Three pack changes for rescheduled derby

• 15 January 2021
• News

Head Coach Richard Cockerill has made three injury-influenced changes to the starting Edinburgh Rugby side named for tomorrow’s rescheduled 1872 Cup derby against Glasgow Warriors (16 January, kick-off 5.15pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Edinburgh edged the previous meeting between the sides 10-7 after the turn of the New Year at BT Murrayfield Stadium, with tomorrow’s return fixture vital for Guinness PRO14 points alongside the prospect of keeping the coveted 1872 Cup in the east of Scotland.

Forward duo David Cherry (hooker) and Magnus Bradbury (back-row) are promoted from the bench into the side named for last week’s called-off contest in place of Stuart McInally (neck strain) and Jamie Ritchie (head) who were injured (separately) in training this week. Mike Willemse and Luke Crosbie take the vacated places on the bench.

The postponement has, however, afforded lock Ben Toolis sufficient time to recover and return from injury and start alongside fellow Scotland internationalist Grant Gilchrist, who was set for a return from a three-month lay-off last weekend.

The pack is completed by Rory Sutherland and Simon Berghan, who join Cherry in the front-row, while Viliame Mata (number 8) and openside Hamish Watson accompany Bradbury in the loose forwards.

The unaltered back line sees full-back Blair Kinghorn combine with the reselected wings Eroni Sau and Jack Blain, with centres Mark Bennett and Chris Dean, and half-backs Jaco van der Walt and Nic Groom, also recalled.

Once more popular tighthead prop WP Nel awaits the opportunity to take the field and earn his 150^th appearance for the club from the bench.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Richard Cockerill, said: “It was frustrating for everyone involved not to have the gamed played last weekend, but the safety of the players was paramount, and the right decision was made.

“Our last match remains the 10-7 win over Glasgow at home last month and we’ve had another week to prepare and work on elements we’re looking to improve, as have the Warriors.

“It’s disappointing to lose a couple of players since we last named the team but it’ll be good to see Gilcho [Grant Gilchrist] and Ben [Toolis] make their comeback as both players will bring a lot of experience and quality.

“As I said last time round, these derby matches mean a lot to us. That message and our motivation hasn’t changed, and we’ll be going out there to find a way to win for league points and our supporters.”

Edinburgh team to play Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in the Guinness PRO14 (1872 Cup)

Saturday 16 January (kick-off 5.15pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Blair Kinghorn (94)

14. Jack Blain (7)

13. Mark Bennett (46)

12. Chris Dean (101)

11. Eroni Sau (15)

10. Jaco van der Walt (65)

9. Nic Groom CO-CAPTAIN (20)

1. Rory Sutherland (89)

2. David Cherry (29)

3. Simon Berghan (87)

4. Ben Toolis (126)

5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (153)

6. Magnus Bradbury (87)

7. Hamish Watson (116)

8. Viliame Mata (79)

Substitutes:

16. Mike Willemse (30)

17. Pierre Schoeman (54)

18. WP Nel (149)

19. Jamie Hodgson (14)

20. Luke Crosbie (46)

21. Henry Pyrgos (42)

22. Nathan Chamberlain (6)

23. James Johnstone (58)

Unavailable through injury: Lewis Carmichael, Andrew Davidson, Dan Gamble, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, Murray McCallum, Stuart McInally, Fraser McKenzie, Dan Nutton, Jamie Ritchie, Charlie Savala, George Taylor, Duhan van der Merwe.