Young centre Ben Cairns will captain Edinburgh in Friday's Magners League clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 22-year-old Scotland A international admitted it will be "a massive honour" to lead out Andy Robinson's side at Rodney Parade.

Edinburgh will be looking to return to winning ways after their home defeat to Munster on February 15, a result which nudged the Murrayfield side down to fifth in the table.

Cairns scored a try during Scotland A's emphatic win against Ireland A last Friday, and Robinson, who also coaches the Scottish second-string side, has been hugely impressed by the former Currie player.

Robinson said: "I think he is one for the future and he has really done well so far this season, both for Edinburgh and for Scotland A."

It may not be long until Cairns is capped at senior level, but he is happy with the current rate of his progress.

"Obviously it is a massive honour for me to captain the team," he said.

"I've not had the chance to do it before, so it is something I am really looking forward to.

"Given the way the season has gone, both personally and for the team, it is another highlight and being given the captaincy is a really pleasant surprise."

Robinson includes Scotland internationals Nick De Luca, Dave Callam and Ross Rennie in his side to face the seventh-placed Dragons, but Mike Blair, Allister Hogg, Simon Webster, Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford and Hugo Southwell are rested.

Robinson said: "It is important we put a strong performance in this weekend against a very talented Dragons side."

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