Home-town hero hands Edinburgh a boost for trip to face Leinster –

Home-town hero signs new two-year deal for Edinburgh ahead of visit to Dublin

Edinburgh have made five changes, with home-town hero Tom Brown secured on a new two-year deal, as they head to Dublin to take on Leinster in the Guinness Pro12 tonight.

The 26-year-old full-back/wing, who joined the capital club as a teenager in 2010, recently made his 100th appearance against Glasgow in the 1872 Cup, and has scored 17 tries since joining up.

“My focus has always been on playing for Edinburgh, and it’s a privilege to represent my home town each time I take to the field,” he said.

“The club has come a long way since my first cap in 2010 in terms of development both on and off the field.

“There’s a strong team culture within the group just now, and we are all determined to continue taking the club in the right direction.

“I believe this squad has the potential to achieve a lot, and that’s something I want to be a part of in the coming years,” he added.

Acting head coach Duncan Hodge said Brown’s enthusiasm and example were a key element at the club.

“He’s hugely enthusiastic about continuing to improve his game, has been a consistent performer for the side this season, and is ambitious for the club going forward,” he said.

“Tom’s attitude, commitment and professionalism serve as a great example to those around him and we’re delighted to have him around for another two years.”

Brown will line up at the RDS, where Edinburgh are seeking to avoid a third straight loss to an Irish province after defeats to Munster and Ulster in the last two weeks.

Hodge has been granted the use of Duncan Weir only from the matchday 23 in Paris, with Damien Hoyland and Cornell du Preez also released from the international training camp at Oriam.

Glenn Bryce at full-back and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne at scrum-half, both absent for the last few weeks, come into the side in the backs.

Hodge said: “We’re back on the road and know Leinster are a tough team to overcome, especially on their home patch. As a squad, we’ve learned a lot from last week’s match against Ulster and will look to take the positives from an encouraging second-half display into this week’s game.

“The players showed a lot of character and resolve last week in overcoming the challenges of what was a high-tempo and physical encounter.

“Those involved tomorrow night will need to show a similar tenacity and perform for the full 80 minutes if we’re to challenge the home side.”

Picture: SNS. Tom Brown, who has signed a new two-year deal, in action against Leinster last year.