Edinburgh have parachuted their two South African-born, Scottish International props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel as part of six changes to the side that beat the Cell C Sharks for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Emirates Lions at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
* Get DStv to watch all the URC action *
Three more Scottish internationals - Stuart McInally, Grant Gilchrist and Darcy Graham also return to the starting XV as the Scottish club look to make it a clean sweep from their trip to South Africa.
Four of the five linked up with the touring squad in South Africa this week, with Schoeman already these last weekend, although he never was in the match day 23 against the Sharks.
Fullback Henry Immleman, another South African, returns to once again claim the number 15 jersey in the only other change to last weekend’s winning side.
Edinburgh coach Mike Blair said the side wanted consistency and that meant backing up the performance against the Sharks - the only overseas side to have won in SA thus far in the URC - with a similar games against the Lions.
“We’ve spoken a lot this week about backing up Saturday’s win in Durban with another strong performance against Emirates Lions,” Blair said.
“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: Henry Immelman, Darcy Graham, Mark Bennett, James Lang, Emiliano Boffelli, Blair Kinghorn, Ben Vellacott; Ben Muncaster, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury, Grant Gilchrist (captain), Pierce Phillips, WP Nel, Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: Dave Cheery, Boan Venter, Luan de Bruin, Glen Young, Connor Boyle, Charlie Shiel, Jaco van der Walt, Matt Currie.
