THERE is more than one way to pierce a rugby defence and if the 6ft 4in and 16 stone Tim Visser represents a bludgeon then another Edinburgh winger, Andy Turnbull – all 5ft 7in and 12st 8lb of him – looks forward to being given the chance against Munster tonight at Murrayfield to show that his rapier approach can be equally deadly.
As the reigning champions come calling, a reminder has been served of rugby's enduring appeal as a game for all shapes and sizes with the return to the squad of 'Turny' and could it be that the contrast in their styles can be a trump card in coach R
ob Moffat's hand in looking to utilising his bench?
Soften 'em up with the daunting Dutchman then unleash the 'Turn-ado'- a Watsonian will o' the wisp who could be a deadly foil in setting the Irishmen – or anyone else – fresh problems.
It is a 'large and little' approach that, understandably, Turnbull would welcome as he paws the ground in anticipation of a first call to arms since helping carve up Connacht early in the campaign since when he has been kept in the wings.
A late withdrawal last weekend saw Turnbull on substitute duty for the Euro win over Ulster without getting on and, as he confirms, that has made him more determined than ever to grab any chance. "There were mixed emotions attached to the win over Ulster; on the one hand I was happy for the squad while wanting to play a part on the pitch itself. All I can ever do is keep my head down, work hard and wait for the chance while recognising competition in the back three positions is tough.
"Tim has been a revelation and with Simon Webster coming back (he plays for Dundee High at Boroughmuir in the Premiership tomorrow) competition is going to get even more difficult.
"I offer something different to Tim who is a big strong boy who runs really hard. In my case it is about side-stepping and pace and the more space there is the better it suits my style. Moving around trying to cause a bit of havoc is what I try to be about," said Turnbull.
Appearances may have been restricted – Turnbull has played as often for Watsonians as he has for Edinburgh this season – but his strike rate is high with seven tries from 39 Celtic League stints including nine off the bench, and he knows from experience what must be done to see off Munster.
"I've played against Munster often enough to know that closing down (stand-off) Ronan O'Gara is key. If we give O'Gara time he will pin us back in the corners.
"He'll keep us in our own half with his tactical kicking and the threat doesn't end there. In the back three Keith Earls toured with the Lions last summer while Paul Warwick is a very dependable full back. Up front they have runners like Denis Leamy and Paul O'Connell and you never know where the will set you problems next."
Both Turnbull and John Houston, who starts tonight on the opposite wing from Visser, echo the importance of being on guard against a backlash from Munster's 0-30 defeat by Leinster in their last outing. And Houston feels that after a morale boosting win over Ulster, the opportunity exists to recreate momentum that could take Edinburgh into the Autumn Test break on a high provided they can also beat Newport Gwent Dragons next week, also at Murrayfield.
"It's been quite a hectic time with an opening run of nine games on successive weekends.
"Victory over Munster would be a huge signal that Edinburgh are back on track and it is important to carry on where we left off generating quick possession against Ulster. It was so much better for the backs getting ball on the front foot and at top speed.
"If that happens again tonight we can do things quicker and wider," said Houston whose starting record of six out of seven contrasts with a year ago when injury problems meant he had to wait until the 14th match for a run-on role.
"It made such a difference to be starting the season fit instead of trying to play my way in by dribs and drabs," added the man who, in gaining a contract at the relatively late age of 24 in 2007, is held up as an example of the fact that opportunities come to those who wait.
Hopefully that will also apply to Edinburgh, without a win over Munster in five meetings stretching back to 2006, and here it is encouraging that the spine of that 21-10 triumph – Chris Paterson, Phil Godman, Mike Blair, Allan Jacobsen and Alan MacDonald – are back on duty tonight.
EDINBURGHPaterson
Houston
Cairns
De Luca
Visser
Godman
Blair (c)
Traynor
Ford
Cross
Turnbull
MacLeod
MacDonald
Grant
Newlands
Substitutes:A Kelly
A Jacobsen
C Hamilton
A Hogg
G Laidlaw
A Turnbull
S Jones
MUNSTERWarwick
Dowling
Mafi
De Villiers
Earls
O'Gara
O'Leary
Da Hurley
Fogarty
Brugnaut
O'Callaghan
O'Connell (c)
Ronan
Wallace
Leamy
Substitutes:Varley
Archer
O'Driscoll
Ryan
Stringer
De Hurley
Jones
Referee: W Morris (Wales)
