Van der Merwe returns for Champions Cup clash with Gloucester

The prolific winger returns from a hip injury and is one of three changes to the starting XV that secured a hard-fought victory in Treviso last weekend.

James Whitcombe makes his second start of the season at loosehead prop, while impressive young back-row Liam McConnell returns to the starting side after featuring from the bench at Stadio Monigo.

Ahead of the match, Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “There is nothing quite like being back under the Friday night lights at Hive Stadium. European games are incredibly special; they bring a different level of intensity and prestige that our players and fans thrive on.

“The atmosphere during the win over RC Toulon last month was electric – the stadium was jumping – and we want to see that same level of passionate support again this Friday.

“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead; we are facing a very strong Gloucester team. We’ll need another massive, disciplined 80-minute performance to get the result we’re looking for.”

Van der Merwe’s return sees Wes Goosen return to full-back, while Scotland star Darcy Graham – fresh from scoring an all-effort solo try against Benetton – retains his place on the opposite wing.

There is continuity in the spine of the team. Centres James Lang and Matt Currie continue their partnership in the midfield after an impressive showing in Italy, while the half-back pairing of Ross Thompson and scrum-half Ben Vellacott remains unchanged.

The front row features Scottish youth at its core, as hooker Harri Morris (24) and tighthead prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (19) earn consecutive starts alongside Whitcombe.

In the second row, Callum Hunter-Hill once again steps up in the absence of the injured Grant Gilchrist, partnering Glen Young, who has become a fixture in the engine room following a string of powerhouse performances.

In the back-row, club captain Magnus Bradbury leads from number 8, flanked by McConnell and Freddy Douglas (20), who retains his spot at openside after a Player of the Match performance last weekend.

The replacements bench is bolstered by the return of key international experience and a potential debutant. British & Irish Lion hooker Ewan Ashman has completed HIA protocols to be selected, while back-row Ben Muncaster is in the matchday 23 after recovering from a knee injury.

The night could also prove to be a landmark occasion for academy lock Euan McVie. If called upon from the bench, McVie, 21, will make his professional debut, following in the footsteps of his father, Malcolm McVie (#913), who represented Edinburgh District and Edinburgh Accies in the early 1990s.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Gloucester at Hive Stadium in the Investec Champions Cup
Friday 9 January (kick-off 8pm) – live on Premier Sports

15.⁠ ⁠Wes Goosen (65)

14.⁠ ⁠Darcy Graham (89)
13.⁠ ⁠Matt Currie (68)
12.⁠ ⁠James Lang (83)
11.⁠ ⁠Duhan van der Merwe (109)

10.⁠ ⁠Ross Thompson (32)
9.⁠ ⁠Ben Vellacott (84)

1.⁠ ⁠James Whitcombe (2)
2.⁠ ⁠Harri Morris (11)
3.⁠ ⁠Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (6)
4.⁠ ⁠Callum Hunter-Hill (26)
5.⁠ ⁠Glen Young (57)
6.⁠ ⁠Liam McConnell (15)
7.⁠ ⁠Freddy Douglas (14)
8.⁠ ⁠Magnus Bradbury (143) CAPTAIN

Replacements

16.⁠ ⁠Ewan Ashman (45)
17.⁠ ⁠Pierre Schoeman (143)
18.⁠ ⁠Paul Hill (24)
19.⁠ ⁠Euan McVie*
20.⁠ ⁠Tom Dodd (17)
21.⁠ ⁠Ben Muncaster (50)
22.⁠ ⁠Charlie Shiel (82)
23.⁠ ⁠Piers O’Conor (9)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Tom Currie (knee), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Marshall Sykes (arm), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Findlay Thomson (hand), Boan Venter (neck), Dylan Richardson (ribs), Grant Gilchrist (quad), Conor McAlpine (hamstring)

*Edinburgh Rugby debut