The 22-year-old Dutch wing, signed from Newcastle in May, did enough in warm-up matches against Harlequins and the Falcons to get the nod for head coach Rob Moffat's first league game in charge.

Moffat said: "He has done well. In the short time he has been here, he has trained hard, applied himself well and he is looking sharp.

"He is a big lad who is quick and I think he adds a different dimension to the back division."

Visser - the only professional rugby player from the Netherlands - said: "I'm delighted to have been given a chance to show what I can do so early on in the season.

"Hopefully, my family and my local rugby club back in Holland will be able to watch the game and I'm really looking forward to helping Edinburgh get off to a positive start."

After winning the EDF Energy Cup last season and reaching the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, Cardiff are one of the favourites to win the Magners League this season.

But Edinburgh have won their last two matches in the Welsh capital and Moffat said: "It will be a physical game. We have won on our two previous trips to Cardiff and we know what they are about.

"They are a strong, powerful outfit. We know that if we are going to win there again on Friday that we have to be on top of our game.

"We need to match Cardiff physically and if we can do that then we will be able to play our game."

Scotland full-back Chris Paterson has recovered from a hip injury, but wing Simon Webster misses out due to an Achilles problem.

Lock Jim Hamilton is still ruled out with a knee injury while scrum-half Mike Blair and hooker Ross Ford are rested following their duties with the British and Irish Lions.

Stand-off Phil Godman reclaims the number 10 jersey after shaking off a thigh problem, while replacement David Blair (shoulder) is also restored to fitness.

Scotland centre Nick De Luca has been named amongst the replacements after successfully recovering from an operation on his lower abdomen, which took place four weeks ago.

Moffat said: "He has done really well and all the medical staff deserve a pat on the back for getting him back so quickly.

"That has a lot to do with Nick's attitude and his willingness to get back. It is good to see him back in the squad."