Club season preview, Part 4: Edinburgh Accies confident despite change

After Ian Barnes worked his magic to drive the club back up the leagues, Simon Cross has taken it on and managed to keep Accies in the new ten-team Premiership. But, just as few would ever confuse former Army officer Cross with former Hawick second row Barnes, so no-one is likely to find similarities between the Accies style of play under the two men.

Cross is still cutting his teeth in coaching and is one of a handful of young coaches being groomed by the SRU for better things. He impressed many in the game even before he hung up his pro boots with Edinburgh, with his knowledge of rugby and commitment to improving himself and others.

That is a strong part of what Accies are about under his guidance, self-improvement and development. Holding on in the top flight of club rugby the question is whether they are hard enough to hold their own at the sharp end of the semi-pro game with the top division cut to ten teams.

One player who probably typifies Accies is Callum Reid. He stands 6ft tall and weighs 98kgs (around 15st6lbs). That used to be a good size for a rugby player, and still is for a back. But, these days, back rows tend to be over 6ft 4in and any under 17 stones struggle to make an impact.

But Reid, who can play any position in the back row but will start tomorrow at No8, is one of many deft footballers in the Accies team and he believes that that will be where the Accies might surprise opponents this season.

“We are quietly confident about what we can do in the Premiership,” he told The Scotsman. “I don’t think anybody expects us to do anything and so I don’t think there’s any pressure on us. Teams might expect us to play the game a bit wide, but there is a lot that we have up our sleeves that they won’t expect.

“We have worked very hard over the summer and are a fit squad, and our general plan is to start this Saturday at Currie at a high tempo and really pick it up through games and through the season, maybe running some of the less fit sides off the park. I’m not the biggest back row in the league, that’s for sure, but the thing is all our players are highly skilled. There are no real weaknesses in terms of handling, running and playing the game quickly and, if we can play our game at a high tempo, we are confident that we will trouble a lot of sides.”

Generally speaking, teams who do well in the top flight have the fittest and strongest squads, a formidable pack, an accurate goal-kicker and a tight defence.

The forward battle is where opponents will undoubtedly try to target Accies but Cross has been astute in the draft and his team for tomorrow’s opener with Currie features young talents including wing Jamie Farndale, scrum-half Alex Black, tighthead prop Alex Allan and openside flanker Hamish Watson, who are all on Edinburgh’s books. He may also have Alex Glashan and Chris Dean, a new sevens pro, available during the season, and is trying to get ex-pros David and Alex Blair to return to their original club.

There are a number of newcomers and how quickly Edinburgh wing Simon Webster, Ewen Campbell, back from the southern hemisphere, twins Ryan and Niall Godsmark from Selkirk, Sale Jets hooker Fraser Rawlinson, 18-year-old second row from Preston Lodge Arron Welsh and back row Chris Hill find their feet will be instructive.

There may be a different look about Accies since Cross replaced Barnes, and many questions ahead of the weekend’s opener, but there is also a quiet confidence bubbling around Raeburn Place that will upset cocky visitors.

Ground: Raeburn Place

Head coach: Simon Cross

Captain: Dan Teague

Players in: Simon Webster (Edinburgh), Fraser Rawlinson (Sale Jets), Alex Allan (Loughborough University), Arron Welsh (Preston Lodge), Chris Hill (Otley), Ewen Campbell (NZ), Ryan and Niall Godsmark (Selkirk), Sam Pecquer (Trinity Accies), Ruaridh Young (back from injury), Alex and David Blair (tbc).

Players out: Ross Brown (retired from 1st XV), Andy Lamb (Musselburgh), James Taggert (London), Jamie Sole (on trial at Newcastle).

Players to watch: Duncan Morrison (prop) and Jamie Farndale (wing).

Last season: 11th but won play-off to stay in Premiership

Prediction: 10th