Rugby: Edinburgh Coach Backing Star Man to Bounce Back

London, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/27/2010 -- Rugby coach Rob Moffat is backing comeback man Chris Paterson to extend his Scottish record 100 caps as he continues to recover from a split kidney sustained in last seasons RBS Six Nations Championship.

Fears existed in some quarters over Patersons future when he was taken to hospital suffering severe internal damage during the Test with Wales in Cardiff. He hasnt played since.

But with Edinburgh back in pre-season training Moffat has been ableto monitor Paterson pictured, from close quarters and is quick to dispel concerns while acknowledging the extent of the damage sustained.

I'm sure there are more international appearances and another World Cup left in him I know he wants those challenges

One side effect of Patersons trauma, according to Moffat, is that he has been around the club passing on advice and generally inspiring young players when he would otherwise have been in Argentina with the Scotland squad.

The younger players have been able to learn from somebody who got a really bad injury which in some ways didnt register with followers to the extent it might have, had poor Thom Evans not suffered a horrible career-ending injury in the same match.

Wales V England Hospitality
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England V Wales Hospitality
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While Ally Hogg and Jim Hamilton have moved to English clubs, Moffat has seen that trend reversed by bringing in Alex Grove on loan from relegated Worcester.

But the Edinburgh coach appears to be keeping options open regarding making Groves switch permanent in giving a vote of confidence to a young centre who has had a wretched time, injury wise.

Until he goes back Alex will give us good quality cover in a position where we also have the likes of Ben Cairns and Nick De Luca (both Scotland caps) while Andrew Easson will be looking to re-establish himself.

Easson hasnt played for Edinburgh since September 2008 and, on the brink of a return last season, sustained knee problems.

Utility back King is one of several arrivals from the club-scene that has long been championed by Moffat but perhaps more than ever nowadays. At Edinburgh we watch closely what is happening in the clubs as shown by the fact we have also signed Lee Jones from Selkirk.

Further back Jim Thompson, John Houston and Mark Robertson are examples of players who earned their contracts in the Premiership and I am sure the trend will continue.

In fact, the British and Irish Cup has been an innovation that will strength links even more improving the quality of our recruits.

Graham Lowe takes a lot of credit for improving relations between the pro-teams and the club sides and the B & I Cup has created something new to aim at.

To back up those remarks Moffat has revealed that a training camp at St Andrews next month will see Edinburgh undertake training sessions alongside players from locally-based Howe of Fife, Kirkcaldy and Dundee High.

Tearaway Currie hooker Alun Walker is among nine players who have been attached to Edinburgh Rugby for regular training as elite development players this season.

Wales V England Hospitality
http://www.corporatehospitalitygroup.com/Rugby-Hospitality/Six-Nations-Hospitality/666/Wales-V-England-Hospitality/Wales-V-England-Millennium-Stadium-Cardiff-Friday-February-04-2011-Tickets.htm

England V Wales Hospitality
http://www.corporatehospitalitygroup.com/Rugby-Hospitality/Six-Nations-Hospitality/666/Wales-V-England-Hospitality/Wales-V-England-Millennium-Stadium-Cardiff-Friday-February-04-2011-Tickets.htm