Webster in Murrayfield 'debut'
Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:36
Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat has handed Simon Webster his first start of the season for the visit of Magners League leaders Ospreys at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The Blair brothers, Mike and David, will be forming the halfback combination.
Scotland wing Webster has only registered two replacement appearances for Edinburgh so far this season after suffering a hamstring injury.
Now, after starting for Scotland A last weekend, he has reclaimed Edinburgh's No.11 jersey for the visit of high-flying Ospreys; much to the delight of Moffat.
Moffat said: "Webbo [Simon Webster] is looking sharp and has got some game-time under his belt - we're looking forward to welcoming him back into the starting line-up.
"We realise that Sunday's match is going to be really tough; Ospreys are top of the table because they have been consistently good.
"But league positions can change very quickly and it is important that we make the most of our home advantage to put ourselves back in the play-off spots."
Webster's inclusion into the starting line-up is one of four changes with flank Ross Rennie returning after a knee injury, lock Steve Turnbull promoted into the side after captaining Gael Force and Mike Blair being handed both the scrum-half berth and captaincy for the match.
As a result, it will be the first time that Mike has lined up alongside younger brother David in Edinburgh's starting team since November 2007.
Meanwhile, hooker Andrew Kelly - impressive against Munster - will record his 100th Magners League appearance for Edinburgh on Sunday.
Now in his sixth season as a professional, the 27-year-old becomes only the second Edinburgh player to reach that career milestone; following in the footsteps of front row colleague, Allan Jacobsen.
Fullback Jim Thompson is ruled out with a minor knee injury, but the Scotland A internationalist, who signed a new deal on Wednesday, is expected to be back for the visit of Scarlets on Friday March 26.
On the bench, hooker Sean Crombie returns to the squad after a lay-off with an ankle injury and he is joined by Scotland internationalist Phil Godman.
Long term casualty Simon Cross is still out with a knee injury along with Andrew Easson (knee). Allister Hogg is still ruled out with a hip injury and Chris Paterson is expected to be out for eight weeks with a damaged kidney.
Edinburgh: 15 Ben Cairns, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 John Houston, 11 Simon Webster, 10 David Blair, 9 Mike Blair (captain), 8 Roddy Grant, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Steve Turnbull, 4 Scott MacLeod, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Sean Crombie, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Craig Hamilton, 19 David Callam, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Phil Godman, 22 Tim Visser.
Date: Sunday, March 7
Venue: Murrayfield,
Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dave Changleng (Scotland), Bob Nevins (Scotland)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
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