EDINBURGH rugby coach Andy Robinson today confirmed that international prop Allan Jacobsen will play no part in the third-placed team's Magners Celtic League run-in.
Robinson said: "Allan has got a (groin muscle) tear. You never know how these things heal up (but) I expect him to be out for the season."
Scotland are due to visit Argentina in June and Robinson is upbeat about the Six Nations ever-present's pr
ospects, saying: "I'd like to think he will be fine for the tour."
While Edinburgh could field an unchanged side for the first time this season, Robinson is keeping options open until some niggling injuries clear up.
Among those who must first prove their fitness and who started the 38-8 win over Connacht, are Ross Rennie (knee), Ben Cairns, who took a knock to the pelvis in training yesterday, and Nick De Luca, who was assisted from the field during what was Edinburgh's biggest victory of the season after receiving a high tackle.
"I don't want to announce a team without giving them as much time as possible to recover," said Robinson in revealing a 27-man squad.
While keen not to make changes for the sake of it and appreciating the value of momentum, both Robinson and assistant Rob Moffat made clear that even a victory was no guarantee of a 'same again' call.
Moffat said: "The team could win by 50 points but if you are not playing well you could be left out."
Overall, though, Edinburgh will take a pragmatic approach according to Robinson, who said: "The squad is settled but at times it is important to make the right changes.
"I'm not a great one for making huge changes ... just to challenge a few people or there might be the odd change through someone needing a week to recover. We need everyone 100 per cent."
What is clear is that Edinburgh will look to maintain recent defensive qualities having conceded a single try in each of their last three games.
"We are not conceding three, four or five tries – it's difficult to win if you are doing that," said Robinson.
Meanwhile, Robinson added weight to arguments for end-of-season play-offs but saying that in the right circumstances he would support such a move.
"If you have a league where your internationalists are all available for every game you don't need play-offs.
"If they aren't, then play-offs mean you are not being punished twice – once when they are away and also for producing them."
Edinburgh had nine players involved in the recent RBS Six Nations Championship.
"Get those players back and it provides a great spectacle at the end," said Robinson adding: "You have got to sell it in the right way; there is a logic for them."
The full article contains 477 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
