Edinburgh Rugby welcomes back Scotland internationalists Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Stuart McInally, Grant Gilchrist and Darcy Graham to their starting XV for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship clash against Emirates Lions at Emirates Airline Park @ 16h00
Nel (prop), McInally (hooker), Gilchrist (lock) and Graham (wing) linked up with the touring squad in South Africa earlier this week and join Schoeman (prop) – who was 24th man for Saturday’s victory over Cell C Sharks – in the capital side’s starting line-up.
Fullback Henry Immleman returns to once again claim the number 15 jersey in the only other change to last weekend’s winning side.
Ahead of the match in Johannesburg, Head Coach Mike Blair, said: “We’ve spoken a lot this week about backing up Saturday’s win in Durban with another strong performance against Emirates Lions.
“We’ve seen a real focus among the squad throughout this week’s training and I know the guys will be desperate to once again show that determination and commitment to the jersey that we saw in spades last weekend.
“It’s going to take another massive 80-minute performance in Johannesburg against a really confident Lions side but we’re up for the challenge and look forward to once again representing the club and city in one of world rugby’s most iconic stadiums.”
With Immelman returning at fullback, Argentine international Emilano Boffelli – who notched up 11 points in the win over Sharks – switches to wing alongside Scotland flyer Graham.
Centre duo James Lang and Mark Bennett once again link up in midfield, while stand-off Blair Kinghorn – two-time try-scorer and Player of the Match against Cell C Sharks – continues alongside scrum-half Ben Vellacott at half-back.
A refreshed front-row group sees hooker McInally pack down alongside props Schoeman and Nel, while experienced lock Gilchrist returns to partner Pierce Phillips in the boiler room.
Number 8 Ben Muncaster anchors an unchanged back-row that sees club centurions Magnus Bradbury and Hamish Watson complete the pack.
Edinburgh: 15. Henry Immelman, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Mark Bennett, 12. James Lang, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 10. Blair Kinghorn, 9. Ben Vellacott, 8. Ben Muncaster, 7. Hamish Watson, 6. Magnus Bradbury, 5. Grant Gilchrist (c), 4. Pierce Phillips, 3. Willem Nel, 2. Stuart McInally, 1. Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16. Dave Cherry, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Luan de Bruin, 19. Glen Young, 20. Connor Boyle, 21. Charlie Shiel, 22. Jaco van der Walt, 23. Matt Currie.