CALUM MacRAE will tonight attempt to demonstrate the wisdom of that old chestnut "as one door closes another opens".
The 28-year-old utility back steps into a role for Edinburgh in their final pre-season friendly at Bath knowing that the centre berth would probably have gone to Scotland's newest international, Ben Cairns, had he been fit.
However, with Cairns ex
pected to miss the first couple of Celtic League outings, against Munster at home and Leinster away, due to knee ligament damage, opportunity knocks for Scotland A cap MacRae.
He said: "Injuries are something that happen and I've learned that it can be a case of swings and roundabouts with chances arriving through somebody else's misfortune. I had to wait until three months into last season before representing Edinburgh because of injury.
"Ben's misfortune in twisting a knee means I'll be starting at outside centre tonight with Nick De Luca getting a chance to show what he can do at inside centre.
"It's a pity for Ben but I don't think his knee ligament damage is too serious and he should be available again in a couple of matches."
MacRae slotted seamlessly into the void left when acting Edinburgh captain Cairns retired hurt after 21 minutes of the eventual 22-15 win over London Wasps last weekend, although he expects tonight's assignment to be tougher.
"The key last week was matching Wasps physically.
"As for Bath, they are expected to play a game more like our own, which is based on off-loading passes from tackles," he continued.
Whereas Edinburgh have had only one full-scale warm-up, Bath have already accounted for Ulster in Belfast and Llanelli at home.
To partially offset greater match preparation, Edinburgh travelled to the English west country on Wednesday to set up a training camp.
MacRae said: "On the journey south we bumped into Glasgow coach Sean Lineen who was talking about the benefits of their recent trip to France.
"Edinburgh's getaway is shorter but it can have the same effect in terms of helping the players get to know each other better."
Equally encouraging for Edinburgh is the way they have taken to new laws being trialled this season, particularly one which requires defenders to stand five metres back at scrums. It was from an attacking set-piece that Edinburgh scored the first of their three tries against Wasps, and MacRae said: "With defenders getting up quickly to stifle attacks, the game can tend to stagnate with too much kicking.
"Now there is more incentive to run the ball when momentum can be generated by the ball being moved from first phase. I was generally pleased with my form when I came off the bench last week and it will be a case of continuing to try to make up for time lost to injury last season."
What was obvious was the gusto with which MacRae seized the moment, starting with a brilliant cover tackle to bring down England World Cup winner Josh Lewsey near the corner-flag.
MacRae, who was part of the Scotland A squad at this summer's Churchill Cup in North America, added: "I'm just pleased to be getting something out of the tremendous pre-season programme undertaken by all the players and mapped out by our fitness trainers Neil Potts and Dave Hughes along with Andy Boyd.
"Back-up is in place as Edinburgh seek the all-important balance between being competitive and working through our moves ahead of the start of league matches."
A foot problem 12 months ago meant MacRae missed Edinburgh's 2007 pre-season trip to Bath where they returned with their tails between their legs after a 41-10 defeat. These days, however, there is a freshness about the Edinburgh approach which can stand them in good stead tonight against the reigning European Challenge Cup holders.
The full article contains 652 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
