Edinburgh’s Newcomer of the Year, Kyle Traynor recorded his first start for Scotland ‘A’ against Russia in Bucharest on Friday in sweltering conditions and revealed he had prepared for the challenge by training with several layers on.

In scorching heat, Scotland ‘A’, with 10 Edinburgh players in the match squad, ran in eight tries with Jim Thompson (two) and Ben Cairns both crossing the whitewash in a 49-7 win.

Traynor, who only became a professional 12 months ago, also fronted up in the pack with an assertive display and he admits he coped with the climate because he was used to grafting in the heat after working out in lots of clothes. Remember Kyle is on board for next season and you can join him by signing up for an 09/10 Season Ticket. Click here for more details and enjoy top-class rugby at a great value price.

Traynor said: “It was a really enjoyable experience, although it was quite tough in the heat. Before the tour we were told about the heat, so me and Alan MacDonald thought we would prepare by training with lots of layers on.

“It definitely seemed to help because we were used to feeling uncomfortably hot. I thought we played some good rugby against Russia and everyone is looking forward to the next match against Uruguay which could be a lot tougher.”

Scotland ‘A’: Jim Thompson (Edinburgh); Rob Dewey (Ulster), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Simon Webster (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (captain, Perpignan); Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors). Replacements: Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh), Stuart Corsar (Doncaster), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), David Blair (Edinburgh), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh).

Replacements: Eddie for Vernon 29, Grant for Brown 53, De Luca for Dewey 57. R. Lawson for Cusiter 61, Corsar for Traynor 61, D. Blair for Jackson 66, Kelly for S. Lawson 66, Brown for MacDonald 66.

Tries: Dewey, Thompson (2), Kellock, Cusiter, S. Lawson (2), Cairns