Allister Hogg returns to Edinburgh’s starting line-up for the visit of
Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday (1 November, kick off 5.05pm, live on S4C) and the back row forward will captain the team in the final
Magners League match before the Autumn break.
Hogg came on as a substitute during last Friday’s win over champions Munster and reclaims the No8 jersey with Scott Newlands moving across to the blindside slot and Roddy Grant being named amongst the replacements.
As a result, 26-year-old Hogg says he is looking forward to the challenge of leading Edinburgh against the Dragons. Remember that Sunday's match will have a party atmosphere - thanks to our
'Fancy Dress for Dragons' competition. Our mascot, Flinty will judge the best entrant and the winner will receive two tickets to watch Scotland v Fiji. Call
0131 346 5180 to reserve your place in the West Stand for another gripping 80 minutes of top-class rugby in the nation's biggest stadium.
Hogg said: “I’m really pleased to be back in the side and to be leading Edinburgh out again in what will be a difficult game against Dragons.
“The Dragons have played some good rugby so far this season and we realise we need to match the performance we put in against Munster to keep our winning run going.
“The boys played really well last week against Munster and I enjoyed helping them win.
“My mindset will be no different this week – I’ll be aiming to make sure the team performs well and that we get another win before the break in the schedule.”
Greig Laidlaw is the preferred choice at scrum half with Scotland internationalist Mike Blair also named on the bench.
Up front, Scotland prop Allan Jacobsen comes back in at loosehead with Kyle Traynor selected amongst the substitutes.
Mark Robertson – left out of the Munster squad – returns as a replacement in place of Andrew Turnbull with Edinburgh targeting their third win in succession.
Edinburgh Rugby Club team to play Newport Gwent Dragons at Murrayfield (Sunday 1 November, kick off 5.05pm)
15 Chris Paterson
14 John Houston
13 Ben Cairns
12 Nick De Luca
11 Tim Visser
10 Phil Godman
9 Greig Laidlaw
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Steve Turnbull
5 Scott MacLeod
6 Scott Newlands
7 Alan MacDonald
8 Allister Hogg (captain)
Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Kyle Traynor, Craig Hamilton, Roddy Grant, Mike Blair, Mark Robertson, Steve Jones.
