Muncaster to hit 50 against Ospreys

The dynamic back-row – who returns from an ankle injury – brings up a half-century of appearances for his boyhood club at openside flanker.

Muncaster, 24, forms a young and exciting back-row alongside recent Scotland debutant Liam McConnell (blindside flanker) and number 8 Tom Currie, both of whom are 21.

Edinburgh hand first home starts to two promising players: hooker Harri Morris, 24 – who recently made his Scotland debut against the USA – and Edinburgh Rugby academy centre Findlay Thomson, 21.

Head Coach Sean Everitt also welcomes the return of several key Scotland internationals following the Autumn Tests.

The returning Test players – Pierre Schoeman, Grant Gilchrist, Duhan van der Merwe, Dylan Richardson, Marshall Sykes, and Magnus Bradbury – all feature in the 23 to create a matchday squad with an exciting blend of youth and experience for only Edinburgh’s second home fixture this season.

On the selection, Everitt said: “There is a good balance between youth and experience for the squad for this weekend, with a few of our younger guys getting an opportunity to shine in front of a big home crowd alongside our more experienced campaigners.

“Ospreys are a side that fight for everything, so we’ll need to bring a huge amount of energy to the game on Saturday night. Someone that always does that for us is Ben Muncaster, and I’m excited to see him run out for his 50^th appearance for the club.”

Wes Goosen continues to be ever-present at fullback, starting in the back-three alongside Scotland’s record try scorer, Duhan van der Merwe, and youngster Lewis Wells, who scored last time out against Cardiff.

Everitt makes one change in the centres, with academy centre Thomson replacing the injured James Lang at inside centre, starting alongside Piers O’Conor.

Ross Thompson makes his first start of the season at stand-off, partnering scrum-half Ben Vellacott, who returns to the side after missing out on Cardiff due to the birth of his child.

In the pack, hooker Morris makes his first Hive Stadium start alongside seasoned campaigners Paul Hill (tighthead prop) and Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) in the front row.

Lock Callum Hunter-Hill earns his first start since returning to the club in the summer, combining with double centurion Grant Gilchrist, who skippers the side.

On the bench, tighthead prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (19) could make his professional debut, while scrum-half Conor McAlpine (21) is set for his first minutes at home for the capital club.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ospreys at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 29 November (kick-off 5.30pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (59)

14. Lewis Wells (3)
13. Piers O’Conor (4)
12. Findlay Thomson (1)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (106)

10. Ross Thompson (28)
9. Ben Vellacott (78)

1. Pierre Schoeman (138)
2. Harri Morris (5)
3. Paul Hill (18)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (21)
5. Grant Gilchrist (223) CAPTAIN
6. Liam McConnell (9)
7. Ben Muncaster (49)
8. Tom Currie (2)

Replacements 

16. Dylan Richardson (3)
17. Boan Venter (93)
18. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty*
19. Marshall Sykes (87)
20. Magnus Bradbury (138)
21. Conor McAlpine (2)
22. Cammy Scott (20)
23. Harry Paterson (19)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Matt Currie (head), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), James Lang (calf), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Darcy Graham (rest), Ewan Ashman (rest)

*Edinburgh Rugby debut