Andy Robinson has made four changes to Edinburgh’s starting line-up for the opening match of the David Lloyd 1872 Cup double-header against Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield, on Boxing Day (26 December, kick off 7.30pm) with Ross Ford, Gavin Kerr, Ross Rennie and John Houston all named in the side.
Hooker Ford has recovered from the rib sprain which ruled him out of the Heineken Cup match at London Wasps and reclaims the number two jersey.
Prop Kerr, who was won 50 caps for Scotland, will make only his second start of the campaign while Geoff Cross will face a late fitness test on an ankle knock to determine whether or not he will be named amongst the replacements.
Flanker Rennie is also added to the pack after missing the trip to Wasps to enable Edinburgh to field a pack containing seven capped internationalists.
John Houston replaces the injured Mark Robertson (calf) on the wing and last season’s Newcomer of the Year is set to record his second start of the season.
Apart from the inclusion of Houston, the back-line remains intact and features six players who represented Scotland during the Autumn Tests; including captain Mike Blair, who says he is excited about playing in front of a record Edinburgh home crowd.
Blair said: “Everyone is excited about the prospect of playing in front of a record crowd for an Edinburgh game.
“Derbies always create a special atmosphere and this match should prove to be a memorable event; the perfect way to finish 2008.
“Obviously last season we didn’t manage to win the 1872 Cup, so we will be determined to bring the trophy back to Edinburgh this time around.”
Full-back Chris Paterson is still sidelined with a rib injury and he is joined in the treatment room by Robertson, Marc Teague (head knock) and long term casualty David Callam (hip).
Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League and first leg of the David Lloyd 1872 Cup at Murrayfield (Friday 26 December, kick off 7.30pm)
15 Hugo Southwell
14 John Houston
13 Ben Cairns
12 Nick De Luca
11 Simon Webster
10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair (captain)
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Gavin Kerr
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Jim Hamilton
6 Scott Newlands
7 Ross Rennie
8 Allister Hogg
Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross/Kyle Traynor, Matt Mustchin, Alan MacDonald, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, Jim Thompson.
