News

Paterson prefers Magners to Premiership

Wednesday 16th July 2008

No fun: Chris Paterson isn't a fan of the Guinness Premiership

Scotland record-breaker Chris Paterson believes he will be involved in more attractive rugby this season after swapping Gloucester for Edinburgh.

The versatile back returned to the Scottish capital this summer after a year in the Guinness Premiership.

And he is looking forward to the Magners League kick-off against European champions Munster on September 5 after finding the English top flight too negative.

"I genuinely think the Magners League is better, certainly for my game and the game Edinburgh play," said Paterson, who became Scotland's record cap-holder and points scorer last month.

"The Premiership is physically dominated and there are a lot of slower games and relegation sometimes strangles the spectacle.

"You get two or three great games at the top end of the league undoubtedly, but towards the bottom there are tough, tough games.

"The threat of relegation and the amount of money you could lose in relegation sometimes strangles it.

"The Magners League is more positive, more attacking and certainly better to watch."

Paterson left Edinburgh amid uncertainty over the club's future but they were revived after the SRU reassumed control and installed Andy Robinson as head coach.

"I'm delighted to be home," the 30-year-old Paterson told BBC Scotland.

"This is where I want to play, this is where I can get the best out of me.

"On the field and off the field it has changed massively in 12 months but I never really felt as if I left. It's a great place to be.

"It wasn't a huge disaster at Gloucester but the game time didn't suit me or Gloucester. That's all in the past and I'm looking forward to a fast start to the season."