Edinburgh welcome fullback Greig Tonks back into their side for tonight’s European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.
He is 1 of 2 changes made by head coach Alan Solomons, who also brings Cornell Du Preez in at eighthman.
Greig Laidlaw, who was 1 of a number of players rested for Gloucester’s Premiership fixture against Newcastle, returns to face his former club.
Billy Twelvetrees captains the Cherry and Whites, while Richard Hibbard and James Hook also come back in.
Gloucester, appearing in their 1st European Challenge Cup final since 2006, overcame Exeter Chiefs in the last 4 at Kingsholm.
Edinburgh, meanwhile, are the 1st Scottish team to contest a European showpiece, having secured a comfortable win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the semi-finals.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “We all want to be involved in successful teams, we all want to be involved in cup finals and winning trophies, and we probably didn’t expect to get this stage this year.
“But we know the quality within the group that, on it’s day, can compete with anybody.
“Being involved in a final is great – but we want to win the final.”
Teams
Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Sam Beard 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Mike Coman (Captain), 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Tom Brown.
Gloucester: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 Jonny May, 13 Bill Meakes, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Captain), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 James Hook, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Tom Savage, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Nick Wood
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Sila Puafisi , 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Billy Burns , 23 Steve McColl.
Kick-Off: 18:45 GMT, 19:45 BST, 20:45 SA Time
bbc
Go Edinburgh!
Hope am proven wrong but am concerned for Edinburgh if replacement scrumhalf Fowles needs to be called on for any length of time with the game in balance. Think it is odd the Solomons is not picking Grayson Hart lately, I know he is leaving for Glasgow next season but think he is a good player, unless he is injured.
Should be good to see how incumbent Scotland scrumhalf and goal kicker Greg Laidlaw goes against up and coming star who will be aiming to take his place in the Scotland side Sam Hildago-Clyne who also is a goal kicker. Think Sam is a really talented scrummie and one to watch for the future.
Missed the kick off. 10th min – Edinburgh 3/3 Gloucester
Johnny May makes a good break and gets his pass away to 12trees to score!
Clever decoy/obstructive running by 12trees in the build up to the try helped create the space for Johnny May to set off on his run cutting in at a good angle.
13th min: Edi 3/10 Glo as Laidlaw converted it.
Edinburgh scrambling back in defence at the moment as Gloucester are running so well with the ball taking play from inside their 22 to deep into Edinburgh territory before a forward pass from Gloucester saves Edinburgh.
Hamish Watson was listed as starting but I see Roddy Grant wearing the no 7 for Edinburgh.
Gloucester put in a strong scrum on Edinburgh ball and it wheels and they get the scrum put in now. Edinburgh scrum has been their strong point in recent time, worrying this for Edinburgh.
Props and hookers pop up and Edinburgh get a penalty from Gloucester put in at scrum. Edinburgh clear to a few metres inside Gloucester half for a lineout. Ref decided Hibbard went up early for Gloucester in that scrum.
Terrible hooked clearance from Tonks means Gloucester have a lineout a few metres outside Edin 22
Edinburgh getting bullied at the breakdown
34th min – Edi 3/10 Glo, 1min45s left in yellow card time for Bresler. Edinburgh have done well not to concede anything in the time they have had 14
Penalty for Edi, Sam HC lining it up
36th min Edi 6/10 Glo as Sam HC slots it and only 10s left fro Bresler in the bin
Glo get a kickable penalty. A pity as Bresler will join the play after it is taken.
37th min Edi 6/13 Glo as Laidlaw gets it over. Must get going away this side.
Into the 3rd min of 2nd half score still Edi 6/13 Glo. Sam HC missed a penalty kick for Edinburgh just before the half time whistle blew.
Relieving penalty from a scrum for Edinburgh. So far Edinburgh have conceded 1 penalty at the scrums and Gloucester 4.
Gloucester playing at high pace, Edinburgh tackling well
With Charlie Sharples and Johnny May there Gloucester have so much pace in their backs
Edinburgh win their lineout 5m from their own line and eventually kick out taking play for a Gloucester line out on Edinburgh 22
Gloucester going through the phases in Edinburgh 22
Hook hooks an attempted drop kick high in the sky to the left but they called back anyway for a penalty which Laidlaw slots – Edi 6/16 Glo – 51st min.
Edinburgh kick off out on the full!
McKenzie on for Bresler for Edinburgh
Another kick off by Burleigh on the full. 55th min Edi 6/19 Glo, was out the room so didn’t see what happened there. With this lead and they way they seem to be dominating can only see Gloucester winning.
Filthy play there by Glo 13 as he clothelines Edinburgh player off the ball, the Edi player was running at some pace, that could have ended nasty. The 13 – Meakes gets a card, think it was a red. He must be cited too!
Try Edinburgh – Ross Ford, converted by Sam HC! Edi 13/19 Glo – 67th min
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