​Scotland stars return for Munster trip

• 17 February 2022
• News

Edinburgh Rugby welcome back a number of Scotland internationalists to the starting line-up for tomorrow night’s United Rugby Championship clash against Munster at Thomond Park (Friday 18 February, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports

Mark Bennett (centre), Blair Kinghorn (stand-off), Ben Vellacott (scrum-half) and Nick Haining (back-row) return from Scotland camp to start the Round 12 match-up in Limerick in the only changes to the capital side’s starting XV.

Head Coach Mike Blair, said: “It’s great we’re able to welcome back some of our Scotland guys back into the squad. They bring added strength to a group that did some good things against Leinster last time out.

“While it’s great to have experienced internationalists back involved, this period is also brilliant for our younger players. They can show what they can do and see what it takes to win at this level. This is excellent for their development, while at the same time, we are able to put out a team that is capable of winning these games.

“We are expecting a real battle out there. Part of the disappointment of the Leinster game was around our physicality. There is no better place to go than Thomond Park to see if we have learned the lessons from the week before. We can’t wait for the challenge."

An unchanged back-three sees Henry Immelman continue at full-back with Argentine internationals Emiliano Boffelli – a try-scorer in the loss to Leinster – and Ramiro Moyano selected on opposite wings.

Bennett – who skippers the side for the first time in his Edinburgh career – links up with fellow Scotland international centre James Lang in midfield, while a fresh half-back pairing sees stand-off Kinghorn and scrum-half Vellacott make their first start together since facing London Irish in early January.

Hooker Adam McBurney once again packs down alongside props Boan Venter and Lee-Roy Atalifo, as locks Glen Young and Marshall Sykes complete the tight-five.

In the back-row, Ben Muncaster switches to number 8 with Haining returning at blindside flanker, while Connor Boyle continues at openside following last weekend’s abrasive performance against Leinster.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Munster at Thomond Park in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship
Friday 18 February (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (10)

14. Ramiro Moyano (6)
13. Mark Bennett (62) CAPTAIN
12. James Lang (10)
11. Emiliano Boffelli (8)

10. Blair Kinghorn (109) VICE-CAPTAIN
9. Ben Vellacott (11)

1. Boan Venter (19)
2. Adam McBurney (4) VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Lee-Roy Atalifo (18)
4. Marshall Sykes (17)
5. Glen Young (4)
6. Nick Haining (24)
7. Connor Boyle (14)
8. Ben Muncaster (6)

Replacements:

16. Dave Cherry (48)
17. Sam Grahamslaw (3)
18. Jake Armstrong (1)
19. Pierce Phillips (4)
20. Mesulame Kunavula (18)
21. Henry Pyrgos (60)
22. Charlie Savala (8)
23. Chris Dean (112)

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin, Luke Crosbie, Damien Hoyland, Cammy Hutchison, James Johnstone, Viliame Mata, Kwagga van Niekerk, Freddie Owsley, Jamie Ritchie, Ben Toolis, Jaco van der Walt

International selection: Magnus Bradbury, Darcy Graham, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson, Stuart McInally, WP Nel, Pierre Schoeman, Hamish Watson