Seven changes for Munster trip

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Edinburgh's Ben Vellacott (left) and Magnus Bradbury during a BKT United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh Rugby and Leinster at the Hive Stadium, on September 20, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

The capital side head to Cork for their first away match against the men in red since the 2021/22 season, boosted by the return of club centurion Magnus Bradbury to the back row.

Club co-captain Ben Vellacott starts at scrum-half to skipper the side as one of two personnel changes in the capital back-line.

On the match, Everitt said: “We’re excited about the challenge, but we know it won’t be easy to get a result away against Munster, whether they’re in Cork or Limerick they’re strong at home.

“We’ve had a good week at training, and we’re ready to bounce back.”

The only change in the back-three sees Matt Currie shift from midfield to the wing, where he will join Ross McCann and full-back Wes Goosen.

Currie’s move out wide sees James Lang return to the capital starting line-up at outside centre, partnering Mosese Tuipulotu in the midfield.

Captain Vellacott joins stand-off Ross Thompson in the halves, the pair starting together for the first time since October’s trip to Ospreys.

Ewan Ashman has been released from Scotland camp for the trip to Munster, starting at hooker alongside props Boan Venter (loosehead) and Paul Hill (tighthead).

At lock, Marshall Sykes starts alongside Sam Skinner, the latter of whom being promoted from the replacements last time out.

Number-eight Bradbury returns following his red card against Black Lion and forms a new-look back-row alongside flankers Luke Crosbie and Ben Muncaster (blindside and openside respectively.)

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Munster at Virgin Media Park (Friday 28 February, 7.35pm kick-off) – live on PremierSports

15. Wes Goosen

14. Matt Currie
13. James Lang
12. Mosese Tuipulotu
11. Ross McCann

10. Ross Thompson
9. Ben Vellacott CAPTAIN

1. Boan Venter
2. Ewan Ashman
3. Paul Hill
4. Marshall Sykes
5. Sam Skinner
6. Luke Crosbie
7. Ben Muncaster
8. Magnus Bradbury

Replacements

16. Paddy Harrison
17. Robin Hislop
18. D’arcy Rae
19. Glen Young
20. Hamish Watson
21. Ali Price
22. Cammy Scott
23. Mark Bennett

Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring), Ben Healy (hip), Connor Boyle (knee), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Harry Paterson (concussion), Lewis Wells (ankle).

International duty: Dave Cherry, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe.