Phil Godman is set to record his 100th Edinburgh cap against Castres © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: Castres 6 - 13 Edinburgh

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup | Heineken Cup

Teams: Castres | Edinburgh

Phil Godman is poised to record his 100th appearance for Edinburgh at Castres in the Heineken Cup on Saturday evening while fellow back Ben Cairns returns after recovering from a knee injury.

Godman joined his hometown team from Newcastle Falcons in 2004 and the former Merchiston Castle student has since become an integral part of the Edinburgh team. He acknowledges the career milestone as being a genuine achievement, but stresses it will count for nothing unless Edinburgh return to winning ways.

Godman said, "It is a great honour and to get a victory in France would make it even more special. I wasn't really sure I was that near to reaching 100 appearances until I saw the statistics at the start of the season.

Godman will partner newly-announced Scotland skipper Mike Blair at half-back, while Chris Paterson takes to the field at full-back. Meanwhile, Ben Cairns resumes competitive action in France after a two-month absence with a knee ligament problem an partners Nick De Luca in the centre. The Scotland centre, 23, suffered the knock during Edinburgh's pre-season victory against London Wasps in August and has subsequently missed six matches.

But he has successfully overcome the injury in time to be involved for the trip to Castres. Cairns said, "I'm delighted to be back in. I'm very happy with the way my rehab has gone and I would like to thank the physios and medical team at Edinburgh.

"The injury has healed up pretty well and I've taken part in the last few sessions with the boys. Now I'm feeling good and looking to make an impact in France." Club captain Simon Cross has been named amongst the replacements after recovering from a long-term rib injury.

Castres: Thomas Bouquié, Lionel Mazars, Steve Kefu, Philip Christophers, Rafael Carballo, Cameron McIntyre, Kevin Senio, Carl Hoeft, Romain Terrain, Luc Ducalcon, Lionel Nallet, Steve Malonga, Rodrigo Capo Ortega, Darron Nell

Replacements: Akvsenti Giorgadze, Yannick Forestier, Iosefa Tekori, Leiataua Tomiki, Sébastien Tillous Borde, Romain Teulet, Anthony Lagardere

Edinburgh: Chris Paterson, Mark Robertson, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Simon Webster, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain), Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Jim Hamilton, Scott Newlands, Alan MacDonald, Allister Hogg

Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Gavin Kerr, Ben Gissing, Simon Cross, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, John Houston