Moffat demands big start
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:05
Head coach Rob Moffat is demanding a big start to Edinburgh's 2010-2011 Magners League campaign, which gets underway when they take on the Blues in Cardiff on Saturday.
Fresh off a 19-17 warm-up win against London Irish last weekend, he has listed three players for Magners League debuts in the starting line-up - Fijian internationalist Netani Talei at No.8, Scotland cap Alex Grove at inside centre and the 22-year-old Scotland Sevens internationalist and former Selkirk back Lee Jones on the right wing.
Elsewhere Phil Godman holds off the strong challenge of David Blair to take the No.10 jersey for what will be his 100th Magners League appearance, while Scott MacLeod and Andrew Kelly return to the squad.
Moffat said: "We're really looking forward to the start of the season.
"I think we got a lot out of both our warm-up fixtures against Bath and London Irish - not least the amount of game time across the squad and whether it was first year pros or the elite boys any number of them put their hands up and pushed for selection."
In that regard Moffat praised Lee Jones who scored a second-half try brace against London Irish.
Jones has won a starting berth ahead of both Mark Robertson and Andrew Turnbull.
"Lee deserved a start. He's got a tremendous work ethic, has trained very well and has been a great example for others," he explained.
Turning to the game Moffat added: "We are excited to be starting the league. We began really well last season when we beat Cardiff in Cardiff in our first game. In fact we have won on our last three league visits to Cardiff.
"Cardiff finished last season very well and had a good win against the Dragons in Martyn Williams' testimonial game last Friday so we know it will be tough on Saturday."
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Alex Grove, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Netani
Talei, 7 Roddy Grant (captain), 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jack Gilding, 19 Craig Hamilton, 20 Scott Newlands, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 David Blair, 23 John Houston.
Date: Saturday, September 4
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Phil Fear (Wales), Colin Kirkhouse (Wales)
TMO: Tony Rowlands (Wales)
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
