Preview: Edinburgh v Ospreys
Rob Moffat has handed Simon Webster his first Edinburgh start of the season for Sunday's visit of league leaders the Ospreys to Murrayfield.
Rob Moffat has given Simon Webster his first Edinburgh start of the season for Sunday's visit of league leaders the Ospreys to Murrayfield.
Blair brothers, Mike and David will form the half-back 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 week, he has reclaimed the number eleven jersey for the visit of the high-fliers; much to the delight of Moffat.
“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,” he said.
“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 flanker 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.
Full-back 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 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 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.
Meanwhile, the Ospreys will be missing nine players on international duty.
Huw Bennett, Tommy Bowe, Lee Byrne, James Hook, Paul James, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Shane Williams are not avaialiable for selection while Alun Wyn Jones is one of eight players on the injury list.
“This is the tightest I've ever seen the Magners League I think, and with seven games to go there's still a lot to play for,” commented Ospreys Head Coach, Sean Holley.
“We'll be looking for a big performance on Sunday and we want to improve on our Connacht performance, which wasn't great. We've been boosted by the addition of some of the Wales contingent, who will join up with us later in the week. We are grateful to the Welsh management for allowing these boys to return to us, their availability has certainly allowed us more options going into a difficult game.
“Edinburgh are a good side. When you look at their side, a lot of them have been involved with the Scotland A side and the 20's recently.
“We enjoyed a good army camp visit which was to try and keep the boys together between games, and I think that'll stand us in good stead going into the game.”
Form: Ospreys won 31-10 in the Magners League when the two teams met on 4 October and have not achieved a seasons double over the Scotsmen since 2006/07. Edinburgh have won just one of their most recent four games in the Magners League: 21-12 at home to Cardiff Blues on 9 January. Edinburgh have won their last two matches against the Welsh regions. Ospreys currently sit atop the Magners League table after four straight wins, whilst they have won just one away game in the Magners League since September: 21-14 at Scarlets on Boxing Day.
The teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Ben Cairns, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 John Houston, 11 Simon Webster, 10 David Blair, 9 Mike Blair (capt), 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.
Ospreys : 15 Gareth Owen/Barry Davies, 14 Jonny Vaughton, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Filo Tiatia, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins (Capt), 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Richard Hibbard/Ed Shervington, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington/Marc Breeze, 17 Cai Griffiths, 18 Andy Lloyd/James Goode, 19 Steve Tandy/Ben Lewis, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Ashley Beck, 22 Barry Davies/Gareth Owen.
Date: Sunday, March 7
Kick-off: 14:00
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: David Changleng (SRU), Bob Nevans (SRU)
TMO: Iain Ramage (SRU)