Monarchs call on Leon

Edinburgh will be without number one Dan Thompson when they travel to Shielfield Park on Saturday.

Thompson’s Polish club Lodz have insisted on his presence, although the winter signing from Glasgow will be available for Friday night’s season-opener between the sides at Armadale before flying to Europe.

In his place Edinburgh have booked former Bandits’ skipper Leon Flint, a rider who has more laps under his belt around Shielfield Park than anyone else.

Edinburgh promoter John Campbell said: “Monarchs exhausted all avenues to ensure Dan lined up at Berwick on Saturday but to no avail.”