Edinburgh V Connacht

Head Coach Richard Cockerill has issued a rallying call to the Edinburgh public, to come out in force to support their team in the first home game of the Guinness PRO14 season against Connacht at BT Murrayfield tomorrow night (Friday 14 September, kick-off 7.35pm).

“It would be great to have a big crowd and get in front of our own supporters, so we’ve got to match their passion with a fine performance – that’s going to be really important for us.”

Cockerill has made three changes to the side that faced Ulster in Belfast last weekend, with flanker Hamish Watson, wing Duhan van der Merwe and centre James Johnstone all coming into the starting XV.

Scotland star Watson – who was unavailable for selection last weekend due to the birth of his first child – is named in the back-row with fellow international Luke Hamilton who switches to to No.8 in the place of the injured, Bill Mata.

Mark Bennett drops out of contention due to injury and is replaced by Johnstone in midfield, whilst Van der Merwe returns to action after missing out on the trip to Belfast last weekend.

The South African winger is named in the place of Tom Brown, who fails to recover after picking up a knock against Ulster.

On his selection, Cockerill, said: “I know we’ve had two losses from two games, but we’re in a good place and that doesn’t tell the whole story.There’s a great spirit amongst the camp.

We just need to make sure that we put in the same performance against Connacht as we did against Ulster, and we’ll be fine.

“Connacht have had a pretty good start. They just lost to Glasgow, but could have won that at the death and then they had a pretty big win against Zebre last weekend.

“They’re playing some really good stuff. Andy Friend seems to have had a really big impact on them and they’re playing with the ball in hand.”

In the back-three, Blair Kinghorn starts at fullback alongside Scotland international winger Dougie Fife and the once again fit, Van der Merwe.

Matt Scott – who makes his first Edinburgh appearance at BT Murrayfield since May 2016 – is joined in the midfield by Johnstone, whilst Henry Pyrgos and Simon Hickey both make their home debuts after being named at half-back.

An unchanged front-row sees captain Stuart McInally pack down alongside WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman, with Ben Toolis and Grant Gilchrist continuing their partnership in the boiler room.

The aforementioned Watson returns to action at openside flanker, as Hamilton and Jamie Ritchie complete the back-row.

Elsewhere, 23-year-old back-row Magnus Bradbury is once again fit and named amongst the replacements, whilst summer recruit Juan Pablo Socino is also included on the bench, and if called upon will make his competitive debut for the club.

Secure your tickets for tomorrow's clash at BT Murrayfield here. Don't forget that U16's go free with an Adult Silver Ticket purchaser!



Edinburgh team to face Connacht at BT Murrayfield in the Guinness PRO14 on Friday 14 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.



15. Blair Kinghorn (66)



14. Dougie Fife (109)

13. James Johnstone (20)

12. Matt Scott (76)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (19)



10. Simon Hickey (2)

9. Henry Pyrgos (2)



1. Pierre Schoeman (2)

2. Stuart McInally (122) CAPTAIN

3. WP Nel (117)

4. Ben Toolis (90)

5. Grant Gilchrist (122)

6. Jamie Ritchie (50)

7. Hamish Watson (83)

8. Luke Hamilton (2)



Replacements: 16. Ross Ford (181); 17. Allan Dell (46); 18. Simon Berghan (50); 19. Fraser McKenzie (102). 20. Magnus Bradbury (53); 21 Sean Kennedy (62); 22. Jaco van der Walt (18); 23. Juan Pablo Socino*

Cockers sticking with more or less the same team, baring injuries and maternity leave returns.

Good to see Bradbury on the bench, he will hopefully make an impact. Socino is a very decent player as well, who will get plenty of game time as the season goes on.

Edinburgh really need to win this game to get their season on track. No shame in losing away in Belfast and Swansea, especially if you can pick up a point, but you have got to win your home games against mid table teams like Connacht. Lose this one and the play offs will become a struggle already!

Edinburgh sticking with the same team pretty much barring injuries. Hamilton instead of Mata at 8 is a big drop down in terms of carrying and physicality, but Bradbury on the bench should add good impact off the bench and the rest of the pack is still strong. Good to see VDM back on the wide pitch of Murrayfield.

If Edinburgh put in a similar performance as they did last week we should win this one, and even have a chance of a BP. Connacht are dangerous though, especially out wide.

As Biggee says we really need to win this one!

If Edinburgh are serious about matching last year they need to win. Two defeats in if they lose this game the other teams have a march on them. They should win

For Connacht if they are serious about getting that 3rd spot they need to be looking to win this heading into the game but happy with a LBP an deny Edinburgh a TBP. With Ospreys doing well they need to keep up.

Think Edinburgh will win by 5pts in a mid 20s each score-game

Do you think if Edinburgh lose, fans start to question the coach, or is it ok after what he did last year.

Losing would be a huge disappointment but I don't think we're anywhere near thinking of sacking Cockerill just now!

The powers that be gave Solomons 2.5/3 years most of which was utter dross so I suspect they'll be a tad more patient with the already far more successful cockerill

Massive game for Edinburgh - looking forward to it. Hamilton at 8 aside, it's a strong and consistently picked side. We must remember that it's a brand new 9 - 12 axis being constructed this season, and provided we can win tomorrow I'd say the start to the season has been solid.

Schoeman has the potential to become a real cult hero at Edinburgh, he's been impressive.

Hickey showed against Ulster a level of performance we were thinking he could - let's hope he keeps it up. His goal kicking is excellent too, which in itself puts him ahead of VDW in the pecking order.

Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin Griffin, Kyle Godwin, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, (1-8) Conan O’Donnell, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Gavin Thornbury, Ultan Dillane, Sean O’Brien, Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, James Cannon, Colby Fainga’a, Caolin Blade, Craig Ronaldson, Bundee Aki

Bundee back hopefully with a bang. Interesting to see how Boyle does against a solid pack.

Plenty beef and skill in that Connacht team, and they've always troubled us out wide. Should be a good game - I reckon it will be high scoring.

My prediction Edinburgh 30 (BP) - Connacht 24

(I bet it will be 3-3 now!)

Well RDW, it certainly isn't running rugby conditions up here. Absolutely tipped it down all afternoon.

That's a shame, especially given the desire to get a big crowd. Forecast is for the rain to stop soon so hopefully it improves by kickoff.

19 deg in London so hard to tell what the wild north is like these days!

Blow for Edinburgh with Hickey getting injured in the warmup.

Edinburgh were barely mentioned in all that buildup compared to the Munster v Ospreys game!

Nice tribute to Dickinson before the game.

Scrappy stuff so far, with Edinburgh's first backs move completely telegraphed

Connacht are really targeting Watson in defence

Connacht defence incredibly aggressive - we're lacking Mata's power to get us over the gainline

Why we not taking easy points??

Agree. Lack of punch in the ball carrying. Need Bradbury.

We're over complicating things here and making a lot of mistakes

It's a poor quarter. Should be 6-0 up on balance. Connacht playing smart. Still, McInally in the mood.

84% territory and 0 points

Stupid from Kinghorn - Connacht defence was strong but we have to be patient

Decent crowd here, but it's flat.

Got to be a yellow

Feels like a yellow.

Chat on the terrace is penalty try. Optimistic....

He's in the ruck - got to be a penalty

Good call - we desperately need to come away with a try from this!

Nice. We deserve that!!

Poor lineout. Not even close.

So frustrating giving them an easy way into the game when we should be turning the screw

Jamie Ritchie has carried well

Our kicking has generally been poor.

If we can get another try here it will have been a decent half - made hard work of it though!

Our tactics suggest only 5 points will do!

We could scrum this.

Come on Nel!!

Poor scrum...

Huge boost for Connacht there - we have to score again

That is well played Connacht.

FFS - Connacht have been highly competitive but we're showing a shocking lack of control again

Good decision!! Take 3.

Huge amount of possession with not a lot of return. Still, 10-0 gives us a good platform to build on.

Connacht defence ferocious!

I'm off to pick up the in-laws from the airport so will miss the second half - updates would be appreciated!

Mossy spending a lot of time pitchside with young players and families. Legend.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm off to pick up the in-laws from the airport so will miss the second half - updates would be appreciated!

Just assume the flight will be late....

It's already delayed so I got to see the first half at least!

As you were. Aggressive Connacht defence.