwhile, Visser, who scored a try on his Magners League debut at Cardiff, replaces Andrew Turnbull in the number 11 jersey and scrum half Greig Laidlaw keeps his starting berth ahead of first team captain, Mike Blair.

After winning their opening two matches - and scoring 11 tries in the process - Edinburgh travel across to Belfast in an upbeat mood.

The last time the team won at Ravenhill was 30 November 2007 - St Andrew's Day - and one of the try scorers from that triumph, Ben Cairns, believes the feat can be replicated on Friday.

Cairns said: "Nobody is getting carried away after just two games, but we are pleased with the progress we have made so far this season.

"Playing away at Ulster is one of the most difficult tests in the Magners League and we realise that we will have to be at the top of our game in order to achieve another positive result.

"When we won there in 2007 it was a really important result for the team in terms of our development in terms of learning how to win away from home.

"We will be looking to carry on the momentum we have generated over the first two matches at Ulster."

Allister Hogg will continue to captain the side again and will operate in the back row alongside Alan MacDonald (blindside) and Roddy Grant (openside) meanwhile, on the bench, lock Steve Turnbull returns to the squad.

Club captain Simon Cross is still ruled out with a knee injury and joins long term absentees, Ross Rennie (knee) and David Callam (hip) in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, both full-back Jim Thompson and Scotland lock Jim Hamilton (both knee) are edging ever closer to returning to first team availability.

Edinburgh Rugby Club team to play Ulster at Ravenhill (Friday 18 September, kick-off 8pm)

15 Chris Paterson
14 Mark Robertson
13 Ben Cairns
12 John Houston
11 Tim Visser
10 Phil Godman
9 Greig Laidlaw

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Scott MacLeod
6 Alan MacDonald
7 Roddy Grant
8 Allister Hogg (captain)

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Allan Jacobsen, Steve Turnbull, Scott Newlands, Mike Blair, Steve Jones, Nick De Luca.