Edinburgh look to build on pre-season hype

Edinburgh made a statement of intent for their Magners League campaign with a 21-22 win over Cardiff in the Welsh capital. Alan MacDonald, Tim Visser and Chris Paterson all scored for the gunners to give new head coach Rob Moffat an impressive debut victory.

After finishing second in the Magners League last season, their highest ever placing, Edinburgh have been growing in confidence over the summer with some impressive pre-season friendlies and the introduction of new faces at Murrayfield. Dutch-born Tim Visser is Edinburgh’s latest recruit and rounded off his debut with a well-taken try in the opening quarter to give the visitors a 14-3 lead.

With Edinburgh’s financial resources being vastly inferior to that of Premiership, and indeed Magners League teams, the Murrayfield outfit have strengthened over the summer with the promotion of several Scottish youngsters from the national academy. Alan MacDonald, Roddy Grant and John Houston all played exceptionally well to show that the gunners have a strength-in-depth that has perhaps been missing in previous seasons.

Although Edinburgh were never behind in this tight encounter, Cardiff remained determined that they would not lose their first game at their new £48million Cardiff City Stadium. A late fight back by Cardiff was inevitable, and it was the veteran Gareth Thomas who handed the home side a chance to snatch the victory with a defiant try with six minutes remaining. Fortunately for Edinburgh Ben Blair missed the resultant conversion kick and the visitors held out for a win.

Despite the close nature of the game, Edinburgh coach Moffat believes his side won deservedly:

“We deserved to win. We could have lost, but we would have been annoyed to say the least, because we should have been out of sight at half time.”

Moffat added: “We were well on top and should have had four tries. That level of threat was pleasing, but so was the fact we showed character and defensive ability in the second half to keep them out.”

Although much has been made of Andy Robinson’s departure from Edinburgh to take up the position as Scotland national coach, it appears that Moffat and his revamped backroom staff are more than capable of equalling, if not surpassing, Robinson’s impressive tenure.

Moffrat has issued a rallying call to the club's supporters for this season's home fxitures, urging them to turn out in numbers.

The new head coach has promised fans that his team will employ an entertaining brand of rugby without losing sight of their primary goal - to win matches. Moffat said: "We are planning to play the type of rugby which puts a smile on the faces of our supporters and brings a real feelgood factor to our home games at Murrayfield.”

He also added "This will be our first home match since the team finished second last season and it would be great to see a positive response from our supporters. We will always try to play open, attractive rugby - the type of rugby which excites everybody from supporters to players and coaches.”

With tickets available for only £10 for students, this season at Murrayfield is shaping up to be one of the best value-for-money nights out in Edinburgh. With a Magners League title a very real aspiration this season, there has never been a better time to show your support for your local rugby team!