ALAN MacDONALD may be the most youthful member of Edinburgh's starting line-up for tomorrow's crucial Heineken European Rugby Cup opener at home to Leinster - but the 22-year-old carries a wise head on young shoulders.
And he is in no doubt that the faster the pace, the better it will be for the Capital side.
MacDonald admits he and his team-mates are especially keen to fly the flag proudly for Scottish rugby in a season when the European final is scheduled for
Murrayfield next May.
Local hero MacDonald, a product of the Royal High and Heriot's clubs, who will be making his 11th appearance in the tournament, said: "The way we try to play is to try to attack with a good tempo. If a game proves quicker than usual, that suits us and it is also a lot more enjoyable.
"Ours is a team built for speed, it's true. At the same time, though, there's no point in having a wee bit of extra speed if you are not getting the ball in contact.
"We also have to ensure we are aggressive, as well as getting quickly around the park."
After a stuttering start to their Magners League campaign, there's little doubt that Edinburgh will have a more familiar look as players return from injury.
But coaches Andy Robinson and Rob Moffat also appear to have given extra thought to the appropriate blend for what has been referred to as a cup final, given the importance in Europe of not only a winning start but success at home. The hard-grafting Matt Mustchin moves from flanker to second row so that MacDonald can be accommodated on his return from one week out with an eye injury.
"It was nothing much, just a scratch," says MacDonald, who will be alongside similarly zippy types in Ally Hogg and Scott Newlands.
That could well be the Edinburgh masterstroke which helps consign recent setbacks at Celtic League level to the history books – especially as Robinson and MacDonald shared in one of the outstanding Scottish results against Irish opposition in recent seasons. Scotland A's 67-7 rout of their Irish counterparts at Perth last winter may have been overshadowed by the Six Nations tournament running concurrently but it proved that, on their day, Robinson's teams are capable of suddenly – if sometimes unexpectedly – cutting loose.
The memory draws a warm smile from MacDonald, albeit he is careful not to dwell in the past.
"Something similar to that Ireland A match this weekend would be an absolute dream," he said.
"There are areas where we know we can improve and, having looked at them, if we learn lessons we can score more tries and put more points on the board. We've also got to keep improving our defence."
A balanced team approach is crucial for MacDonald whose own personal attributes are wide and varied. Robinson summed them up by saying: "Alan has accuracy at the breakdown, where he is very sharp.
"He brings bravery and courage and reads and understands the game well. He is a very, very under-rated player. Alan has taken his chances, not only with Edinburgh but with Scotland A."
If MacDonald has still to take that final step to Test level, it is clear that, should the day come, he will not be overawed judging by a further warning he has for Edinburgh.
Noting how the opposition will field the likes of Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll, 91-cap stalwart Malcolm O'Kelly and Argentinean star Felipe Contepomi, whose 357 points make him the 12th highest scorer in tournament history, MacDonald added: "It's important we play the jersey not the (famous) face. We can't afford to get caught up in who the opposition are.
"Of course we will respect Leinster but it is all about how Edinburgh prepare."
MacDonald is equally emphatic in his view of what a decent European Cup run would mean.
"I was in the (Murrayfield) stands four years ago when Toulouse beat Stade Francais on what was a great day out in a city where there is a lot of rugby played.
"At the same time there is potential for creating more interest and it is exciting to have that chance."
Equally enthused is second-row colleague Jim Hamilton who, two seasons ago, helped Leicester win a semi-final against Llanelli before missing out on a final place.
If that has fired Hamilton to go one better with his new club, then he still refuses to look beyond tomorrow's opener.
"Leinster have players like (Bernard) Jackman, a massive ball carrier, and Rocky Elsom, a world class flanker," said Hamilton.
"They've got (Chris) Whittaker, (Brian) O'Driscoll, (Felipe) Contepomi and the new guy Luke Fitzgerald.
"All top-class players – but so have Edinburgh, who have turned over Leinster in the past and can do it again."
