Edinburgh Eagles have announced their squad for their Carnegie Challenge Cup first round tie against the University of Gloucestershie. The squad sees no fewer than 5 players being called up to make their Eagles debuts.

Team Napier rugby league players Rory Mcleod, Niall Parkinson, Rich Johnston and Morgan Martin are all rewarded for their good form at student level this season to make the step up to amateur. Roddy MacKenzie is the other debutant who has been called in from Boroughmuir Rugby Union.

The squad boasts 8 Scotland 'A' 2009 internationalists, including a return for Scotland 'A' captain John Cox, who missed out on Eagles Grand Final win last year which presented the opportunity to once again compete in the Challenge Cup.

Recently appointed Eagles captain Giles Lomax says the team are looking forward to the game and travel down in confidence; "I'm pretty confidence going into th game and believe we can come out with a well deserved win. The team has a good mixture of experience lads with Ash Carroll and John Cox, and also exciting young players coming through in the shape of Rory Mcleod. Gloucester Uni arre a good side who regularly compete in the highest compititions, but if we play to our full capability we can show why we have been Scottish Champions 3 years running."

A lot has been made of the monstorous journey the Eagles squad have to make, and they have decided to travel down on the Saturday evening to split the journey into two. Eagles Head Coach Angus Mcnab believes this could be a factor, but will not accept it as an excuse; "We're really looking forward to the game. Last year it was great to progress in the compitition and we would love to do the same again. I agree with their coach that the journey will be a factor, but hopefully the Rugby League experience we have will see us through and we can get to round 2."

Eagles Squad to face University of Gloucestershire

1. Nick Broere
2. Rory Mcleod
3. Richard Knight
4. Jonny Smith
5. Cieran Watson
6. Seb Trotter
7. Andy Grodynski
8. Ash Carroll
9. Giles Lomax (C)
10. John Cox
11. Niall Parkinson
12. Rich Johnston
13. Mike Wallace

14. Jon Steele
15. Chris Graham
16. Roddy MacKenzie
17. Morgan Martin

Head Coach : Angus Mcnab
Trainer: Stuart Henderson
Team Manager: Ollie Cruickshank