Edinburgh vs Munster - 16/03

First topic message reminder :

Edinburgh welcome back two NatWest 6 Nations stars for tomorrow night’s pivotal Guinness PRO14 encounter with Munster at BT Murrayfield (Friday 16 March, kick-off 7.35pm).

TV - BBC Scotland & TG4

Scotland internationalists Ben Toolis - who starts in the second-row - and Simon Berghan – who is named amongst the replacements – both return to club action as Edinburgh look to continue their run of good form which has seen the club win five of its last six league fixtures to climb into the Guinness PRO14 play-off positions.

Dougie Fife is named at fullback after making his 100th appearance for the club in last month’s victory over Dragons. The Scotland Sevens star is joined in the back-three by wings Duhan van der Merwe and Jason Harries.

In the midfield, Chris Dean is partnered by Mark Bennett, who returns to the fray after missing the bonus-point victory against Dragons three-weeks ago. An unchanged half-back partnership sees Jaco van der Walt once again link-up with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

In the front-row, experienced hooker Neil Cochrane is joined by Murray McCallum and Samoan international Jordan Lay.

Club Captain Fraser McKenzie keeps his place in the second-row, whilst Toolis returns to the starting XV after missing the last four fixtures due to international duties.

A powerful back-row trio sees Magnus Bradbury and John Hardie link-up with Bill Mata, who is once again named at number eight following his Man of the Match performance in the impressive win over the Dragons at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park.

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said:

“Munster are a very good side. They should come here and they should win – but we’ll see.

“We’ll be well prepped and motivated for the game – as I’m sure they’ll be – and it’s another good test for us.

“Munster have probably got a good enough squad to beat us, but were playing well, we’re confident and we’ll go out there and try and improve on last week – that’s where we are at the moment.


“We’ve got a hell of a run-in now until the end of the season to try and do something with the year.

“We’ve got some big games to try and win. We want to be in the play-offs and we’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to be in the mix.”

Edinburgh team to face Munster in the Guinness PRO14 at BT Murrayfield on Friday 16 March (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC Two Scotland.

15. Dougie Fife (100)

14. Jason Harries (8)
13. Mark Bennett (5)
12. Chris Dean (60)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (11)

10. Jaco van der Walt (11)
9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (103)

1. Jordan Lay (5)
2. Neil Cochrane (69)
3. Murray McCallum (36)
4. Fraser McKenzie (98) CAPTAIN
5. Ben Toolis (82)
6. Magnus Bradbury (46)
7. John Hardie (27)
8. Bill Mata (31)

Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton (9); 17. Rory Sutherland (60); 18. Simon Berghan (42); 19. Lewis Carmichael (26); 20. Cornell du Preez (98); 21. Nathan Fowles (53); 22. Duncan Weir (28); 23. Junior Rasolea (25)

Fowles did kick a very good conversion from the 2nd try but other than that was shieze.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Fowles did kick a very good conversion from the 2nd try but other than that was shieze.

That was our 10 - Van Der Walt

RDW_Scotland wrote:

EST wrote:I'm really unsure how Fowles has a pro contract.  

Just awful.

High hopes for Charlie Shiel next season. It's not like he's got much competition!

When SHC goes, its going to be by far the weakest position in the squad. Shiel is a very good young player, but I would have thought Cockers needs to get in somebody else - can't have Fowles as the starting 9.

EST wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

EST wrote:I'm really unsure how Fowles has a pro contract.  

Just awful.

High hopes for Charlie Shiel next season. It's not like he's got much competition!

When SHC goes, its going to be by far the weakest position in the squad.  Shiel is a very good young player, but I would have thought Cockers needs to get in somebody else - can't have Fowles as the starting 9.

Cockerill had to stick to his guns when SHC was over valuing himself but I bet he wishes he signed a new contract. SHC has done things this season that none of the other 9s could do, and is a top class goal Kicker as well.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Fowles did kick a very good conversion from the 2nd try but other than that was shieze.

That was our 10 - Van Der Walt

Right -oh ! So Fowles was really truly feckin awful then ?

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Fowles did kick a very good conversion from the 2nd try but other than that was shieze.

That was our 10 - Van Der Walt

Right -oh !  So Fowles was really truly feckin awful then ?

Pretty much!

Isn't cockers after a top 9 anyway?
Last I heard he tried to get Pulu, which if true shows the level of 9 he is aiming for. (Granted may have to settle for less but can't see him having Fowles, Kennedy and Shel as his only 9 options) 9 is too key a position for his game plan.

has SHC got another club yet?

My goodness that game was poor. I really don't think they should play pro 14 when the 6N is on

That game was awful. From a Munster point of view that was just extremely bad. Not sure who thought JJ and Chris hart are actually any good.

On a lighter note I see that the middle classes of Scotland have discovered booing and generally acting like their great unwashed friends in glasgee.

Munster lacked a complete bench. The 9 needed replacing and they lacked a cutting edge.

Whitehouse had a poor game. Stop start. Munster probably have more gripes with him whilst Edinburgh have a couple with the Welsh assistant. Harries lucky not to get sent off.

Edinburgh had a plan and it was not working. Great counter attacking try started from Fife. VDM will be deadly but needs to work on his high ball work. Harries is average. Surely Hoyland or Brown offers more.

I remember, when Hart was in France, many thought he was an exciting prospect for Ireland.
I just couldn't see it, on Friday he was positively crap.
He almost walked to Glasgow before making some of his passes

One of the linesmen made a couple of the worst decisions I have seen in a long - one against each side.
He bordered on the incompetent

TJ wrote:has SHC got another club yet?  

My goodness that game was poor.  I really don't think they should play pro 14 when the 6N is on

No choice - there are not 21 free weekends in a season without the 6N period.
We have to play during the 6N