Glasgow v Edinburgh - Team News

Cross makes his derby debut

Geoff Cross will play his first game for Edinburgh tomorrow after being named in the starting line up in the Magners League match against Glasgow at Hughenden. The on-loan Borders prop is one of four changes from last week, coming in for Alasdair Dickinson.

Chris Bentley will also start his first match, with Matt Mustchin moving to the bench. In the back row, Ross Rennie and Dave Callam return while Simon Taylor is named among the replacements.

Head coach Lynn Howells said: "This is the first opportunity we've had to give them game time because of the Heineken Cup so they now have time to show what they can do, and Geoff the chance to prove whether he is the type of prop to fit into the system that we're looking for at the moment.

"In the back row, we're not operating a rotation system but again it's an opportunity to see what our best combinations are there and the players coming in are worthy of their selection."

Looking to the task ahead, he added: "Having come off the back of two losses, we need a positive result to solidify our fourth place in the Magners League going into the Christmas break."

Unavailable for selection: Rob Dewey (knee), Dave Duley (ribs), Allister Hogg (knee), Peter Jorgensen (calf), Greig Laidlaw (knee), Craig Smith (neck), Simon Webster (lower leg & ankle).
 
Edinburgh team to play Glasgow in the Magners League at Hughenden on Friday 22 December, kick off 7.30pm

15         Hugo Southwell

14         Chris Paterson (captain)
13         Marcus Di Rollo
12         Andrew Easson
11         Ben Cairns

10         Phil Godman
9           Mike Blair

1          Allan Jacobsen
2          Dougie Hall
3          Geoff Cross
4          Chris Bentley
5          Scott Murray
6          Alasdair Strokosch
7          Ross Rennie
8          Dave Callam 

Substitutes:

16         Andrew Kelly
17         Alasdair Dickinson
18         Matt Mustchin
19         Simon Taylor
20         John Senio
21         Duncan Hodge
22         Matt Dey