Paterson relishing return north

Paterson spent one season in the Premiership

Edinburgh's Chris Paterson believes the brand of rugby played in the Magners League is more attractive than that in England's Premiership.

Paterson returned to the Magners League this summer after spending one season in England with Gloucester.

"The Magners League is more positive, more attacking and, as a spectator, certainly better to watch," he said.

"I genuinely think the Magners League is better, for my game and the game Edinburgh play."

Paterson only made six starts for Gloucester during his stay in England, with another 11 appearances off the bench.

Edinburgh kick-off their Magners League campaign against European champions Munster on 5 September.

And Paterson is looking forward to the opening fixture after finding club rugby south of the border too negative.

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

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"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, which is made up of the top teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales, does not have relegation.

Paterson, who became Scotland's record cap-holder and points scorer last month, left Edinburgh in July 2007 amid uncertainty over the club's future.

But they were revived after the Scottish Rugby Union 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."