WINGER Keleci Eseonu is set to stake a claim for a share of the spotlight when Edinburgh University bid to regain the Preston Lodge ten-a-side rugby trophy at Pennypit Park tomorrow.
Medical student Eseonu is acknowledged to have grabbed the attention of Edinburgh's pro team with a sterling performance against them in a previous Boroughmuir seven-a-side tournament and progress is set to be further monitored starting tomorrow.
Dale Lyon, now in his eighth season as Edinburgh University coach, said: "We won the PL tens two years ago so were disappointed to relinquish the trophy.
"It is likely Keleci will be part of our squad and that should improve our prospects as there is a likelihood he will be invited to train with Edinburgh's squad soon.
"Overall we will benefit from many of our players being on a recent tour of Japan where four matches out of five were won.
"Experience gained on tour should help us further consolidate a place in National League Division One this season followed by a major push back to the Premiership."
Tomorrow's tournament will be the first opportunity to study the new experimental law variations being trialled throughout Europe.
Lyon added: "The changes which are designed to speed up the game should suit student rugby but my major concern centres on matches where there are no neutral touch judges. If the game is faster and referees are required to keep up with play more than ever then might that lead the way to more off-the-ball incidents?"
Defending the trophy tomorrow are Haddington although the Neilson Park club's resources will be spread far and wide with a commitment to be fulfilled on the 15-a-side front at home to Ardrossan.
The full article contains 300 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
