THE DRAGONS are starting life without Paul Turner and Edinburgh begin the post-Rob Moffatt era at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

Moffatt was sacked by the side from the Scottish capital at the end of January after a disappointing Heineken Cup campaign and an under-par start to the Magners League season.

Australian Nick Scrivener, who had been assistant coach since August 2009, has been handed the reigns and must do without six players who are on Scotland duty.

Nick De Luca, Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Mike Blair and Ross Rennie are in the 22 for the game against Wales while Scott MacLeod was summoned as precautionary cover for Richie Gray, who has been suffering from a stomach bug.

However, Edinburgh are still able to call on points machine full-back Chris Paterson, scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and Geoff Cross, who have been released by national coach Andy Robinson.

Scrivener is looking for his senior players to take command at the Parade.

He said: “The big focus this week has been tightening up all areas of our game, and letting it be known that we’re looking to the players, and especially our leaders, to take charge at crucial times on the field and make sure everyone knows what we’re doing, why and when.”

Seventh-placed Edinburgh need to string together a number of wins if they are to stand any chance of forcing their way into the Magners League play-offs.

“It’s a crucial time in the season for us, and the players need to remember that our destiny is very much in our own hands,” said Scrivener.

“Our away form this season has not been good, but we now have a fantastic opportunity to confront that head on and put down a marker against the Dragons.”