Moffat hopes Edinburgh rediscover natural flair

0 Comments | Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland), The, Oct 29, 2009

Byline: DAVID FERGUSON

EDINBURGH coach Rob Moffat acknowledged yesterday that his side had not turned in their optimum performances in recent weeks, but insisted that he drew much pleasure from seeing his players win games even without their natural ebullience.

The head coach has delayed naming his starting line-up to face the Newport Gwent Dragons because the match is not until Sunday, but the team announced today is expected to be along similar lines to that which defeated Munster at Murrayfield last weekend.

Moffat yesterday named a 24-man squad that sees a return for Fraser McKenzie, the young back row-cum-lock who has been playing well for Dundee in recent weeks, and winger Mark Robertson. Whether both remain in the squad when it is cut to 22 today remains to be seen, but those left out will join some returning from injury, including Simon Webster and Jim Thompson, in playing next Monday in the Gael Force's warm-up match at Doncaster. That amalgam of academy and fringe players will play in the forthcoming British and Irish Cup.

The key for Moffat, however, is finishing the current run of league matches before the autumn break - the Magners League goes into a four-week hibernation after this weekend -with the same hard, physical approach that has underpinned wins over Ulster and Munster in the past fortnight, but with a bit more Edinburgh flair.

"The rugby in the past two weeks has not been great," he said. "We won two games of rugby which is what you're out to do, but the actual performances could have been a lot better. We have to keep on consistently doing what we're doing - front up physically, be accurate, physical and aggressive at the breakdown - but get our game going a bit wider and higher tempo than what it's been.

"There's been a maturity, much of which has come from younger players, and Phil Godman as well because we know the type of player he is, and the type of game he wants to play, but he's been very pragmatic and practical about the last couple of games."

The fast-improving Dragons are perhaps moving in the opposite direction from its trademark tight, limited style to a more expansive side with a dangerous attacking back three. So, Edinburgh supporters will take winning ugly over losing with entertainment, particularly this Sunday considering they are being encouraged to bring a touch of Halloween to Murrayfield with fancy dress costumes. The best costume wins two tickets for Scotland's opening autumn Test match with Fiji.

For the players who do make the 22, Fiji may also be a prize on offer for some Sunday best, albeit with a more on-field role.