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PRO14 Round 8: Edinburgh vs Ospreys

Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury
Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury - pic © Al Ross/Novantae Photography

Edinburgh take on the Ospreys this team and despite both squads losing players to international duty, Edinburgh look fairly familiar with Cockerill opting for form over reputation quite often this season.

Ben Toolis, Stuart McInally and WP Nel are the biggest losses for Edinburgh’s pack while Alun Wyn Jones will be absent for Ospreys. They do have lion-tamer Scott Baldwin back the right side of the cage though, along with some seasoned players like James Hook in the backline.

In the Edinburgh back row, Jamie Ritchie gets the openside berth in place of Hamish Watson (international) and John Hardie (suspension) which gives Luke Crosbie another start at blindside.

Richard Cockerill has handed the outside centre spot to James Johnstone despite the presence of Chris Dean in the team and continues with Jason Tovey at standoff. No sign of Duncan Weir who hasn’t featured much during Edinburgh’s recent run of wins – Sam Hidalgo-Clyne will cover both half-back slots from the bench.

The loss of McInally and Ford to Scotland means a potential debut off the bench for young hooker Cameron Fenton. Also lurking in the replacements is deposed skipper Magnus Bradbury, who will be hoping to begin his rehabilitation sooner rather than later.

Edinburgh: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 James Johnstone, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Nathan Fowles; 1 Michele Rizzo, 2 Neil Cochrane, 3 Simon Berghan, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Luke Crosbie, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 8 Cornell du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Cameron Fenton, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Magnus Bradbury, 20 Lewis Carmichael, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Glenn Bryce, 23 Chris Dean.

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Dafydd Howells, 13 James Hook, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Tom Habberfield, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Brendon Leonard; 1 Paul James (CAPT), 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 5 Bradley Davies, 6 Olly Cracknell, 7 Guy Mercer, 8 Rob McCusker.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 James King, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Luke Price, 23 Kieron Fonotia

Saturday 4 October, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports Arena.

9 Responses

  1. Weir is injured, so not such a mystery. Last injury update had him returning mid-November.

    On the basis that it is unlikely that any of Toony’s intended starting XV would be allowed to start for the pro teams this weekend, that would suggest the team against Samoa will be along the lines of:

    1. Marfo
    2. McInally or Ford
    3. Nel or Fagerson
    4. Gray
    5. Toolis
    6. Barclay
    7. Watson
    8. Wilson
    9. Price
    10. Russell
    11. Jones (L)
    12. Dunbar
    13. Jones (H)
    14. Seymour
    15. Hogg

    I think he’ll be happy for Barclay to get game time this weekend but, otherwise, my only doubt is the centre pairing and whether McGuigan might get the nod ahead of Lee Jones. If Dunbar proves his fitness via a cameo appearance tonight, then I’d expect him to start. If not, then Harris might make his debut.

    1. That’s a very good side. I’d be surprised if he put out that many first teamers for the Samoa game to be honest, but who knows with the Toonie Tombola.

      Losing the Samoa game could turn the series into a bit of a disaster too, 0-3 would do nothing for morale. Really important game this one.

    2. That explains that then, thanks for the update on Weir I must have missed that. Edinburgh never put injury lists on their team sheets, Glasgow do.

    3. Don’t think that is far wrong. Think McGuigan might get a shot but Lee Jones is a toonie favourite.

      loosehead is the problem- don’t know much about Marfo and Bhatti is very green.

      I think Hamilton might start against Samoa. Stating the obvious but we lack a ball carrier in the squad.

  2. Hopefully Edinburgh can win this and put more distance between them and the rest chasing the champions cup spot. Also great if they can close the gap on Ulster.

    The more I view the team, i have to say it’s starting to get real depth. Crosbie, Carmichael etc real pluses and when you can bring Dean off the bench, it looks good.

    I think Edinburgh to win a close battle.

    Good luck Edinburgh!

  3. Also really good to see Rory Sutherland on the bench after such a long absence and given Scotland, (and Edinburgh’s), long standing prop difficulties

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