SOLOMONS DEALS IN DEPTH

EDINBURGH head coach Alan Solomons is without 10 key players for tonight’s Guinness Pro12 opener with Leinster, but he has backed the players coming into the side to do a job and start the season with a bang. Alasdair Dickinson, WP Nel, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Grant Gilchrist, David Denton, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Matt Scott are all in the Scotland World Cup squad. And Will Helu is with Tonga for the big event, while regular skipper Mike Coman is unavailable due to personal reasons. Nevertheless Solomons (below) believes his squad now has the strength in depth needed to compete for a top four play-off spot. ‘It has not been easy to select this squad as a lot of players put their hands up during the two friendly matches we

had, but I am happy with what I have gone for,’ he explained. ‘I was pretty pleased with having eight Edinburgh players in the final Scotland squad selection and I think that we could have five starting in the pack for the national side. ‘Having known for a long time we would have players away at this time, we have tried to lay a foundation in terms of our personnel. ‘Our pack has been key to this and we have tried to put in place some good strong back-up. I think we have got that now — the pack that is taking to the field tonight is quality.’ The game takes place at Meggetland — BT Murrayfield is out of action for a Foo Fighters concert next week — but Solomons said: ‘At a club ground with everyone close to the pitch it creates a really good atmosphere and the players feed off that.’

EDINBURGH v Leinster, Meggetland 7.35 pm. Live on BBC ALBA/TG4.