Seven changes for Saturday night Scarlets showdown
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Edinburgh Rugby make seven changes for tomorrow night’s BKT United Rugby Championship encounter with Scarlets at Hive Stadium (Saturday 20 April, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
Five of those alterations come in the pack as hooker Dave Cherry packs down alongside props Boan Venter and Javan Sebastian in an all-new front-row.
Lock Jamie Hodgson and flanker Luke Crosbie both start in the back-five with Sam Skinner and Hamish Watson rested.
In the backs, Scotland and British & Irish Lions nine Ali Price – who extended terms with the club earlier this week – takes the place of Ben Vellacott at scrum-half, with the latter named among the replacements.
Elsewhere Matt Currie shifts from centre to wing with Jake Henry out injured (hamstring). James Lang is subsequently handed the start in the capital midfield.
Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “It’s brilliant to be back home at Hive Stadium with so much travel to South Africa in recent weeks. The boys can’t wait to run out in front of our supporters – there has definitely been a buzz and energy about the squad this week.
“We’ve made a number of changes to freshen things up. Luke [Crosbie] and Jamie [Hodgson] have both impressed from the bench in recent weeks and deserve their starts, while it also gives us the chance to rest a few guys who’ve carried the load for us in recent games.
“We know Scarlets are a dangerous team having faced them in Europe earlier this season. We’ve got to be ready from the get-go. There is no easy game in the URC and this team will be ready for a proper 80-minute battle tomorrow night.”
Wes Goosen continues at full-back with Currie and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe named on the wings.
Lang links up with Mark Bennett in midfield as Scotland duo Price and Ben Healy (stand-off) form a revamped half-back pairing.
Captain Grant Gilchrist – who made his 200th appearance for the club in Durban last weekend – combines with Hodgson in the middle row as club centurions Viliame Mata (number 8) and Jamie Ritchie (blindside flanker) complete the pack.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Scarlets at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 20 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (27)
14. Matt Currie (34)
13. Mark Bennett (103)
12. James Lang (52)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (87)
10. Ben Healy (18)
9. Ali Price (12)
1. Boan Venter (61)
2. Dave Cherry (88)
3. Javan Sebastian (12)
4. Jamie Hodgson (60)
5. Grant Gilchrist (200) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (109)
7. Luke Crosbie (95)
8. Viliame Mata (133)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (15)
17. Pierre Schoeman (110)
18. WP Nel (203)
19. Marshall Sykes (57)
20. Connor Boyle (41)
21. Ben Vellacott (56)
22. Cammy Scott (8)
23. Chris Dean (148)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (back), Darcy Graham (groin), Jake Henry (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee), Harry Paterson (ankle), Sam Skinner (rest), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (groin), Hamish Watson (rest), Glen Young (ankle).
