Paterson switches to wing as Robinson is forced to change tack

EDINBURGH have made great play through the summer about a squad now boasting 17 Scotland internationals, but the flip side of that level of competition struck home for coach Andy Robinson as he was forced to change tack in planning the line-up for tomorrow's opening Magners League match against Munster.

Whereas he previously stated that Chris Paterson was returning to Edinburgh as a stand-off or full-back, and that wing would no longer be his position, Robinson yesterday named Scotland's most-capped player in the No14 jersey. He explained that his views had changed on where the gifted playmaker should operate and it now appears likely to be on the flank at least in the short-term.

Geoff Cross has also displaced Scotland tighthead Gavin Kerr in the battle for the No3 jersey, while Dave Callam misses out on the No8 spot as Matt Mustchin slips back from the second row berth he filled under Robinson last season to the blindside flank in a bid to help ensure reliable lineout possession against the formidable Munster pack.

Even without David Blair (rested after a head knock), Ben Cairns – ruled out by knee ligament damage until November – John Houston (pelvis), Jim Hamilton (shoulder), Ross Rennie (knee), Matt Dey (shoulder) and Simon Cross (ribs), Robinson and Rob Moffat, his assistant, have more widespread selection conundrums than has arguably ever been the case at the club.

On the changing view of Paterson's strengths, Robinson explained: "Considering Chris Paterson at 15, Rob and I felt Hugo was the number one 15 at the moment so he won that spot, and then it was looking at the balance we wanted to have on the wing and ensure that the opportunities we have we take the points, but also looking at the threat Chris had from the wing in the 40 minutes he played there against Bath (in last week's friendly].

"I did (say I viewed him as only a full-back or stand-off], but having now worked with him, and seen him play, I think I'd play David Blair at ten (before him] and with the new laws it's changed my looking at the back three selection. Playing in the back three now at times you're playing with three full-backs, with the amount of kicking and chasing that is taking place, so we felt the balance was good with Chris there on the wing.

"You never say never, but I see him as a back three player, and he will goal-kick. I'm really pleased and excited with the team we've picked, the potential there for Mark Robertson and Andrew Turnbull coming on means there is real quality coming off the bench as well."

It has been intriguing wondering where Paterson would fit into Edinburgh's team on his return from a season with Gloucester, as it has coincided with Southwell and Godman achieving new levels of consistency. With confidence lifted by returns to the Scotland team in the final Test of last season, the win in Argentina, both players have also kicked on over the summer according to coaches and developed further their attacking threats.

Moffat commented: "Hugo has trained really well and he finished last season off really well. In the last six or eight games for us you saw his game developing and I'm really happy with him. The season hasn't started yet, but so far he's looking really good."

Paterson, who Moffat insisted had also impressed in pre-season, remains a quality player as he lines up for his 150th appearance with Edinburgh, and he should benefit playing in a better and more competitive environment than the one he left a year ago – which underlines why, even with such a daunting start to the season as Munster and Leinster, there is an air of excitement around the capital side.

In the past the Irish provinces have rested front-line players from early Magners League games, but, after convincingly beating London Irish with a full-strength line-up last week, new Munster coach Tony McGahan appears to be planning to launch the full might of the Heineken Cup champions onto Murrayfield tomorrow in a bid to launch their season with victory.

Robinson believes his side has what it takes, however, to end the search for a first home win against Munster since 2003-4. He added: "We based our selection around looking at the players we think can beat Munster. We're pleased with the pre-season we've had but the wins over Wasps and Bath will be meaningless if we don't get something out of the games with Munster and Leinster."

• In yesterday's edition, a photograph of Edinburgh player Ross Rennie was captioned incorrectly as Fergus Thomson. We apologise for the error.

FACT BOX

Edinburgh team (v Munster at Murrayfield, tomorrow, kick-off 7.30pm)

15 H Southwell.
14 C Paterson.
13 C MacRae.
12 N De Luca.
11 S Webster.
10 P Godman.
9 M Blair (capt).
1 A Jacobsen.
2 R Ford.
3 G Cross.
4 C Hamilton.
5 B Gissing.
6 M Mustchin.
8 A Hogg.
7 A MacDonald.

Subs: A Kelly, G Kerr, S Newlands, D Callam, G Laidlaw, M Robertson, A Turnbull.