Head coach, Michael Bradley has stuck to his word on pre-season squad rotation, making nine changes to the side that defeated Sale Sharks 28-22 at Edgeley Park for Edinburgh Rugby’s match against Newcastle Falcons tomorrow (Friday 26 August, kick-off 7.30pm) – U18s go free!
Try-scoring full-back Tom Brown and winger Simon Webster are the only backs to be reselected in the new look division which welcomes winger Lee Jones and the new midfield and half-back partnerships of John Houston and Jim Thompson; and Greig Laidlaw and Phil Godman.
The match is Laidlaw’s first since being appointed as Edinburgh Rugby club captain by Bradley just over a fortnight ago.
Bradley said: “I was very impressed with large parts of our performance against Sale Sharks last Friday and am happy to be in a position to select a very different but equally strong side to take on Newcastle Falcons tomorrow in our first home game of the season.”
Kyle Traynor is the only front-row to return to the first XV. He packs down alongside the incumbent Andrew Kelly (hooker) and Jack Gilding, while young Grant Gilchrist earns a start alongside returning lock Steven Turnbull.
David Denton is the only replacement in the back-row, coming in at number 8 alongside Sean Cox and Roddy Grant, both of whom started against Sale.
Bradley added: “Your first run out at home in a new season is very special as you look to show the home support how you’ve improved over pre-season and what you’re all about for the season ahead.
“This match is the last opportunity for players to trial all the things we’ve been working on in pre-season and stake a claim for a starting jersey while it also offers supporters the first chance to sample the new Murrayfield match-day experience.”
From this season on, supporter seating will be in the east-stand while a perimeter standing area has been created around the other three sides of the pitch to get supporters right on top of the action and allow them to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most exciting players in northern hemisphere rugby.
After Newcastle, Edinburgh Rugby will then launch their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign at Murrayfield the following Friday against Cardiff Blues.
Edinburgh Rugby team v Newcastle Falcons, Murrayfield Stadium, Friday 26 August (kick-off 7.30pm)
15 Tom Brown
14 Simon Webster
13 Jim Thompson
12 John Houston
11 Lee Jones
10 Phil Godman
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN
1 Kyle Traynor
2 Andrew Kelly
3 Jack Gilding
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Steven Turnbull
6 Sean Cox
7 Roddy Grant VICE CAPTAIN
8 David Denton
Substitutes
16 Steve Lawrie
17 Lewis Niven
18 John Cox (Currie)
19 Esteban Lozada
20 Hamish Watson
21 Chris Leck
22 Gregor Hunter
23 James King
24 Matt Scott
25 Tim Visser
Friday 26 August – Edinburgh Rugby v Newcastle Falcons, Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm)
Friday 2 September – Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues, Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm) - first match of the 2011/12 RaboDirect PRO12 season
Up to ten under-18s can go to the Edinburgh Rugby v Newcastle Falcons match for free when accompanied by paying adult, student or senior citizen (free U18s do not require a ticket).
SIGN UP FOR NEW PERSPECTIVES IN SEASON 2011/12! All of Edinburgh's RaboDirect PRO12 matches and their Heineken Cup home games are included in our 2011/12 season ticket package, where supporters can get closer to the on-field action with seating in the east stand and new pitch-side standing areas. Season tickets are priced at £35 for under-18s, £90 for students/senior citizens and £180 for adults. For more information on the benefits of being an Edinburgh season ticket holder, and to book in for the campaign under new head coach Michael Bradley, visit www.edinburghrugby.org, call 0131 346 5180 or visit the Murrayfield Ticket Centre (just off Roseburn Street) in person.
