MacLeod excited ahead of Scarlets return

The Scotland lock ended his two and-a-half year association with the Welsh region at the start of the year.

Now following a handful of appearances for Scotland 'A', Edinburgh's back-up team and as a replacement at Munster two weeks ago the 29-year-old is on the threshold of starting for his new team; something he is eager to experience.

MacLeod said: "It is really exciting and I couldn't think of a better game for me to possibly make my first start in.

"There is a bit of fire in my belly about playing the Scarlets. I want to play well for Edinbugh and the fact it is against my old team gives the game bit more of an edge.

"I made a lot of good friends at Scarlets and I enjoyed my time there, so it will be an interesting match and I'm looking forward to it."

On the topic of his fitness, MacLeod believes he is getting sharper and said: "I am feeling better all the time and the training sessions have been pretty intense.

"I played the full 80 minutes for Scotland 'A' on Friday and, although I didn't have my best game, it was important as I'm building my fitness up.

"I need to show I'm worthy of starting place for Edinburgh because there is so much competition for places.

"Hopefully I'll be given an opportunity on Sunday and it will be a chance to put down a marker.

"The move has worked out well so far. It has been good and I feel like I'm being challenged every day in training - both by Andy Robinson and my team-mates.

"On the rugby side of things it has gone well and, on a personal note, with my family being closer to home it has been good for my wife and kid to be near grandparents, aunts and uncles."

Head coach Andy Robinson has delayed naming his final side for the trip to West Wales. But Scotland internationalists Simon Webster and Hugo Southwell have been added to the provisional 26-man squad alongside first year professional Fraser McKenzie and Scotland under-20 centre Ashleah McCulloch.

Aberdeen Grammar back McCulloch, part of the National Academy supported by the Area Institute of Sport, has impressed assistant coach Rob Moffat while helping the under-20 team to wins over Wales and Italy

Meanwhile, Edinburgh are without Jim Thompson, Andrew Turnbull, Roland Reid and Andrew Easson, who are all away with Scotland 7s for the World Cup Sevens in Dubai.

On the injury front, Matt Dey (shoulder), Geoff Cross (knee), Gavin Kerr (back) and John Houston (fractured hand) are joined in the treatment room by long term casualties Matt Mustchin (ankle), Ross Rennie (knee), David Callam (hip) and Steven Turnbull (ankle).

Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Scarlets in the Magners League at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli (Sunday 8 March, kick off 4.10pm, live on S4C): Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson, Ben Cairns, Ashleah McCulloch+, Nick De Luca, Calum MacRae, Simon Webster, Marc Teague, Mark Robertson, David Blair, Greig Laidlaw, Ben Meyer; Kyle Traynor, Bruce McNeil, Ryan Grant, Steve Lawrie, Andrew Kelly, Sean Crombie, Craig Hamilton, Scott MacLeod, Ben Gissing, Simon Cross, Scott Newlands, Fraser McKenzie, Alan MacDonald, Allister Hogg.

+ = National Academy supported by Area Institute of Sport