McLaren progeny starts for Edinburgh
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:13
Jim Thompson - the grandson of celebrated rugby commentator, Bill McLaren - will make his first ever Magners League start for Edinburgh, against Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday.
Fullback Chris Paterson was ruled out for the trip to Belfast with an ankle problem, paving the way for Thompson - also the son of horseracing presenter, Derek Thomson.
As a result, Thompson says he is saddened by Paterson's injury, but adds he, and his famous tipster dad, are both thrilled by his call-up into the starting line-up.
"I'm really looking forward to it. It is a shame that Mossy [Paterson] is out injured and I feel for him," said Thompson.
"But it has created an opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to starting for Edinburgh and playing as well as I can.
"I gave my Dad a wee text earlier on and he replied: 'Well done son!'
"Unfortunately he can't make it over to Belfast, but I'm sure he has already checked the odds on me scoring the first try!"
After making his Magners League bow as a replacement at Leinster last season, the 23-year-old had to wait 12 months before sampling his next taste of professional rugby.
But National Academy graduate Thompson says he believes he has matured into a better player over the past year; largely thanks to his time on the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Sevens circuit and playing with his club team, Heriot's
"I learned a lot in between my first game for Edinburgh and my second game, largely thanks to the education I've received in the Scottish Rugby set-up," he added.
"I have developed physically over the 12 months and I've been away with Scotland Sevens which has also helped my game.
"Coming on as a replacement over the past two games has really given me an insight as to where you need to be in order to play Magners League rugby and I feel like I'm a lot better equipped to do that now.
"Heriot's has also been a great place for me to develop my rugby and you only have to look at the number of players who have gone from there on to become capped internationalists.
"Bob McKillop and George Breckenridge - the coaches - have really helped turn the place into a great breeding ground for up-and-coming players.
"They helped John Houston as well and I would say they have been a big help to me."
David Blair makes his first start of the campaign in a halfback combination with elder brother Mike, who was rested for the match at Rodney Parade.
Andrew Kelly - nearing his 100th appearance for Edinburgh - is handed the No.2 jersey with regular first choice hooker Ross Ford named amongst the replacements.
In the second row, Ben Gissing returns to the starting line-up at the expense of Craig Hamilton while on the bench, National Academy flank Chris Fusaro could make his debut for Edinburgh.
Lock Steve Turnbull (fractured ankle) is expected to be sidelined for a lengthy period of time while Paterson (ankle) and Alan MacDonald (eye) join Simon Webster (hip), David Callam (hip), Simon Cross (ribs) and Roland Reid (knee) on the injury list.
Meanwhile, long term absentees Ben Cairns (knee ligament), Ross Rennie (knee), and Matt Dey (shoulder) are still recovering.
Edinburgh: 15 Jim Thompson, 14 John Houston, 13 Hugo Southwell, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Mark Robertson, 10 David Blair, 9 Mike Blair (captain), 8 Scott Newlands, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Matt Mustchin, 5 Ben Gissing, 4 Jim Hamilton, 3 Gavin Kerr, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Craig Hamilton, 19 Chris Fusaro, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Phil Godman, 22 Calum MacRae.
Date: Friday, October 3
Venue: Ravenhill, Belfast
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Touch judges:
John Carvill (Ireland), Trevor Collins (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
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