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Scott MacLeod is set to make his first start for Edinburgh on Sunday - against the team he left just two months go.

The 29-year-old lock (pictured) will return to Llanelli as part of the squad to take on the Scarlets, with whom he spent two and a half years before being given permission to return home to Scotland.

Edinburgh head coach Andy Robinson today delayed naming his side for this weekend's Magners League clash, with Scotland's first-choice full-back Hugo Southwell part of a provisional 26-man party.

Following a handful of appearances for Scotland A, Edinburgh's back-up team and as a replacement at Munster two weeks ago, MacLeod hopes this weekend will herald his first senior start for his new club.

He said: "It is really exciting and I couldn't think of a better game for me to possibly make my first start in.

"There is a bit of fire in my belly about playing the Scarlets. I want to play well for Edinburgh and the fact it is against my old team gives the game bit more of an edge.

"I made a lot of good friends at Scarlets and I enjoyed my time there, so it will be an interesting match and I'm looking forward to it."

MacLeod endured an injury-hit final few months with the Scarlets and also had the spectre of a failed drugs test hanging over him - though his explanations for this were accepted.

He added: "I am feeling better all the time and the training sessions have been pretty intense.

"I played the full 80 minutes for Scotland A on Friday and, although I didn't have my best game, it was important as I'm building my fitness up.

"I need to show I'm worthy of a starting place for Edinburgh because there is so much competition for places.

"Hopefully I'll be given an opportunity on Sunday and it will be a chance to put down a marker.

"The move has worked out well so far. It has been good and I feel like I'm being challenged every day in training - both by Andy Robinson and my team-mates.

"On the rugby side of things, it has gone well and, on a personal note, with my family being closer to home it has been good for my wife and kid to be near grandparents, aunts and uncles."

Edinburgh are without Jim Thompson, Andrew Turnbull, Roland Reid and Andrew Easson, who are all away with Scotland for the World Cup Sevens in Dubai.

On the injury front, Matt Dey (shoulder), Geoff Cross (knee), Gavin Kerr (back) and John Houston (fractured hand) are joined in the treatment room by long term casualties Matt Mustchin (ankle), Ross Rennie (knee), David Callam (hip) and Steven Turnbull (ankle).

SportingLife / Eurosport