Blair starts for Edinburgh

Captain Mike Blair and centre Nick de Luca will start for Edinburgh for the first time this season against Leinster in the Magner’s League at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Chris Paterson continues at full-back and the Scotland internationalist will be aiming to continue his prolific spell with the kicking tee - he has now scored from all of his previous 14 attempts.

Club captain Simon Cross is still ruled out with a knee injury and joins long term absentees, Ross Rennie (knee) and David Callam (hip) in the treatment room.

EDINBURGH (v Leinster): C Paterson; M Robertson, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Tim Visser; Phil Godman, Mike Blair; Kyle Traynor, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Scott MacLeod, Alan MacDonald, Roddy Grant, Allister Hogg.

Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Allan Jacobsen, Ryan Grant/Davie Young, Steve Turnbull, Scott Newlands, Greig Laidlaw, John Houston.