Blair returns in all-Scottish Edinburgh squad

Currently situated in fifth spot, Edinburgh will be aiming to replicate the team's previous two Magners League displays at home which saw the team from the Scottish capital record eye-catching victories over both Glasgow and Ulster.

Blair, alongside Chris Paterson, Nick De Luca, Phil Godman, Ross Ford and Jim Hamilton, is one of five players returning directly from RBS 6 Nations duty and the 27-year-old believes Edinburgh can use the game as a springboard to finish the campaign with a flourish.

Blair said: "It is good to be back playing for Edinburgh. We are keen to generate some momentum and that starts with the Connacht match.

"There are six games remaining and we believe that all six are winnable matches.

"With it being such a tight league, if we can achieve that goal then we can finish near the top end of the championship."

Fresh from helping Scotland 7s win the IRB World Cup Sevens Plate in Dubai, Andrew Turnbull will start on the wing in a back division containing seven players who featured at Test level during the RBS 6 Nations.

Up front, prop Kyle Traynor retains his place in the front row to make his fourth start alongside Ford and Geoff Cross, who has recovered from a knee injury.

In the back row, Scott Newlands replaces club captain Simon Cross, who is unavailable because of a back injury while Matt Mustchin (ankle) is named amongst the replacements after a two-month lay-off.

Prop Gavin Kerr has shaken off a troublesome back injury to claim his spot on the bench alongside utitlity back John Houston who has recovered from a groin injury.

On the injury front, Hugo Southwell (head knock), Roland Reid (knee) and Marc Teague (shoulder) are joined in the treatment room by long term casualties Matt Dey (shoulder), Ross Rennie (knee), David Callam (hip), and Steven Turnbull (ankle).

Meanwhile Calum MacRae, Andrew Easson and Jim Thompson are currently away on duty with Scotland 7s in Hong Kong.

Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Connacht in the Magners League at Murrayfield (Friday 27 March, kick off 7.30pm)

15 Chris Paterson

14 Andrew Turnbull
13 Ben Cairns
12 Nick De Luca
11 Simon Webster

10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair (captain)

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Jim Hamilton
6 Scott Newlands
7 Alan MacDonald
8 Allister Hogg

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Gavin Kerr, Scott MacLeod, Matt Mustchin, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, John Houston.