Connacht veteran Matt Mostyn has confirmed his intention to retire from the game at the end of the current season. The 33-year old, who won over 100 caps for the province, will call time on a career spanning 12 years.
Mostyn, currently in his second spell with Connacht, has set a target of Heineken Cup qualification before he hangs up his boots.
"To get into the Heineken Cup has always been on the agenda while I've been with Connacht and if I could help them achieve that in my last few games I'd be absolutely delighted."
Mostyn said it was a difficult decision to call it a day but he felt it was the correct call at this time.
"Every player knows when their time comes to call it a day. Although I'm still enjoying my rugby I just feel that my body is telling me I've had enough and it's time to move onto the next stage of my life."
Mostyn's initial career was with New South Wales Waratahs but it really took off when Warren Gatland brought him to Connacht from French side Begles Bordeaux in 1999.
He made his full Irish debut against Australia and the highlight of his international career was a hat-trick of tries against Argentina.
Connacht will face an Edinburgh side boosted by the return of Scotland captain Mike Blair and fellow international Allister Hogg in their Magner's Celtic League clash in Murrayfield on Friday.
Coach Andy Robinson also has Simon Webster, Hugo Southwell and Craig Smith back in his ranks but prop Allan Jacobsen and hooker Ross Ford are ruled out with groin and ankle injuries respectively.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome back the Scotland contingent immediately after the 6 Nations," Robinson said today.
"We realise that Connacht is going to be a difficult test and, after assessing their recent performances, we are under no illusions they will prove to be tough opponents.
Connacht squad:L Bibo, A Browne, M Deane, T Donnelly, G Duffy, A Dunne, A Farley, A Flavin, J Fogarty, D Gannon, R Loughney, J Lyne, K Matthews, M McCarthy, C McPhillips, J Merrigan, R Morris, M Mostyn, J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, T Nathan, C Rigney, B Wilkinson, A Wynne.
Not considered due to injury:J Hearty (hip), R Ofisa (arm), M Swift (kidney), O Treviranus (leg).
Edinburgh XV: Hugo Southwell; Simon Webster, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, John Houston; Phil Godman, Mike Blair; Gavin Kerr, Andrew Kelly, Craig Smith; Craig Hamilton Ben Gissing; Allister Hogg (captain), Ross Rennie, David Callam
Replacements:Augusto Allori, Steve Lawrie, Simon Cross, Matt Mustchin, Ben Meyer, Calum MacRae, Andrew Turnbull.
