Edinburgh look for teenage kicks as Leonard is handed first pro start

Supporters will be delighted to see the return of the Scotland front row trio, Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford and Geoff Cross, after early season struggles to compete in the set-piece, while Chris Paterson and Nick de Luca will inject experience to the back line.

However, with Phil Godman still being managed through his recovery from a cruciate knee injury, and having his wedding this weekend, the door to the stand-off role has opened for Harry Leonard.

The teenager was one of three young Scots, alongside his Edinburgh team-mate Grant Gilchirst and hooker George Turner, who spent 18 weeks in Christchurch as the Macphail Scholarship was broadened this year. During that time he was able to study Dan Carter, the world-leading stand-off injured during the World Cup, at close quarters while part of the Canterbury RFU International High Performance Unit.

In a diary of the trip, Leonard wrote: “Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder during our second session, which put me out for three to four weeks. But, during those few weeks, I spent the time doing a lot of rehab with the physio, and watched a lot of the Canterbury Crusaders training sessions, especially the sessions during the build up to a game, paying attention to how their tactics and game plans differed depending on who they were playing, as well as taking notes on what the key players in my position were doing to prepare for the game, for example, watching Dan Carter during his kicking sessions.

“After recovering from injury I played for Lincoln University’s 1st XV which was hugely beneficial and interesting to experience rugby in such a different environment. The rugby is played at such a high tempo and the ability to play ‘heads up’ rugby, reacting to what the defence does in front of you, is crucial. I have learned a huge amount.

“On Monday evenings we played conditioned games with the Canterbury Academy which were a good opportunity to learn from the hugely-talented players out here, especially those in my position. These games highlighted to me that although it is helpful to have good muscle strength and size, it’s far more important to be quick and explosive, as well as extremely fit, as the best players are able to maintain the quality of their performance for the whole session as opposed to it dropping off as they get fatigued.

“Watching and learning from players like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw has given me the opportunity to see what it takes to get to the top of the game – [there isn’t] a Crusaders training session where Richie McCaw isn’t the first one out of the changing rooms and the last one back in.

“Playing in such a competitive environment and amongst such a talented training group has taught me to be very strict on myself and to strive towards being the best player I can be. You will make gains if you are prepared to work hard to achieve them.”

Leonard has been marked out as a player of real promise ever since he first pulled on the navy blue at age-grade level. He had represented London South-East at rugby and football and played stand-off for Scotland under-18s while at Brighton College. After joining Boroughmuir and coming north on an SRU development contract he was selected at stand-off and centre for Scotland under-20s this year, the 6ft 1in, 13-stone figure taking over as captain in the youngsters’ Six Nations Championship.

Edinburgh’s pre-season was already underway when Leonard returned from New Zealand, but after coming off the bench in the defeat away to Aironi coach Michael Bradley believes he is ready to start at pro level, where he will tonight face Ireland fly-half Jonny Sexton.

He said: “Physically, he’s a big lad, is strong and has a physical presence. He has worked hard with Boroughmuir, our coaches have watched him a couple of times and they’ve accommodated us by playing him at out-half in the last two games, and that’s an area we’re looking at.

“Gregor Hunter did well in some games; he’s young and is learning. We said to Harry that he would get an opportunity and this is his opportunity now. He’s been with the squad for nine or ten weeks now and is comfortable with all the calls and structures, so we’ll see how he goes. Gregor and Harry are good kickers of the ball and can get good distance with their kicks, and that is an area that we have to have in our game-plan if we are to progress.”

Godman’s return from nearly a year out of the game following a cruciate ligament injury is being managed with training stepping up and tailing off. He is currently on some time off, which coincides with his wedding this weekend, but Bradley expects him to be back for the opening Heineken Cup match against London Irish if not in next week’s game at Treviso.

Leinster are phasing their World Cup performers back in after Ireland exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage. They will be captained by Leo Cullen, one of ten Ireland internationalists in the starting line-up. Hooker Sean Cronin is another and he makes his full debut for the province alongside Heinke van der Merwe and Mike Ross, promising a good front row battle. Luke Fitzgerald makes his 90th appearance for the province in a back three with brothers Rob and David Kearney, while Isaac Boss and Sexton are at half-back.

Bradley added: “The priority for us is to get more points in the RaboDirect Pro12. Like us, Leinster have a lot of quality players coming back so, while the timing is good for us, it’s also good for Leinster so I think it’ll be a great match.”