Edinburgh have included five newcomers in their starting XV for the match against Tonga at Myreside tomorrow. Among them are two forwards with international experience, Augusto Allori and Roland Reid. Also making their debuts are Ben Gissing, Allan Kelly, and Andrew Maxwell.

Reid, who was capped by Scotland on the wing in 2001 while he was with Glasgow, will be at No.8, and Allori has played for Argentina as well top-flight clubs in France and Italy. With them in the pack, making up the second row, Gissing, the former Auckland and Leinster lock, will be partnered by a National Academy forward, Kelly, the Scotland under-19 and under-21 cap.

Maxwell, the former Ulster wing who has played for Ireland A, is the only new back.

Tomorrow’s match will kick off at 5.30pm. Entry is free. The turnstiles will be open from 5.45, and Watsonians’ clubhouse will be open for drinks and snacks from 5.30.

15 Nick De Luca

14 Andrew Turnbull
13 Ben Cairns
12 Matt Dey
11 Andrew Maxwell

10 Phil Godman
9 Greig Laidlaw

1 Augusto Allori
2 Steven Lawrie
3 Geoff Cross
4 Allan Kelly
5 Ben Gissing
6 Simon Cross (captain)
7 Ross Rennie
8 Roland Reid

This article was posted on 23-Aug-2007, 20:30 by Hugh Barrow.