Edinburgh Rugby announces eight team changes for Gloucester Challenge Cup fixture, including Sam Skinner’s first start

Scotland international lock Sam Skinner previously returned from a knee injury, coming off the bench during Edinburgh’s victory against Benetton. For Friday’s Challenge Cup away match against Gloucester, Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has implemented eight changes to the squad that triumphed over Benetton in the URC last weekend. In the backline, Ross McCann and Nathan Sweeney will take over from Scotland international wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe. Ben Vellacott has been selected ahead of Ali Price at scrum-half, facing his previous team. Among the forwards, lock Sam Skinner is set to make his initial start of the current season, following knee surgery performed during the summer. Additionally, 19-year-old flanker Freddy Douglas will earn his first senior start, having previously made his club debut against Benetton. Boan Venter and Paddy Harrison are introduced into the front row, replacing Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman. Tom Dodd will complete the back row alongside Douglas and Magnus Bradbury. Jamie Ritchie is unavailable due to rest, and Ben Muncaster is absent due to illness. Young players Rob Carmichael and Liam McConnell are potential debutants for the club, listed among the substitutes. Everitt commented, stating, “It’s an exciting opportunity for a lot of guys. We have a couple of experienced guys making their comeback from injury combined with some younger players coming in for the match, which is great to see.” He further added, “Gloucester have been playing some really exciting rugby and it promises to be a great night.” The full Edinburgh lineup to compete against Gloucester is as follows: Goosen, McCann, Currie, Tuipulotu, Sweeney, Thompson, Vellacott (c); Venter, Harrison, Hill, Sykes, Skinner, Dodd, Douglas, Bradbury. The replacements are: Cherry, Jones, Rae, Carmichael, McConnell, Shiel, Healy, Lang.