| BLAIR RETURNS FOR VISIT OF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS |
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| Wednesday, 23 September 2009 | |
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Mike Blair will make his first start of the new Magners League season against European champions, Leinster, at Murrayfield on Saturday (26 September, kick off 6.30pm) and head coach Rob Moffat has backed his captain to make an impact. To buy tickets for THE biggest game of the season call 0131 346 5180. To watch Mike and Rob on Edinburgh Rugby TV click here. It promises to be a match to remember, so make sure you are in the West Stand to be part of it.
Moffat said: “Greig Laidlaw has played very well so far this season and we are pleased with him.
Head coach Rob Moffat, captain Mike Blair, Ross Ford, Allister Hogg and Chris Paterson speak exclusively to Edinburgh Rugby TV about the forthcoming visit of European champions, Leinster.
Moffat explained that the team’s early season success was a real squad effort and he anticipates every member of his 36-man playing staff making a significant contribution during the season. Moffat said: “We are looking to carefully manage the whole squad over the course of the season because there is a lot of rugby to be played in the Magners League, Heineken Cup and in international rugby as well. “You’ve got to look at the whole season. We cannot just rely on 25 players in order to achieve that. Last season I believe we used 36 players, so I’m sure we will use that amount again.” Just four months ago, Leinster last visited Murrayfield when they were crowned European champions and Moffat expects a lot of the Irish province’s stellar names to return for the clash. He said: “This week we face a completely different challenge against a team like Leinster and a lot of their big name players should be back this weekend. “Historically, we’ve played well against Leinster here at Murrayfield and both teams tend to want to play open, attacking rugby which will make it an exciting encounter for spectators. “Leinster have developed their game over the past two or three seasons and they are far more physical than they used to be. “It is a chance for us to keep moving on. It was a good win at Ulster last weekend, but, in many respects, it was not a good performance. “I think it should be a cracking game and we just want to keep winning and entertain our supporters in the process.” As a result of Blair’s promotion into the starting line-up, Greig Laidlaw is named amongst the replacements while Alan MacDonald, who missed Friday’s win at Ulster because of a virus, reclaims the blindside flanker spot. Chris Paterson continues at full-back and the Scotland internationalist will be aiming to continue his prolific spell with the kicking tee – he has now scored from all of his previous 14 attempts. After chalking up 47 points, Paterson is also the leading points scorer in the tournament – four points ahead of Glasgow’s Dan Parks. 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 back doing light training and closer to returning to first team availability while Scotland wing Simon Webster is still ruled out with an Achilles injury. Edinburgh Rugby Club team to play Leinster at Murrayfield (Saturday 26 September, kick-off 6.30pm) 15 Chris Paterson 14 Mark Robertson 13 Ben Cairns 12 Nick De Luca 11 Tim Visser 10 Phil Godman 9 Mike Blair (captain) 1 Kyle Traynor 2 Ross Ford 3 Geoff Cross 4 Craig Hamilton 5 Scott MacLeod 6 Alan MacDonald 7 Roddy Grant 8 Allister Hogg Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Allan Jacobsen, Ryan Grant/Davie Young, Steve Turnbull, Scott Newlands, Greig Laidlaw, John Houston. |
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