Moffat makes five changes for Ospreys trip

Following last Saturday's narrow home loss to European champions Leinster, Edinburgh are still top of the table and have scored 30 more points than any other team in the competition.

Now Moffat has decided to inject some fresh faces into his line-up with Chris Paterson, Ben Cairns, Kyle Traynor, Ross Ford and Roddy Grant replaced by Jones, John Houston, Allan Jacobsen, Andrew Kelly and Scott Newlands.

The Edinburgh head coach stresses the reasoning behind the changes was because of a need to manage the overall fitness level of the squad rather than down to individual performances.

Moffat said: "There have been some tough selection decisions to make and, make no mistake about it the side chosen is not an experimental team.

"We have selected the team we believe can go to the Ospreys and win while also managing the wellbeing of the whole squad.

"You will see very few teams in the Magners League pick the same starting line-up every week and we need to maximise the resources from within our squad.

"As I've said before, the challenges we face this season in the Magners League and Heineken Cup will require contributions from every member of our squad.

"The changes now give other players a chance to show what they can do against quality opposition. They have warranted a chance and now they have to seize that opportunity."
Jones, 26, joined from Newcastle Falcons in May and the Scotland 'A' internationalist says he is really looking forward to making his full debut.

Jones said: "I'm really pleased to have been given an opportunity. I've been waiting for an opening and now I'm determined to make the most of it."

Moffat believes his players have learned a lot from the defeat by Leinster and says there is plenty of confidence in the squad heading into Sunday's contest.

He said: "There was disappointment after the Leinster result, but we have moved on and it is an exciting challenge to face Ospreys down in Swansea.

"They are a quality side with some excellent individuals, but we have belief in our squad and we certainly don't fear the task ahead."

On the injury front, wing Simon Webster is still receiving treatment for an Achilles injury he suffered during pre-season.

Club captain Simon Cross is still ruled out with a knee injury and joins long term absentees, Ross Rennie (knee) and David Callam (hip) in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, both full-back Jim Thompson and Scotland lock Jim Hamilton (both knee) are back doing light training and closer to returning to first team availability.

Edinburgh Rugby Club team to play Ospreys at Liberty Stadium (Sunday 4 October, kick-off 4pm, live on BBC Wales)

15 Steve Jones
14 Mark Robertson
13 Nick De Luca
12 John Houston
11 Tim Visser
10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair (captain)

1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Andrew Kelly
3 Geoff Cross
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Scott MacLeod
6 Scott Newlands
7 Alan MacDonald
8 Allister Hogg

Substitutes: Ross Ford, Ryan Grant, Steven Turnbull, Roddy Grant, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, Ben Cairns.