Both pro teams have welcomed back a number of international players into the fold as Edinburgh look to continue their strong start while Glasgow try to sort out an opening stretch where the scoreboard has gone against them.
Glasgow Warriors v Isuzu Southern Kings
One player who won’t feature for a while is Jonny Gray, who will be rested for 6 weeks including the opening round of European fixtures. Ali Price is hoping to be fit before then, but for now George Horne slots right in at 9 alongside Adam Hastings and brother Peter. Can the new creative axis spark Glasgow into life, or will the issues be up front in the pack as is often the case?
More of Glasgow’s internationals, such as Fraser Brown or Tommy Seymour, are expected back next week.
Date: Fri 1st November 2019
KO: 19:35
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium
Glasgow Warriors: Glenn Bryce, Nikola Matawalu, Huw Jones, Pete Horne, DTH van der Merwe, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Kiran McDonald Seran, Rob Harley, Callum Gibbins, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: George Turner, Alex Allan, D’arcy Rae, Andrew Davidson, Chris Fusaro, Jamie Dobie, Stafford MacDowell, Ratu Tagive.
Isuzu Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Christopher Hollis, Erich Cronje, Tertius Kruger, S’bura Sithole, John Jackson, Josh Allderman, Juan Schoeman, Jacques du Toit, Pieter Scholtz, Bobby de Wee, Aston Fortuin, Tienie Burger, Thembelani Bholi, Ruaan Lerm.
Replacements: Alandre van Rooyen, Xandre Vos, Rossouw de Klerk, Jerry Sexton, Elrigh Louw, Gavin Mills, Siya Masuku, Scott van Breda.
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Benetton Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
As you’d expect from Edinburgh, a tasty back row for this one with Magnus Bradbury getting a run at Number 8 and Bill Mata poised to kick his PRO14 season off from the bench. There’s a change of direction at fly0-half with Simon Hickey swapped for regular incumbent Jaco van der Walt. Will that curtail Edinburgh’s new attacking style?
Treviso has not always been the happiest hunting ground for Edinburgh and with the Italians also increasing in strength with some well-rested Italian players – they sat out their last Pool game – back in their squad.
Date: Sat 2nd November 2019
KO: 18:15 local (17:15 GMT)
Venue: Stadio Monigo
Benetton Rugby: Jayden Hayward, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, Nacho Brex, Tommaso Benvenuti, Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Allan, Dewaldt Duvenage, Federico Zani, Tomas Baravalle, Tiziano Pasquali, Irne Herbst, Eli Snyman, Sebastian Negri da Ollegio, Braam Steyn, Toa Halafihi.
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Cherif Traore, Michele Mancini, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Giovanni Pettinelli, Tito Tebaldi, Antonio Rizzi.
Edinburgh Rugby: Blair Kinghorn, Eroni Sau, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Damien Hoyland, Jaco van der Walt, Henry Pyrgos, Jamie Bhatti, Mike Willemse, Pietro Ceccarelli, Fraser McKenzie, Lewis Carmichael, Ally Miller, Luke Crosbie, Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman, Murray McCallum, Sam Thomson, Viliame Mata, Nic Groom, Simon Hickey, George Taylor.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)