EDINBURGH may be the junior partner in the Scotland World Cup squad with half the number of players that Glasgow Warriors have contributed, but Alan Solomons, the pro side's head coach, reckons they could still supply half a dozen players to the first team.
As he pointed out, the front row is likely to play, Grant Gilchrist and David Denton are strong contenders and Matt Scott may also feature at centre. The only two nearly certain to miss out in the run-on team are Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who is competing with Greig Laidlaw, the captain, and Stuart McInally, who is up against clubmate Ross Ford.
Despite all those absentees – Will Helu, is also away with the Tonga squad – Solomons is confident in the group he has left. So confident, in fact, that he feels able to ease into his side some of those players who missed out only at the final cut, with Greig Tonks and Hamish Watson both listed in the replacements.
"We have worked like crazy," said Solomons as he prepared the side for their Guinness PRO12 season opener against Leinster at Meggetland tonight. "We said we had to lay a foundation with the way we play and in terms of our personnel. Our pack has been very important and we have been at pains to build a good pack of forwards and good strength in depth. With all those guys out, it is not too shabby."
Damien Hoyland, the winger, is one player who has benefited hugely from the summer training with Scotland. He admits he was shocked to be in the squad in the first place and though he was disappointed to miss out was not surprised. "I said from the start that if I did not make it, it would not be so bad because I had been training there, had put myself in a good position to play for Edinburgh," he said.
"There was slight disappointment but you have to take the positives – I feel fit and strong and ready to play. I think I have definitely advanced. I had a few things I needed to work on at 15s going into the summer, a few skills I needed to pick up again – kicking and high-ball catching, I was doing them every day. I feel I have got a lot better over the six weeks. Just being around people like Sean Lamont, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser and learning the odd tricks and from their experience – I have learned a lot. I think I can bring a lot to the team."
Edinburgh: J Cuthbert; D Fife, C Dean, S Beard, D Hoyland; P Burleigh, N Fowles; R Sutherland, N Cochrane, J Andress, A Bresler, B Toolis, C Du Preez, R Grant (c), N Manu. Replacements: G Turner, A Dell , S Berghan, F McKenzie, H Watson, S Kennedy, G Tonks, J Johnstone.
Leinster: I Nacewa; F McFadden, B Te'o, N Reid, D Fanning; C Marsh, L McGrath; M Bent, A Dundon, J Hagan, T Denton, M McCarthy, K McLaughlin (C), D Leavy, J Conan. Replacements: B Byrne, P Dooley, R Burke-Flynn, R Molony, D Ryan, I Boss, R Byrne, G Ringrose.
Referee: P Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
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