Scotland Stars back for DHL Stormers

The Scotland international stars joined up with the capital’s touring squad in South Africa after their collective efforts in the Guinness Six Nations, all moving into the starting line-up in Cape Town.

Edinburgh also welcome the return of centre James Lang, who has recovered from a quad injury to start in the capital midfield.

On the match, Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We know it will be a tough challenge at DHL Stadium on Saturday, but we’ve had a good training week and are in a good place to get a special result at the weekend.

“The Scotland guys being back is obviously a boost, but we’ll need everyone at the top of their game to turn over the Stormers on their own patch.”

Graham starts on the wing with Malelili Satala, while Piers O’Conor starts at full-back with Harry Paterson missing out with a quad injury.

Lang comes into the side at inside-centre, starting alongside Matt Currie. Charlie Shiel starts at nine alongside fly-half Ross Thompson in a new-look half-back pairing.

In the pack, Everitt opts for a fresh front-row, with tighthead Paul Hill and hooker Ewan Ashman starting alongside Schoeman at loosehead.

Club double centurion and Scotland’s most-capped lock Gilchrist starts in the second-row with Marshall Sykes.

Magnus Bradbury once again captains the side from number 8, forming a back-row with openside flanker Dylan Richardson and blindside flanker Liam McConnell.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 28 March, kick-off 5pm GMT/7pm local – live on Premier Sports.

15. Piers O’Conor (15)

14. Darcy Graham (92)
13. Matt Currie (70)
12. James Lang (88)
11. Malelili Satala (5)

10. Ross Thompson (39)
9. Charlie Shiel (89)

1. Pierre Schoeman (145)
2. Ewan Ashman (48)
3. Paul Hill (29)
4. Marshall Sykes (92)
5. Grant Gilchrist (228)
6. Liam McConnell (19)
7. Dylan Richardson (10)
8. Magnus Bradbury (148) CAPTAIN

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (3)
17. Boan Venter (102)
18. Angus Williams (30)
19. Glen Young (64)
20. Freddy Douglas (19)
21. Ben Vellacott (91)
22. Mosese Tuipulotu (24)
23. Jack Brown (10)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Conor McAlpine (hamstring), Wes Goosen (hand), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), D’arcy Rae (calf), Ben Muncaster (concussion), Harry Paterson (quad).