Laidlaw captains Edinburgh against Munster

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

Greig Laidlaw will captain a new-look Edinburgh side for the trip to Magners League champions Munster on Friday evening (19 February, kick off 8pm, live on Setanta Ireland) and head coach Rob Moffat believes the scrum-half has the right skill-set to lead the side to a positive result.

Laidlaw, 24, signed a new two year contract with Edinburgh on Monday and has been rewarded with the captaincy for the trip to Cork to face the tournament title holders.

Moffat says that his elevation to captain was a logical choice and will lead to a seamless transition should replacement Mike Blair be introduced into the action during the game.

Moffat said: “Greig is playing consistently well and I think he is a natural leader.

“At scrum half, he is in a good position to captain the side and, with Mike on the bench, it means if we make the change then there is a straight swap.”

Laidlaw forms a half-back combination with David Blair, who makes his first appearance for Edinburgh since damaging his ankle against Bath in December.

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Laidlaw agrees new Edinburgh deal

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 in Rugby News

Greig Laidlaw says he is looking forward to challenging Mike Blair for Edinburgh’s number nine jersey after agreeing a new two year contract with the club.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a productive season so far and has recorded 11 starts including a man-of-the-match display against Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup.

Now Laidlaw says he is aiming to help Edinburgh reach the Magners League Grand Final in May and competing with captain Blair to be the team’s first choice scrum half.

Laidlaw said: “I’m very happy to be signing for another two years. First and foremost, I want to help the team reach the play-offs and challenge for the title.

“Another target is that I want to keep my place in the Edinburgh side. Mike has just signed a new contract as well, so I’m looking forward to the battle.

“I’ve been delighted with how this season has gone so far. I think I’ve developed massively as a player this year.

“I’ve really enjoyed my rugby and I think that has shown on the pitch. I’ve been pleased with some of the performances I’ve put in and long may that continue.”

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Scotland’s win inspires young captains

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

Stewart’s Melville captains Michael Crawley (under-18) and Paul Henderson (under-15) revealed today that Scotland’s inspirational 9-8 victory over Australia on Saturday (21 November) has spurred them on to do the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup double.

As the only school guaranteed a place in both cup quarter-finals, the pair joined Scotland co-captain and former Schools Cup finalist, Mike Blair, at Murrayfield today to draw the semi-final of the flagship schools tournament.

The pair drew a home and an away tie a-piece and are relishing the prospect of a potential double-header derby against local rivals George Heriot’s should their under-18s knock out Galashiels Academy and their under-15s see off Kelvinside Academy.

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Scotland side to play Argentina named

Posted on Nov 25, 2009 in Rugby News

Scotland have made three changes and one further positional switch in their team for Saturday’s Murrayfield meeting with Argentina.

Following the 9-8 victory over Australia last weekend, head coach Andy Robinson describes the changes as “subtle”. They see 24-year-old Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald introduced for his first cap, alongside the return of Ben Cairns (his fellow Royal High School former pupil) and Thom Evans in the back division, with Alex Grove moving to inside centre.

Tickets are on sale now from £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s and students and can be bought online until 12 midnight on Friday at www.scottishrugby.org.

The alternations have been undertaken with a view to delivering a win against Argentina who are above Scotland in the IRB world rankings.

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Robinson names his first Scotland selection

Posted on Nov 9, 2009 in Rugby News

Head coach Any Robinson has named one new cap in the Scotland team to play Fiji in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Alex Grove, the Worcester Warriors outside centre, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on St Andrew’s Day, will make his debut, while Robinson also lists Moray Low, 24, at tight-head prop to make his first international start and his first cap appearance at Murrayfield.

In all there are ten changes in personnel from the Scotland team that started their last international against England at Twickenham last March for Robinson’s first match as Scotland head coach having been appointed in June.

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