Crosbie in for clash of the capitals

Back-row Luke Crosbie makes his first start of the season as one of five changes to the Edinburgh line-up to face Cardiff Rugby at Hive Stadium tomorrow evening (19 October, kick-off 5.15pm) – live on Premier Sports.

The Scotland international features in the starting line-up for the first time since recovering from a neck injury, having made his return to action for Edinburgh ‘A’ against Saracens Storm, before impacting from the bench against DHL Stormers.

The bonus-point win against the men from Cape Town sees Edinburgh Rugby sitting four points behind sixth place Cardiff Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship table.

On the match, Sean Everitt added: “Cardiff’s backs have scored the majority of their tries, and they’ve managed to combine that now with a really strong set-piece and that’s become a weapon of theirs.

“In all aspects of the game, we need to be really sharp on Saturday to be able to get the win.”

Everitt has named an unchanged back-three for the visit of Cardiff, with Wes Goosen again at full-back flanked by Scotland duo of Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.

Mosese Tuipulotu and Matt Currie form the midfield partnership for the second time this season, although the pair have swapped jerseys from the campaign opener against Leinster, with Tuipulotu at 12 and Currie at 13.

The capital halves remain unchanged, with Ross Thompson (fly-half) and Ali Price (scrum-half) again starting after impressive outings against the DHL Stormers.

In the pack, both props are rotated with Boan Venter (loosehead) and D’arcy Rae (tighthead) starting alongside Scotland cap Paddy Harrison, who starts for successive matches.

Marshall Sykes returns to start in the second-row, alongside ever-present captain Grant Gilchrist.

Crosbie is the only change in the back-row, with Magnus Bradbury and last week’s BKT Player of the Match Ben Muncaster retaining their starting spots at number eight and openside flanker respectively.

In the replacements, Ewan Ashman makes his return to play after sustaining a concussion against Emirates Lions in Round 3, with back-row Hamish Watson also returning to the matchday squad.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Cardiff Rugby at Hive Stadium (19 October, kick-off 5.15pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (35)

14. Darcy Graham (68)
13. Matt Currie (42)
12. Mosese Tuipulotu (3)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (95)

10. Ross Thompson (4)
9. Ali Price (21)

1.Boan Venter (70)
2. Paddy Harrison (17)
3. D’Arcy Rae (9)
4. Marshall Sykes (66)
5. Grant Gilchrist (209) CAPTAIN
6. Luke Crosbie (101)
7. Ben Muncaster (33)
8. Magnus Bradbury (117)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (23)
17. Pierre Schoeman (119)
18. Paul Hill (4)
19. Jamie Hodgson (65)
20. Hamish Watson (162)
21. Ben Vellacott (65)
22. Cammy Scott (12)
23. Matt Scott (98)

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (neck), Robin Hislop (knee), James Lang (calf), Jamie Ritchie (rest protocol), Javan Sebastian (shoulder), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Glen Young (pec).