Yes, the PRO12 is back, and once again we’re in the business of hunting through the TV schedules to see if our lads are on.
Alan Solomons is sticking with the squad that has done him proud so far this season with Jack Cuthbert and Will Helu coming in for the injured Greig Tonks and Chris Dean. Given the Edinburgh representatives that took part in the World Cup were heavy on involvement it may be a few weeks before we see the likes of Nel and Scott back, so it has a slightly patchwork feel to it still but Sam Hidalgo-Clyne comes in on the bench and will be itching to show what he has learned. Even with the signing of John Hardie there is already class in the back row already with Coman, Watson and Manu backed up by Du Preez while there is a refreshing sprinkling of youth around the squad.
Zebre v Edinburgh (not on TV)
Edinburgh Rugby: Jack Cuthbert, Tom Brown, Will Helu, Andries Strauss, Damien Hoyland, Phil Burleigh, Nathan Fowles; Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane, John Andress, Anton Bresler, Fraser Mackenzie, Mike Coman (capt), Hamish Watson, Nasi Manu
Replacements: George Turner, Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Alex Toolis, Cornell Du Preez, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Dougie Fife, Blair Kinghorn
Gregor Townsend has more returning players to deal with, and perhaps more need of them with Glasgow experiencing a much shakier start to the season before settling into things a little. Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir, Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson all had limited game time and will be keen to get back into action. Kevin Bryce completes the returning contingent on the bench while overall it is still a strong looking team with Taqele Naiyaravoro and Simone Favaro (imagine those two passing to each other in Gaelic, good luck Hugh Dan) in the pack and up front young lads Allan and Fagerson will be looking to show the other end of the M8 there are bright scrummaging times ahead.
Leinster v Glasgow (live on Sky Sports 2)
Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Garry Ringrose, Ben Te’o, Noel Reid, Fergus McFadden; Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath; Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon, Marty Moore; Ross Molony, Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Tadhg Furlong, Dominic Ryan, Daniel Leavy, Isaac Boss, Ross Byrne, Cian Kelleher.
Glasgow Warriors: Sean Lamont; Taqele Naiyaravoro, Richie Vernon, Fraser Lyle, Rory Hughes; Duncan Weir, Mike Blair; Alex Allan, Pat MacArthur, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Scott Cummings, Rob Harley (capt), Simone Favaro, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Kevin Bryce, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Mike Cusack, Greg Peterson, Adam Ashe, Hugh Blake, Grayson Hart, Rory Clegg.