Dutch Rugby's Finest to Start for Edinburgh

A new look Edinburgh team under new coach Rob Moffat will seek a return to winning ways in Cardiff on Friday.

Some of the changes are enforced by injury—Edinburgh still have a long list of injured including Jim Hamilton, Dave Callam, and Ross Rennie—while others like Lions Ross Ford and Mike Blair are rested.

While the bench looks a little youthful/undercooked, look for sevens man Roddy Grant to lay down a marker while Scott Macleod will look to continue his road to redemption in the second row.

We also have Holland’s sole pro rugby player and a new signing from the Newcastle Falcons, Tim Visser, hoping to pin down a wing spot. And let’s not forget the return of Chunk!

Given performances in the preseason it’s difficult to tell if the players will be able to live up to last season's results, but I reckon Cardiff may be too strong for them, especially as they will be smarting after their home defeat to Edinburgh at the end of last season. I hope Moffat’s boys can prove me wrong, though.

Here's the Edinburgh roster set to face the Cardiff Blues: Chris Paterson, Mark Robertson, Ben Cairns, John Houston, Tim Visser, Phil Godman, Greig Laidlaw, Allan Jacobsen, Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Scott MacLeod, Alan MacDonald, Roddy Grant, and Allister Hogg (captain).

Substitutes: Sean Crombie, Kyle Traynor, Steve Turnbull, Fraser McKenzie, Ross Samson, David Blair, and Nick De Luca.

The game will be shown live on BBC2 Wales—see our Scottish Rugby on TV page for details of how to view this (basically have Sky or live in Wales).