Captain Blair returns for Edinburgh
Mike Blair will make his first start of the new Magners League season against European champions, Leinster, at Murrayfield on Saturday.
After missing the opening match of the new campaign, Blair has subsequently been handed cameo roles in the wins over Connacht and Ulster – coming off the bench during both victories.
But now Moffat believes the time is right to give Scotland internationalist Blair the number nine jersey for the Magners League leaders’ showdown with the Heineken Cup holders.
Moffat said: “Greig Laidlaw has played very well so far this season and we are pleased with him.
“But Mike came on last Friday and made an impact – he is our captain and everybody knows just how good he is.
“We just felt this was a good week for Mike to start. He has had his pre-season later than others, so in many respects he is still getting into the season.”
Centre Nick De Luca is also poised to record his first start of the new season; reclaiming the number 12 jersey from John Houston, who is selected on the bench.
He added: “Nick did well off the bench and we thought it was time he started. John Houston has played very well and probably played his best game last Friday night, but we thought the time was right for Nick to start this week.”
Moffat explained that the team’s early season success was a real squad effort and he anticipates every member of his 36-man playing staff making a significant contribution during the season.
Moffat said: “We are looking to carefully manage the whole squad over the course of the season because there is a lot of rugby to be played in the Magners League, Heineken Cup and in international rugby as well.
“You’ve got to look at the whole season. We cannot just rely on 25 players in order to achieve that. Last season I believe we used 36 players, so I’m sure we will use that amount again.”
Just four months ago, Leinster last visited Murrayfield when they were crowned European champions and Moffat expects a lot of the Irish province’s stellar names to return for the clash.
He said: “This week we face a completely different challenge against a team like Leinster and a lot of their big name players should be back this weekend.
“Historically, we’ve played well against Leinster here at Murrayfield and both teams tend to want to play open, attacking rugby which will make it an exciting encounter for spectators.
“Leinster have developed their game over the past two or three seasons and they are far more physical than they used to be.
“It is a chance for us to keep moving on. It was a good win at Ulster last weekend, but, in many respects, it was not a good performance.
“I think it should be a cracking game and we just want to keep winning and entertain our supporters in the process.”
Leinster meanwhile will be boosted by the return of Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney as all three make their first starts of the season following their involvement in the British and Irish Lions tour.
Kearney starts at fullback in a back three which also includes Shane Horgan and Fitzgerald, with Fergus McFadden partnering Gordon D’Arcy at centre. Eoin Reddan lines up alongside Shaun Berne at half-back.
In the pack, skipper Leo Cullen starts alongside Nathan Hines with Heaslip forming a powerful back three alongside two recent Academy graduates Sean O’Brien and Kevin McLaughlin. Cian Healy continues in the front row alongside John Fogarty and Stan Wright.
The replacements bench will be confirmed closer to kick off and the list features four Ireland internationals.
The Teams
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair (captain), 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Alan Jacobsen, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Steve Turnbull, 20 Scott Newlands, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 John Houston.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen, 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements (from): Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Shane Jennings, Dominic Ryan, Simon Keogh, Jonathan Sexton, Girvan Dempsey.
Date: Saturday, September 26
Venue: Murrayfield
Time: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Tim Hayes (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Graham Knox (SRU), Bob Nevins (SRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU).
