As Edinburgh take to the home turf tomorrow (Friday 13 November) to meet FC Grenoble in the opening Round of this season’s European Challenge Cup (kick-off 19:30 UK Time, 21:30 SA Time), they will be led out by the player endearingly referred to by his team-mates as the ‘squadfather’, prop Alasdair Dickinson, who reaches his 100th cap for the club.
Meanwhile in the pack, at openside, John Hardie will be making his debut in the black and red jersey, after signing for the club last month following his Scotland debut at No 7 in the Rugby World Cup.
Loosehead Dickinson joins hooker Ross Ford and tighthead WP Nel in an unchanged front row, with Anton Bresler and Alex Toolis maintaining their partnership from last week at lock.
Mike Coman captains the team again at blindside with Hardie making his debut at openside and Cornell Du Preez retaining the No 8 jersey.
Meanwhile there is 1 change in the backs with Dougie Fife moving up from the bench to start at fullback. Damien Hoyland and Tom Brown stay on the right and left wings respectively while last week’s try scorer Will Helu and Matt Scott remain at outside and inside centre. The halfback pairing of Greig Tonks at flyhalf and scrumhalf Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is also retained.
Head coach Alan Solomons said: “I’m delighted to see Alasdair reach his 100th cap for the club. This is his 2nd period playing for Edinburgh Rugby and his commitment and work rate throughout have been outstanding.
“As one of the leaders in the club, he is a fantastic role model for our younger players both on and off the field.
“At the other end of the representative scale, I’m delighted that John Hardie will be making his club debut at BT Murrayfield this evening. He is a great young player and has fitted in really well in his short time with the Edinburgh squad.”
“Dicko (Dickinson) is a firm supporters’ favourite and I’m sure John will join him in that category so it would be fantastic to have a vocal crowd welcome them both on to the field tonight and cheer on the team in this opening European Cup pool game.”
Edinburgh are also pooled with Agen and London Irish in this season’s European Challenge Cup and, next week, will be away to the former side at Stade Armandie.
Edinburgh: 15 Dougie Fife, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Will Helu, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 John Hardie, 6 Mike Coman, 5 Alex Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Chris Dean.