London Irish vs Edinburgh Rugby Sat 14/10 Challenge Cup

Head coach Richard Cockerill has named his Edinburgh side for tomorrow afternoon’s European Challenge Cup opener against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium (Saturday 14 October, kick-off 3pm).

The team selection includes nine changes to the starting XV which proved too strong for Zebre at Myreside last weekend. In the back-three, Glenn Bryce replaces the injured Blair Kinghorn at fullback whilst wing Damien Hoyland rotates in for Tom Brown who drops to the bench. Dougie Fife keeps his spot on the opposite flank.

A revamped midfield sees Chris Dean return to action at outside centre. The 23-year-old links-up with Junior Rasolea who makes his first start since the season opener. Jason Tovey continues at stand-off and is partnered by Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

In the front-row, Stuart McInally keeps his spot at hooker after his impressive outing against Zebre last weekend. The 27-year-old will pack down alongside Simon Berghan and Allan Dell – who also makes his first start of the season.

In the second-row, Ben Toolis is joined by Fraser McKenzie - who skippers the side on his 85th appearance in the black and red. The only alteration to an otherwise unchanged back-row sees John Hardie replace Magus Bradbury.

On his team selection, Richard Cockerill said: “We’ve picked a strong side which we believe can compete against a dangerous London Irish side. We’ve made nine changes, but the guys who’ve come in have a point to prove and we hope they can put their hand up for future selection.”

“This club has experienced some relative success in European competition, so we hope with a positive result tomorrow we can kick-start another memorable run once again.”

jimbopip wrote:What's up with Wee Dunkie? Avoid the obvious jokes, please.

Spoons; I like the minimalist retro thread look. It's so ....real, you know?

Hazel Sapling wrote:Crosbie is a new face on the bench for Edinburgh. Fairly solid team. Probably the best centre combination so far this season for Edinburgh. Front row actually has one of the first three choices at loosehead. The pack to a man are talented but looking for performances from Hardie and CDP who have fallen off a cliff (more CDP than Hardie).

What has happened to Tonks? Is he injured? How many guys over 25 are in that line-up?

They are probably about equal in the backs and Edinburgh have considerable pedigree in the pack. Edinburgh have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde so hoping that a win here can help build a little consistency.

Margin_Walker wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:Crosbie is a new face on the bench for Edinburgh. Fairly solid team. Probably the best centre combination so far this season for Edinburgh. Front row actually has one of the first three choices at loosehead. The pack to a man are talented but looking for performances from Hardie and CDP who have fallen off a cliff (more CDP than Hardie).

What has happened to Tonks? Is he injured? How many guys over 25 are in that line-up?

They are probably about equal in the backs and Edinburgh have considerable pedigree in the pack. Edinburgh have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde so hoping that a win here can help build a little consistency.

Tonks is out with a hip injury. Has actually been pretty decent lately when called upon. Players in bold are 25 or over (Topsy Ojo is the only player older than 27). Will be interesting to see how they do as it's certainly a stronger Edinburgh team despite the potential.

London Irish: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Topsy Ojo (c), 10 Theo Brophy Clews, 9 Ben Meehan, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Will Lloyd, 5 Josh McNally, 6 Max Northcote-Green, 7 Conor Gilsenan, 8 Lasha Lomidze

Replacements: 16 Todd Gleave, 17 Tom Smallbone, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Jack Cooke, 20 Isaac Curtis-Harris, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Jacob Atkins, 23 Ben Loader

TJ wrote:Did anyone ever find out why meatball was not even on the bench?