Cairns injury is not serious

EDINBURGH RUGBY today received a boost when it emerged that star centre Ben Cairns might soon be available after an injury scare.

The team's newest internationalist was helped from the pitch with suspected knee damage in the 22-15 win over London Wasps and will miss the pre-season friendly at Bath tomorrow night.

However, fellow centre Calum MacRae said after arriving in the English west country that Cairns would not be out for too long. "Unfortunately, Ben twisted his knee and will be out for a couple of weeks with knee ligament damage. I don't think it is too serious."

In the absence of Cairns it is expected that MacRae will line-up at outside centre with the No.12 shirt going to Nick De Luca.

Also out injured tomorrow are Test forwards Gavin Kerr and Jim Hamilton but Mike Blair and Ally Hogg are back in the squad.

Squad: D Blair, M Blair captain, Easson, Callam, Cross, Mustchin, De Luca, Ford, McKenzie, Godman, C Hamilton, S Turnbull, Hogg, Grant, Jacobsen, Kelly, Laidlaw, Lawrie, MacDonald, MacRae, Meyer, Newlands, Paterson, Fusaro, Robertson, Southwell, Thompson, Traynor, A Turnbull, Webster.