Edinburgh bring back Pierre Schoeman but another forward needs surgery as they seek URC momentum

The home side are boosted by the return of Pierre Schoeman for the visit of the South Africans but head coach Everitt has kept changes to a minimum, hardly surprising given the quality of the performance in Belfast.

Schoeman replaces Alec Hepburn at loosehead prop and there is also a switch on the other side of the scrum, with Ollie Blyth-Lafferty coming in for Paul Hill. Otherwise, it's same again for Edinburgh as they look to continue the momentum generated by last week’s 34-29 win at Ulster.

Everitt expects the Stormers will pose a different, more physical challenge but the coach knows what a boost it would be for Edinburgh to open with back-to-back wins in the new United Rugby Championship campaign.

Momentum is key

The capital club had their first home game of last season postponed due to Storm Amy and lost away to Zebre and Munster in rounds one and three. They never really recovered and ended up finishing 12th, out of contention for the play-offs.

“We didn’t start well last year and we were on the back foot immediately,” said Everitt. “We’ve got the five points now and building momentum is key. Hopefully the youngsters that played last week can take a lot of experience out of that game away from home.

“So yes, it’s really important to continue with momentum, especially with the away game coming up [against Zebre] and then a European game thereafter [against Toulon in the Challenge Cup].”

The youthfulness of the squad which won in Belfast made the result all the more encouraging.

“All wins give you confidence,” added Everitt. “I think for me it was also about giving the youngsters belief in this team that we can win away from home.

“That’s exactly how we want to play. We want to play fast. We just need to put it together for 80 minutes. We didn’t quite do that, but in a game you’re never going to have full momentum for the 80. I’m just glad we could keep them out.”

Out for 10 weeks

Edinburgh continue to be blighted by injury, meaning their reliance on youth is as much about necessity as anything. There are 17 players on their unavailable list, with D’arcy Rae the latest to be sidelined. The prop is to see a specialist about back and calf issues.

Ben Muncaster’s bad luck continues. The back-row forward was injured in the pre-season game against Harlequins and is out until mid-December.

“Ben Muncaster will be having surgery on his ankle, and that will put him back for 10 weeks,” confirmed Everitt. “It’s been very bad luck for him. I haven’t been in a franchise where a guy has been ravaged like that.”

The coach felt some of the injuries his players have suffered have been “freakish” but acknowledged that playing on artificial pitches can cause issues.

The 4G factor

“Yes, the 4G does put stress on the bodies,” he said. “Let’s talk about the second row and back row. They’re doing a lot of lineout work, jumping, landing. It does put stress on you. It doesn’t have the give that grass does, so ligament injuries are a concern.

“I know the South Africans do not like playing on 4G. The Stormers mentioned earlier in the week that they picked up two injuries [in their win over Connacht in Galway], and they mentioned the 4G pitch as well.

“So yes, it does play a part, but I believe that 4G is going to be the way forward. We need to be adaptable. We need to be robust with regards to that.”

They will also need to be robust to stop the Stormers who are expected to lean heavily on a forward pack in the typical South African mould.

Stormers threat

“They’re a set-piece, line-speed and kicking team, and they rely on their set piece to get entries into the 22, so that’ll be the physical challenge for us,” said Everitt.

“Obviously, they’re a big South African team, with frontline forwards, so we need to stop that momentum. But that’s the defensive threat. We need to focus on what we’re good at, and that’s to keep playing with ball in hand and keep playing at tempo. I’m sure we’ll cause them some problems too.”

The inclusion of the hard-carrying Schoeman should help Edinburgh and will also lift the crowd, given his popularity with the home support.

“A guy with that type of experience gives the youngsters around him confidence,” said Everitt. “He’s a leader in our group, and the players have a huge amount of respect for him and take a lot of confidence out of him.”

The visitors will be able to call upon double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi who will play for the Stormers for the first time in over five years. Having rejoined the team from the Sharks, Kolisi will start at six against Edinburgh.

The only other change to the pack sees Ntuthuko Mchunu start in the front row. In the backline, Stefan Ungerer and Yaqeen Ahmed come in at nine and ten.

“We know that Edinburgh is a tough place to play and we have some experience coming in, with Siya, Ntuthuko and Stefan included along with Yaqeen Ahmed and Wandile Mlabaa, who are both really exciting young players,” said John Dobson, the Stormers’ director of rugby.

Edinburgh Rugby v DHL Stormers

BKT United Rugby Championship round 2, Hive Stadium, Friday, 7.45pm

Edinburgh: 15. Piers O’Conor; 14. Malelili Satala, 13. Matt Currie (co-capt), 12. Kienan Higgins, 11. Geordie Gwynn; 10. James Grayson, 9. Hector Patterson; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Harri Morris, 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4. Callum Hunter-Hill, 5. Glen Young, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Freddy Douglas, 8. Magnus Bradbury (co-capt). Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Euan McVie, 20. Tom Currie, 21. Conor McAlpine, 22. Cammy Scott, 23. Rory McHaffie.

Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant; 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Ruhan Nel (capt), 12. Jonathan Roche, 11. Leolin Zas; 10. Yaqeen Ahmed, 9. Stefan Ungerer; 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. André-Hugo Venter, 3. Neethling Fouché, 4. Riley Norton, 5. JD Schickerling, 6. Siya Kolisi, 7. Louw Nel, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani. Replacements: 16. Vernon Paulo, 17. Vernon Matongo, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Adré Smith, 21. Wandile Mlaba, 22. Andre Warner, 23. Wandisile Simelane.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU).

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