Rugby: Rob Moffat looking to homegrown talent as league gets set to expand

EDINBURGH Rugby coach Rob Moffat has urged Scotland's top club stars to take advantage of an expanded Magners League to launch professional careers.

With the arrival of two Italian teams in the set-up next season, Edinburgh expect to add another two players to a squad that is traditionally 36 strong.

That is in addition to Selkirk utility back Lee Jones, who has come on board and is about to start a one-year deal.

Moffat said: "I try to keep a handle on who the best young players are in the club game and with our squad to be expanded opportunities will exist."

The coach, who leads his side to Newport-Gwent Dragons tomorrow for a crucial match which could determine whether Edinburgh figure in the end-of-season play-offs, insisted it would be within his remit to bring in foreign talent but made a clear preference for identifying homegrown players.

"These guys (foreigners) are big-money signings and you are never 100 per cent sure of what you are getting.

"You would have to be pretty certain.

"People complain that there are only two pro-teams in Scotland; well, let's give a chance to as many Scots as possible."

Meanwhile, Moffat has moved to allay fears surrounding the future career of international second row Craig Hamilton, who has not played since being stretchered off with a neck injury against Ospreys on 7 March in an incident which saw an opponent cited and banned for recklessness.

"Even at 30, there are a few years left in Craig rugby-wise. It is very frustrating for any player who is told to do nothing at all.

"Craig has just been given clearance to run either on a treadmill or outside and next week will start working with a ball again.

"After that, he'll return for another medical examination before resuming contact training," said Moffat in making it clear that he now anticipated the forward player to make a full recovery.