Ulster, who beat Bath 26-12 in Friday’s Cup opener, lost 16-13 to Edinburgh in the Magners League last month.

Having failed to reach the Heineken Cup’s knockout stage since winning the competition in 1999, McLaughlin knows they must win in Scotland’s capital to boost their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.

"We will go there with confidence but it is up to us to build on this performance," he said.

"It was a great night and I was pleased we did not let them cross at all."

He added: "That defeat was really disappointing because I felt we played well enough to win.

"However, against Bath it was great that we closed the game out.

"It was pleasing the way we kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half and did not let Bath get a bonus point.

"There were a few times in the first half when we got into good positions in their 22 and gave away soft penalties.

"But that is nit-picking because overall it was an outstanding performance."