Boost for Edinburgh as Paterson returns to face champions

ROB MOFFAT welcomes back leading points scorer Chris Paterson into Edinburgh’s starting line-up for the visit of champions Munster to Murrayfield tomorrow night.

Paterson, who has contributed 61 points during four Magners League games, reclaims the number 15 jersey after missing last weekend’s Heineken Cup pool four victory because of a viral infection.

Ben Cairns also returns to the back division — linking up in a centre partnership with Nick De Luca — while John Houston moves across to the wing.

In the pack, Scott Newlands replaces Allister Hogg at the base of the scrum.

Head coach Moffat revealed the changes were attributed to managing the wellbeing of the entire squad to cope with the season’s challenges.

Moffat said: “Steve Jones played well for us last week, but I felt bringing Chris back in was the right decision.

“Chris has been playing well for us this season. Everybody always goes on about his goal-kicking, but first and foremost he has been playing well — looking really sharp.

“As I’ve said before, this season’s challenge is a 36-man job and it is my responsibility to manage the squad properly.

“Ally has started the first seven games of the season and has contributed well.

“Scott came on last weekend and did well — very few, if any of our players will start every game this season.”

Over the past three years, Munster have won three trophies — the Heineken Cup (twice) and the Magners League — and Moffat believes the Irish province have become the standard bearers for winning rugby.

Moffat said: “It’s another massive challenge for the team, but it’s one we are really looking forward to.

“Over the last few years, Munster have consistently performed well at the highest level. That is the benchmark for other teams to aspire towards and we are expecting another tough game.”

On the injury front, wing Simon Webster is expected to return to competitive action with his club side, Dundee HSFP in the near future after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Club captain Simon Cross is recovering from a serious knee injury and joins long term absentees, Ross Rennie (knee) and David Callam (hip) in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, Scotland lock Jim Hamilton (knee) is still sidelined.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson, J Houston, B Cairns, N De Luca, T Visser, P Godman, M Blair (captain); K Traynor, R Ford, G Cross, S Turnbull, S MacLeod, A MacDonald, R Grant, S Newlands.

Replacements: A Kelly, A Jacobsen, C Hamilton, A Hogg, G Laidlaw, A Turnbull, S Jones.