Scotland international Dylan Richardson will make his Edinburgh Rugby debut tomorrow night, stepping straight into the starting XV at openside flanker for the BKT URC clash against Munster at Virgin Media Park (10 October, kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports.
Richardson’s inclusion is one of two changes to the side named for last week’s postponed Round 2 match against Ulster at Hive Stadium. The other sees Sam Skinner move into the starting line-up at lock, replacing Grant Gilchrist as part of planned squad rotation.
Head Coach Sean Everitt is also able to call on fresh faces in the replacements. Springbok prop Boan Venter returns to the matchday squad straight from winning The Rugby Championship with South Africa, while back-row Ben Muncaster makes his return from injury for his first minutes of the season.
On the match, Everitt said: “We have put last week’s postponement behind us, and we’re focussed entirely on the task at hand. It’s a completely different challenge this week – a tough test against Munster at a difficult venue in Cork.
“There’s been a massive amount of growth already within this group. With so many new and fresh faces, particularly the exciting young players coming through. There’s a great energy throughout the squad.
“The preparation this week has been excellent, and we’re determined to put in a performance that makes the Edinburgh fans proud.”
Everitt names an unchanged backline for the trip to Cork, with Wes Goosen starting at fullback alongside British & Irish Lions wing duo Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe.
James Lang and Piers O’Conor continue at inside and outside centre respectively, with scrum-half Ben Vellacott partnering fly-half Ben Healy, the latter of whom returns to face his former club.
In the pack, Pierre Schoeman makes his first start of the season at loosehead prop, forming the front-row with tighthead D’arcy Rae and hooker Ewan Ashman.
Skinner partners Marshall Sykes at lock, while captain Magnus Bradbury and blindside flanker Liam McConnell complete the pack.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Munster Rugby at Virgin Media Park in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 10 October, kick-off 7.45pm – live on Premier Sports.
15. Wes Goosen (56)
14. Darcy Graham (83)
13. Piers O’Conor (1)
12. James Lang (76)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (104)
10. Ben Healy (40)
9. Ben Vellacott (76)
1. Pierre Schoeman (135)
2. Ewan Ashman (39)
3. D’arcy Rae (28)
4. Marshall Sykes (85)
5. Sam Skinner (45)
6. Liam McConnell (6)
7. Dylan Richardson*
8. Magnus Bradbury (135) CAPTAIN
Replacements
16. Paddy Harrison (34)
17. Boan Venter (91)
18. Paul Hill (15)
19. Glen Young (50)
20. Freddy Douglas (7)
21. Ben Muncaster (48)
22. Charlie Shiel (75)
23. Harry Paterson (18)
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles) , Ross Thompson (toe), Matt Currie (head), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Connor Boyle (knee), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
