Harrison and Muncaster start for Edinburgh against Stormers

Young duo of Patrick Harrison (hooker) and Ben Muncaster (back-row) both come into the starting lineup as Edinburgh Rugby welcome DHL Stormers to Hive Stadium tomorrow evening (12 October, kick-off 5.15pm) – live on PremierSports.

The pair of forwards are two of six changes made to the starting XV that lost last weekend in Johannesburg, as Edinburgh search for their first BKT United Rugby Championship win of the season. 

Harrison and Muncaster impressed in displays from the bench against the Lions, bringing energy to the side, with both players scoring tries in defeat. Muncaster – who recovered from an injury sustained against Leinster – makes his first start for the club at openside flanker.

On the selection, Everitt added: “We know that last week’s performance was unacceptable, but we also know what went wrong for us.

“The DHL Stormers bring similar challenges to the Lions and Bulls, being hugely physical and fast in transition, but we know if we perform at our best, we’ll be able to get a result.”

Duhan van der Merwe returns to the starting side, with Scotland teammate Darcy Graham and fullback Wes Goosen again completing the back three.

Everitt names an unchanged midfield partnership, with inside-centre Matt Scott linking up with Mosese Tuipulotu.  

The halfback partnership sees two changes, with Ali Price (scrum-half) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) returning to the starting lineup.

Scotland-cap Harrison packs down in the front row with Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Paul Hill (tighthead), the pair starting for the fourth game in a row.

Jamie Hodgson starts his first match of the season having featured three times from the replacements, partnering double-centurion Grant Gilchrist in the second-row.

Muncaster starts in the seven jersey and is joined in the back-row by Scotland duo Jamie Ritchie (blindside flanker) and Magnus Bradbury (number eight).

In the replacements, Harri Morris (hooker), Luke Crosbie (back-row), and Cammy Scott (fly-half) are all potentially in line for their first involvements of the 2024/25 season.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at Hive Stadium (Saturday 12 October, 5.15 kick-off) – live on PremierSports

15. Wes Goosen (34)

14. Darcy Graham (67)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu (2)
12. Matt Scott (97)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (94)

10. Ross Thompson (3)
9. Ali Price (20)

1.Pierre Schoeman (118)
2. Patrick Harrison (16)
3. Paul Hill (3)
4. Jamie Hodgson (64)
5. Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (208)
6. Jamie Ritchie (117)
7. Ben Muncaster (32)
8. Magnus Bradbury (116) 

Replacements 

16. Harri Morris (1)
17. Boan Venter (69)
18. D’arcy Rae (8)
19. Marshall Sykes (65)
20. Luke Crosbie (100)
21. Ben Vellacott (64)
22. Cammy Scott (11)
23. Matt Currie (41)