Leinster v Edinburgh Team News
Lawrie hooks up with Edinburgh for Leinster
Academy player Steven Lawrie will make his first appearance of the season for Edinburgh after being named in the starting line-up for the Heineken Cup match against Leinster. The 22 year-old hooker's previous appearance for the senior side was coming off the bench against Glasgow Warriors in December 2005.
Head coach Lynn Howells has made five changes, one of which is positional, to the side which beat Llanelli Scarlets last week in the Magners League. John Senio also makes his first start in place of Mike Blair while Fergus Pringle comes in for Matt Mustchin who, like Blair, was injured in last week's victory. Simon Taylor moves to number eight in place of Dave Callam, making way for Alasdair Strokosch to return to the blindside flank.Lynn Howells said: "We have made the changes because of injuries but it gives us an opportunity to look at young players in European competition. I have no doubt they'll show they're capable of playing at this level."
Lynn Howells said: "We have made the changes because of injuries but it gives us an opportunity to look at young players in European competition. I have no doubt they'll show they're capable of playing at this level."
"The decision to appoint Scott Murray as captain was taken earlier in the week when Chris Paterson was in rehab, and at this stage, Scott has proved he's a quality leader."
Unavailable for selection: Mike Blair (collar-bone), Rob Dewey (knee), Allister Hogg (knee), Greig Laidlaw (knee), Matt Mustchin (collar-bone/shoulder), Ross Rennie (collar-bone), Craig Smith (neck), Simon Webster (lower leg & ankle).
Edinburgh team to play Leinster in the fifth round pool two Heineken Cup match at Donnybrook on Saturday 13 January, kick off 5.35pm
15 Hugo Southwell
14 Chris Paterson
13 Marcus Di Rollo
12 Matt Dey
11 Ben Cairns *
10 Duncan Hodge
9 John Senio
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Steven Lawrie
3 Alasdair Dickinson *
4 Fergus Pringle
5 Scott Murray (captain)
6 Alasdair Strokosch *
7 Alan MacDonald *
8 Simon Taylor
Substitutes:
16 Andrew Kelly *
17 Dougie Hall
18 Dave Hewett
19 Steven Turnbull **
20 Dave Callam *
21 Phil Godman
22 Andrew Easson
* Member of the Scottish Institute of Sport
** Member of East of Scotland Institute of Sport