Edinburgh have made the expected sweeping changes as they try to regain control of their European Challenge Cup pool from London Irish and Grenoble at BT Murrayfield.
Irish arrive fresh from a win in Reading that was far too easy for Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons’ liking, even if he did put out a team that was well under strength.
The South African was scathing about his team’s performance especially as a bonus point win is now needed to “equalise” the doubleheader in tonight’s re-match, and with that in mind he’s selected a pacy-looking outfit, with most of the top names returning to duty.
Key internationalists John Hardie, Ross Ford, WP Nel and Matt Scott are back in the side, although Alasdair Dickinson misses out with a calf injury.
Phil Burleigh and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne are back at the half-back combination, with Greig Tonks going back to full-back.
Damien Hoyland starts, while Michael Allen stays at outside centre.
Three key men are retained in the pack in locks Alex Toolis and Anton Bresler and Cornell du Preez, with Mike Coman back as skipper.
Edinburgh’s lack of a bonus point despite their first two wins has left them third in the pool behind Irish and Grenoble.
The visitors this week have recalled Scotland cap Blair Cowan to their back row, but there’s no place in the squad for Sean Maitland or Geoff Cross.