Graham and Ashman return for Toulon opener

Edinburgh Rugby welcome the return of British & Irish Lions duo Darcy Graham and Ewan Ashman for this Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup home opener against RC Toulon at Hive Stadium (7 December, kick-off 5.30pm) – live on Premier Sports.

The capital club kick off their European campaign with a titanic clash against the three-time Champions, and are boosted by the return of star men Graham and Ashman, who start on the wing and at hooker respectively, following a week of rest after the Quilter Nations Series.

The returning pair are two of eight personnel changes in the starting XV, as Sean Everitt’s men prepare for a rematch against the Top 14 outfit, having won home and away fixtures against the Frenchmen in the 2018/19 campaign.

In the pack, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, is handed his first start for the club at tighthead prop having debuted from the bench last time out against Ospreys.

Marshall Sykes starts at lock, while Dylan Richardson (openside) and club captain Magnus Bradbury (number 8) both return to the back-row.

In the backs, Cammy Scott gets the nod at stand-off, while Harry Paterson comes into the side for his first start of the season at full-back.

Paterson’s inclusion means the ever-present Wes Goosen shifts to outside-centre.

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On the match, Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We are incredibly excited to be back competing in the Investec Champions Cup. Being back at the top table of European rugby truly brings out the best in this squad, and you can feel the energy and motivation around the camp.

“We’ve had a great week of training and preparation, and the players are ready and highly motivated for Sunday’s challenge. European nights under the lights are always special, and we know that Hive Stadium will be absolutely jumping for kick-off. We need that atmosphere, and we want our supporters to be the 16th man pushing us on.”

Paterson starts at full-back, alongside Scotland’s top try-scorers Graham and Duhan van der Merwe.

In the midfield, academy centre Findlay Thomson, 21 – named Player of the Match against Ospreys – starts alongside Goosen, as scrum-half Ben Vellacott and Scott combine at half-back.

Blyth-Lafferty forms the front-row with Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman and Ashman. Sykes joins Grant Gilchrist in the engine room.

Liam McConnell, 21, continues at blindside flanker after his impressive start to the season.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face RC Toulon at Hive Stadium in the Investec Champions Cup
Sunday 7 December, kick-off 5.30pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Harry Paterson (20)

14. Darcy Graham (85)
13. Wes Goosen (60)
12. Findlay Thomson (2)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (107)

10. Cammy Scott (21)
9. Ben Vellacott (79)

1. Pierre Schoeman (139)
2. Ewan Ashman (42)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (1)
4. Marshall Sykes (88)
5. Grant Gilchrist (224)
6. Liam McConnell (10)
7. Dylan Richardson (4)
8. Magnus Bradbury (139) CAPTAIN

Replacements

16. Harri Morris (6)
17. Boan Venter (94)
18. Paul Hill (19)
19. Glen Young (52)
20. Freddy Douglas (9)
21. Charlie Shiel (78)
22. James Lang (79)
23. Piers O’Conor (5)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Matt Currie (head), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Tom Currie (knee), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Ben Muncaster (knee).