Internationalists back for Munster

The club’s biggest crowd of season awaits the return of Pierre Schoeman (loosehead), Grant Gilchrist (lock), Jamie Ritchie (back-row), Viliame Mata (number 8), Blair Kinghorn (stand-off), Mark Bennett (outside centre), Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham (both wing) all return to reinforce Edinburgh Rugby’s starting XV.

The capital side make four further changes to the side that faced Benetton in Round 8 as academy hooker Paddy Harrison Luan de Bruin (tighthead), Ben Vellacott (scrum-half) and Chris Dean (centre) all get the nod for the Friday night clash.

Wes Goosen moves to full-back – with Henry Immelman missing out through injury – while there is a place on the bench for recently signed hooker, Tom Cruse, who is in line to make his Edinburgh Rugby debut.

The capital club has called on its fans to help pay tribute to the great Doddie Weir OBE, who last weekend tragically lost his battle with MND, with supporters encouraged to wear tartan garments to bring colour to the match, where a moment’s applause will be held in his memory before kick-off.

Head Coach Mike Blair said: “First and foremost, this week has been really tough for all connected to Scottish rugby.

“Doddie was such a huge figure and the enormity of what he managed to achieve to raise both awareness and money in the fight against MND is unmeasurable – the thoughts of all of us at Edinburgh Rugby go out to his family, friends and former teammates.

“As a squad, we’ve spoken a lot about Doddie this week and what he stood for. It’s brilliant we’re able to pay tribute to a real icon of Scottish rugby tomorrow night and it will be an emotional moment as we celebrate his life pre-match.

“On the match, we’re delighted to welcome back a number of our internationalists for what is a really tough match-up, with one of the league’s most competitive sides.

“Munster are a quality outfit but we’re up for the challenge and excited to be back at DAM Health Stadium in front of our home support, who will no doubt play their part in creating an electric atmosphere.”

An electric back-three unit sees full-back Goosen and Scotland wing duo Graham and Van der Merwe combine for the first time.

Bennett and club centurion Dean link up in midfield while Vellacott and Kinghorn return at half-back.

Hooker Harrison packs down alongside props Schoeman and De Bruin as Jamie Hodgson and club co-captain Gilchrist complete the tight-five.

Luke Crosbie retains his place at openside flanker with Scotland skipper Ritchie and Fijian star Mata both returning to the capital back-row.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Munster at DAM Health Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship

Friday 2 December (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Viaplay

15. Wes Goosen (3)

14. Darcy Graham (55)
13. Mark Bennett (75)
12. Chris Dean (128)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (68)

10. Blair Kinghorn (123)
9. Ben Vellacott (25)

1. Pierre Schoeman (88)
2. Patrick Harrison (7)
3. Luan de Bruin (14)
4. Jamie Hodgson (45)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (179)
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN (88)
7. Luke Crosbie (76)
8. Viliame Mata (101)

Replacements

16. Tom Cruse*
17. Boan Venter (33)
18. WP Nel (176)
19. Marshall Sykes (28)
20. Nick Haining (30)
21. Charlie Shiel (48)
22. Jaco van der Walt (91)
23. James Lang (25)

Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli, Dave Cherry, Cammy Hutchison, Henry Immelman, Adam McBurney, Stuart McInally, Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson.

*Edinburgh Rugby debut