Ashman hits 50 for Leinster showdown

Ashman will pack down in the front-row alongside D’arcy Rae, who returns from a calf injury to reclaim the tighthead berth. Paul Hill, who started in Cape Town last weekend, is named on the bench.

The only other change sees number 8 Ben Muncaster come into the back-row after completing return to play protocols, recovering from the concussion that kept him out of last weekend’s BKT United Rugby Championship defeat to DHL Stormers.

Muncaster replaces club captain Magnus Bradbury, who misses out with an ankle injury. Double-centurion Grant Gilchrist captains the side.

Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We go to the Aviva Stadium with nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is a group of players who believe in what they’re doing, and we’re going out there to have a real go at one of the best sides in Europe.

“We represent the Scottish capital – our supporters who have made the trip to Dublin and those watching back home – and that means a great deal to all of us. We’re going to treat this for exactly what it is: a great opportunity to make history for this great club.”

Piers O’Conor continues at full-back after an eye-catching display at 15 in Cape Town. British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham and Malelili Satala – who scored his first try for the club against Leinster at the RDS in January – line up on the wings.

James Lang, who grabbed a 95-metre interception try in Cape Town, partners Matt Currie in the midfield once again. The half-back combination of Charlie Shiel and Ross Thompson is also retained.

In the engine room, Gilchrist and Marshall Sykes continue their second-row partnership. Muncaster anchors a back-row that sees Liam McConnell at selected blindside flanker and Dylan Richardson at openside.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16
Sunday 5 April (kick-off 5.30pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Piers O’Conor (16)

14. Darcy Graham (93)
13. Matt Currie (71)
12. James Lang (89)
11. Malelili Satala (6)

10. Ross Thompson (40)
9. Charlie Shiel (90)

1. Pierre Schoeman (146)
2. Ewan Ashman (49)
3. D’arcy Rae (34)
4. Marshall Sykes (93)
5. Grant Gilchrist (229) CAPTAIN
6. Liam McConnell (20)
7. Dylan Richardson (11)
8. Ben Muncaster (57)

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (4)
17. Boan Venter (103)
18. Paul Hill (30)
19. Glen Young (65)
20. Freddy Douglas (20)
21. Ben Vellacott (92)
22. Mosese Tuipulotu (25)
23. Jack Brown (10)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Conor McAlpine (hamstring), Wes Goosen (hand), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Harry Paterson (quad), Magnus Bradbury (ankle).