Laidlaw aiming to continue winning run

Laidlaw has been handed his first start of the campaign after replacing Mike Blair in the number nine jersey with the Scotland captain ruled out for the match because of a head knock.

It is a fitting reward for the 22-year-old after a whirlwind two weeks which culminated with the half-back helping the Scottish Thistles win the 125th Melrose Sevens.

Laidlaw said: "It has been an unbelievably eventful couple of weeks for me. About a week ago I was in Australia with the Scotland Sevens squad, then I flew back to play for Edinburgh Accies against the Barbarians before winning the Melrose Sevens on Saturday.

"Now I have been given my first start for Edinburgh this season and hopefully I can use all the experiences I've picked up on my travels and put them to good use."

In terms of positive pre-match omens, Laidlaw's family have traditionally fared successfully against Irish opposition.

His uncle Roy scored twice against Ireland at Lansdowne Road in 1984 to help Scotland clinch the Triple Crown en route to Grand Slam success.

Laidlaw admits he is proud of the achievements of his famous relative, but is now planning to establish himself as a talented rugby player in his own right.

He added: "My Uncle was a great player for Scotland and the Lions. But I hope people are now starting to recognise me as a player in my own right; that would be really good."

Meanwhile, Scotland centre Nick De Luca returns to first team duties after a lay-off with an ankle injury to partner Ben Cairns in midfield.

But Scotland prop Craig Smith (calf) is ruled out and joins Andrew Turnbull (head knock), Roland Reid (hamstring), Allan Jacobsen (groin), Ross Rennie (knee) and Simon Cross (lower back) in the treatment room.

Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Leinster at Murrayfield (Friday 18 April, kick off 7.30pm)

15 Hugo Southwell
14 Simon Webster
13 Ben Cairns
12 Nick De Luca
11 John Houston
10 Phil Godman
9 Greig Laidlaw

1 Augusto Allori
2 Ross Ford
3 Gavin Kerr
4 Matt Mustchin
5 Ben Gissing
6 Allister Hogg (captain)
7 Alan MacDonald
8 David Callam

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Scott Newlands, Ben Meyer, David Blair, Calum MacRae.