Weir and Hidalgo-Clyne return for Ulster showdown

Apr 6 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 989 Views • Comments Off on Weir and Hidalgo-Clyne return for Ulster showdown

Head Coach Richard Cockerill has named a revamped half-back pairing of Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Duncan Weir ahead of tomorrow night’s pivotal Guinness PRO14 encounter with Ulster at BT Murrayfield (Friday 6 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Their inclusion is part of six changes made to the side that faced Cardiff Blues in last weekend’s European Challenge Cup Quarter-Final.

As Edinburgh look to secure a place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series for the first time in the club’s history, Cockerill has called on his side to rise to the occasion, and said: “We need to play as well as we can tomorrow night and do what we’ve done well up to this point.

“We’ve never qualified for the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, so we have a little bit of pressure on ourselves to get that right, so we can prove that we are capable of that. We’ve got to learn what that feels like and how to cope with that. The best way to do that is to experience it.

“There is no doubt that we are capable of winning these games. We just need to get it right and go back to our basics around both our physicality and mentality.

“We have some expectations within the playing group. What I expect is 100% commitment and I want us to put our best game out on the field, which we have done more often than not.”

An unchanged back-three sees Blair Kinghorn named at fullback alongside wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Dougie Fife.

In the midfield, Mark Bennett is joined by experienced centre Phil Burleigh, who makes his first start since January.

The inclusion of tighthead prop Simon Berghan is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged front row, as Stuart McInally – named captain on the day – and Jordan Lay keep their places upfront.

Ben Toolis returns to the starting XV to partner Grant Gilchrist in the second row, whilst Jamie Ritchie is named in the back-row alongside Magnus Bradbury – who makes his 50th appearance for the club – and Bill Mata.

Edinburgh team to face Ulster in the Guinness PRO14 at BT Murrayfield on Friday 6 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

15. Blair Kinghorn (61)
14. Dougie Fife (103)
13. Mark Bennett (8)
12. Phil Burleigh (71)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (14)
10. Duncan Weir (31)
9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (104)

1. Jordan Lay (8)
2. Stuart McInally (116) CAPTAIN
3. Simon Berghan (45)
4. Ben Toolis (84)
5. Grant Gilchrist (116)
6. Magnus Bradbury (49)
7. Jamie Ritchie (45)
8. Bill Mata (34)

Replacements: 16. Neil Cochrane (72) 17. Rory Sutherland (62) 18. WP Nel (113) 19. Lewis Carmichael (29) 20. Cornell du Preez (101) 21. Sean Kennedy (59) 22. Jaco van der Walt (14) 23. Chris Dean (63)