Hamilton gets recall for crucial Heineken tie

Published on Wednesday 3 December 2008 09:08

EDINBURGH RUGBY have recalled Jim Hamilton to their side for Friday's make-or-break Heineken European Cup pool clash with London Wasps at Murrayfield.

The Scotland second row was rested following the recent Autumn Tests for last weekend's Celtic League victory over Ospreys but returns with a likely inside knowledge of Wasps from his days attached to the former English champions Leicester Tigers. Dropping out is Ben Gissing.

Also in the Edinburgh side, Chris Paterson sets out towards his century of Heineken Cup appearances, having reached the 50 mark in the away win at Castres last time out. Full-back Paterson will be presented with a commemorative cap on Friday.

The encounter will also be a red-letter day for Ben Cairns, who achieves his 50th Edinburgh appearance. Indeed, since debuting for Edinburgh, Cairns has only missed a handful of matches, most of them after injuring a knee in a pre-season friendly win over Wasps earlier this season.

Both teams have, so far, lost to Leinster and beaten Castres Olympique.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh retain the same bench line-up that figured prominently in sealing the win over Ospreys last week.

Edinburgh: Paterson, Robertson, Cairns, De Luca, Webster, Godman, M Blair (captain), Jacobsen, Ford, G Cross, C Hamilton, J Hamilton, A MacDonald, Hogg, Rennie. Subs: Kelly, Kerr, Mustchin, Newlands, Laidlaw, D Blair, Southwell.