Moffat makes six changes for Stade test

Published 22 Jan 2010 16:36 0 Comments

HEAD coach Rob Moffat has made six changes to Edinburgh's starting line-up for Saturday's Heineken Cup Pool Four tie against Stade Francais at Murrayfield (kick off 3.45pm, January 23, live on Sky Sports) with wing Simon Webster called into the match squad for the first time this season.

His fellow wing Mark Robertson, centre Nick De Luca, prop Kyle Traynor, hooker Andrew Kelly, prop Geoff Cross and flanker Ross Rennie have all been reintroduced into the starting line-up for the team's final Pool match.

Meanwhile, Scotland internationalist Webster has been named amongst the replacements after recovering from a hamstring injury which had prevented him from playing throughout the opening half of the campaign.

Webster admits he is relieved to be back in the squad after his lay-off through injury.

Webster said: "I'm really pleased to be back to be back in the squad; this is where the hard work starts.

"Obviously it has been really frustrating for me. But I'm just looking forward to getting a lot of work done over the next couple of months."

Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat praised the decision to mark the recent passing of legendary rugby commentator Bill McLaren with a minute's applause before the match.

McLaren, grandfather of Edinburgh's versatile back Jim Thompson, sadly passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86, prompting heartfelt tributes from the rugby world.

As a result, Edinburgh felt it was fitting to conduct a minute's applause to celebrate the life of the 'Voice of Rugby', something that Moffat wholeheartedly endorses.

Moffat said: "It is a mark of respect that Bill deserves; he was an absolutely top-class person.

"You would never hear anybody say a bad word about Bill McLaren. Everyone will have their own special memories about Bill and I can remember in the days of 'Rugby Special' he would come and attend a club training session. He always had time for everyone.

"His rugby knowledge and enthusiasm was well documented, but I will always remember what he was like as a man - he was a true gentleman."

Captain Chris Paterson is now two nine points away from breaking Duncan Hodge's Heineken Cup points scoring record.

Mike Blair is still ruled out with an ankle injury, but Edinburgh's first team captain is moving increasingly closer to a return.

Vice captain Allister Hogg is expected to be out for a few months after undergoing surgery to repair a hip problem at Spire Murrayfield Hospital last month.

Stand-off David Blair (ankle) continues to be ruled out while club captain Simon Cross is still out with a knee injury along with Andrew Easson (knee).

Edinburgh Rugby Club team to play Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup at Murrayfield (Saturday 23 January, kick-off 3.45pm, live on Sky Sports): 15 Chris Paterson (captain); 14 Mark Robertson; 13 Ben Cairns; 12 Nick De Luca; 11 Jim Thompson; 10 Phil Godman; 9 Greig Laidlaw; 1 Kyle Traynor; 2 Andrew Kelly; 3 Geoff Cross; 4 Jim Hamilton; 5 Scott MacLeod; 6 Alan MacDonald; 7 Ross Rennie; 8 Roddy Grant.

Substitutes: Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen, David Young, Craig Hamilton, Scott Newlands, Ross Samson, John Houston, Simon Webster.

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