National team head coach Frank Hadden is considering playing Paterson at stand-off during the World Cup, where Scotland will be seeking a drastic improvement on their worrying RBS 6 Nations performance.

Edinburgh coach Lynn Howells has in turn indicated he will listen to any requests from Hadden to give Paterson game time in that role.

However Edinburgh currently consider Paterson to be of greater use to them at full-back and that will be where he starts the Magners League clash against Newport Gwent Dragons at Murrayfield.

A back spasm forced Paterson out of Edinburghs match against Borders a fortnight ago, and the side struggled in his absence, losing to a side the Scottish Rugby Union later announced would be disbanded at the end of the season.

With Paterson returning, and replacing Allister Hogg as captain, Ben Cairns moves to the left wing and it will be Patersons Scotland colleague Phil Godman who occupies the stand-off role.

Howells said: The Dragons will be coming to Murrayfield full of confidence after their European Challenge Cup victory over Brive last week.

Our skills and attitude will have to be at an optimum if we are going to get a result.