Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons insists his side are ready to hit the ground running as they kick off their GUINNESS PRO12 campaign by welcoming Leinster to Meggetland. Solomons’ troops are missing nine squad members on international duty at the World Cup – eight for Scotland and Will Helu for Tonga. Edinburgh have won just one of their last nine encounters with Leinster since 2010 – 11-6 at Murrayfield in December 2013 – and Solomons has given youth a chance this Friday as Meggetland hosts its fourth GUINNESS PRO12 encounter. "Despite the challenges presented by the upcoming Rugby World Cup, we have had a good pre-season and everyone is looking forward to the start of the PRO12,” Solomons said. “Leinster, despite World Cup commitments, have a strong side and we still need to be at our very best on Friday night.” Edinburgh's only victory in the final four rounds of last season's GUINNESS PRO12 was 37-0 at home to Zebre in Round 20 and Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane and John Andress start at loosehead, hooker and tighthead respectively. Locks Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis make up the second row. Cornell Du Preez at blindside, captain Roddy Grant at openside and Nasi Manu – making his first competitive start for the club – at No.8 complete the pack. Stand-off Phil Burleigh and scrum-half Nathan Fowles resume the half-back partnership from last week's friendly win over Ulster while Chris Dean and Sam Beard are at outside and inside centre respectively. Damien Hoyland – a product of the Boroughmuir club where Friday's game is being held – and Dougie Fife take the left and right wing berths respectively and birthday boy Jack Cuthbert – 28 today – is in at full-back. Leinster have perhaps surprisingly only won in Round 1 once in the last seven years; 42-19 at Scarlets in 2013. The Leinstermen missed the play-offs last year for the first time since they were introduced and will be keen to make up for that disappointment with a strong start this time around. Despite their many absentees for the World Cup, Leo Cullen has named his first competitive XV with 11 internationals in the matchday squad. Cullen is also able to call upon the services of five players released from the Irish Rugby World Cup training squad in Michael Bent, Jack Conan, Fergus McFadden, Noel Reid and Isaac Boss. The front row consists of Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon at hooker and Jamie Hagan at tighthead, with Tom Denton and Mike McCarthy locking down behind to complete the tight five. Kevin McLaughlin captains the side from blindside flanker for his 115th appearance in blue after an injury-disrupted season last year where he only played five times. Dan Leavy makes his first start for the province from openside. The UCD man made three appearances last season off the bench while still in the Leinster Academy. Jack Conan completes the pack from No.8. Luke McGrath and Cathal Marsh get another opportunity to shine having started both pre-season games at nine and ten. Marsh will also be making his first start for Leinster. Last year’s joint top try-scorer Darragh Fanning starts on the left wing, with McFadden on the right, while Reid and Ben Te'o start in the centre. Isa Nacewa makes his second return to the men in blue by starting at full-back and he is desperate to make a fast start. "Yeah, it's important we get off to a good start," he said. "The current group of players that we've got, we've worked hard for this first game. We've built nicely over this whole pre-season. "But it is important to get away with a good start, definitely through the World Cup period. "There is no better way than going away from home to do that." At Meggetland, 7:35pm. Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 61st competition game) Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White, Mike Adamson (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU) TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU) Live on BBC Alba and TG4
