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Scotland stars return for Edinburgh ahead of Glasgow rematch
Edinburgh will welcome back Scotland quartet Blair Kinghorn, Mark Bennett, Sam Skinner and Luke Crosbie for tomorrow night’s 1872 Cup decider against Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield.
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The team selection includes a further three changes to the side that faced the Warriors in last weekend’s opening leg as Wes Goosen (wing) – who also returns from injury – Henry Pyrgos (scrumhalf) and Boan Venter (loosehead) are all handed starts for the 150th-anniversary derby.
Trailing by six points on aggregate following the opening leg – which saw Glasgow claim a 16-10 win at Scotstoun – a victory by six points or more would see the capital side retain the 1872 Cup, while leapfrogging their age-old rivals in the URC standings.
Ahead of the fixture, head coach Mike Blair, said: “This is a hugely exciting fixture for all connected to the club – it’s set to be a special derby at BT Murrayfield and we hope to put in a performance that matches the significance of the 150th-anniversary fixture.
“We’re delighted to welcome back a number of experienced players from injury for this match-up and they’ll be relishing the chance to be back out there representing the city in a game that means so much to us and our supporters.
“We were obviously disappointed with the end result in the opening leg however we showed a real resilience to stay in the match. That grit and determination will be needed once again as we go up against a very strong Glasgow side.
“Our supporters will have a huge role to play on Friday night. We’ll need their backing from first minute to last in what is a huge game for the club.”
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Argentine star Emiliano Boffelli reverts to fullback with Goosen returning on the wing alongside British and Irish Lion flyer Duhan van der Merwe.
With Bennett back in the line-up at outside centre, James Lang switches to inside centre, while Kinghorn and Pyrgos form a new halfback pairing.
Hooker Tom Cruse packs down alongside prop Venter and WP Nel up front as experienced Scotland locks Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner complete the tight five.
The return of Crosbie at openside is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged back-row as Jamie Richie (blindside) and Viliame Mata (number 8) once again start.
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On the bench, scrumhalf Charlie Shiel could make his 50th appearance for the club if called upon, while centre Cammy Hutchison returns to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Edinburgh:
15. Emiliano Boffelli (25)
14. Wes Goosen (6)
13. Mark Bennett (77)
12. James Lang (29)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (71)
10. Blair Kinghorn (126)
9. Henry Pyrgos (78)
1. Boan Venter (37)
2. Tom Cruse (3)
3. WP Nel (181)
4. Sam Skinner (5)
5. Grant Gilchrist (183) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (92) CO-CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie (79)
8. Viliame Mata (105)
Replacements
16. Paddy Harrison (9)
17. Pierre Schoeman (92)
18. Angus Williams (18)
19. Marshall Sykes (32)
20. Connor Boyle (26)
21. Charlie Shiel (49)
22. Charlie Savala (21)
23. Cammy Hutchison (14)
Unavailable: Dave Cherry, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, Henry Immelman, Adam McBurney, Stuart McInally, Cammy Scott, Hamish Watson.
– with Edinburgh Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Forget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
21 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
14 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
14 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
21 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
21 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
14 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
21 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
14 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
14 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
21 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
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