Double lock shock is setback for Edinburgh

EDINBURGH have been dealt a double blow to the heart of their pack, with locks Perry Parker and Steven Turnbull both ruled out of action until after the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup.

Turnbull suffered an injured knee playing for Currie in their Premiership win at Boroughmuir, while Parker hurt his ankle in Edinburgh’s 42-10 win over Zebre at Murrayfield earlier this month. Neither will require surgery but they are expected to miss at least the next six weeks and are looking at a November return to action.

Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley said: “It’s obviously disappointing that both of these players will be unavailable for selection for the next two months, however, the fact that neither requires surgery and can begin their rehabilitation immediately is a big plus. As often is the case in rugby, adversity for one brings opportunity for another, and there is now a chance for a talented young lock like Robert McAlpine to follow in the footsteps of Grant Gilchrist, and continue his progression from our elite development programme.”

Edinburgh strengthened their forward depth in the summer with Parker and South African Izak van der Westhuizen joining the club. The latter is due to arrive at the start of November, after his Currie Cup commitments end with the Cheetahs.

However, Sean Cox and Gilchrist have been the first-choice second rows this season and 21-year-old McAlpine will now be given a chance to push for a starting berth in much the same way Gilchrist was a year ago. McAlpine moved to the capital from Glasgow on an Elite Development Player contract in the summer. The great-nephew of Scotland caps Donald and Angus Cameron, he stands 6ft 7in tall and weighs 17st 11lbs and has already featured for Edinburgh, in games against Ulster and Cardiff last season.