Edinburgh have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s URC clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, with Scotland internationals Duhan van der Merwe, Freddy Douglas and Magnus Bradbury released back to their national squad.
Winger Malelili Satala comes in for Darcy Graham, who remains with Scotland, while the tight-five sees a fresh look. Props Boan Venter and Paul Hill, academy hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, and lock Callum Hunter-Hill all start, joining Scotland regulars Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’arcy Rae and Grant Gilchrist.
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In the back row, Ben Muncaster replaces the injured Liam McConnell, sidelined with a rib injury sustained against the Vodacom Bulls last weekend.
Head Coach Sean Everitt said:
“Going away to Leinster is one of the toughest tests in the URC, but it’s a challenge we’re ready to embrace – we’re going over there to have a real crack at it. Magnus [Bradbury] resumes the captaincy and his experience in these big away fixtures is invaluable for the group. We know exactly what we are capable of when we put it all together. The key for us this week is consistency; we need a complete 80-minute performance to get the result we want.”
Harry Paterson continues at full-back, anchoring a dynamic back three alongside Van der Merwe and Satala. Wes Goosen starts at outside-centre, renewing his partnership with James Lang, while the half-back pairing of Ross Thompson and Ben Vellacott remains unchanged.
The Edinburgh front row is all-new with Venter, Blyth-Lafferty and Hill, while Glen Young links with Hunter-Hill in the second row. The back row is completed by Scotland internationals Muncaster, Douglas and Bradbury.
Edinburgh Rugby XV vs Leinster – URC
Saturday 31 January, 5.30pm – Live on Premier Sports
Starting XV
15. Harry Paterson
14. Malelili Satala
13. Wes Goosen
12. James Lang
11. Duhan van der Merwe
- Ross Thompson
- Ben Vellacott
- Boan Venter
- Jerry Blyth-Lafferty
- Paul Hill
- Callum Hunter-Hill
- Glen Young
- Ben Muncaster
- Freddy Douglas
- Magnus Bradbury (C)
Replacements
16. Harri Morris
17. Mikey Jones
18. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
19. Tom Dodd
20. Connor Boyle
21. Charlie Shiel
22. Cammy Scott
23. Piers O’Conor
