Free-scoring Scotland duo return for Edinburgh Rugby but two ruled out of Toulon clash

Back-rowers Ben Muncaster and Tom Currie both picked up knee injuries in the 19-17 win over the Ospreys last week and neither will be available this weekend.

It’s particularly tough on Muncaster who made his first start of the season against the Welsh side after recovering from an ankle issue. “He hasn't had much luck,” acknowledged Sean Everitt, the Edinburgh head coach.

Everitt is hopeful he'll be fit for next week, describing the knee knock as a “tweak” to the player’s medial collateral ligament. Currie’s injury is more serious and the No 8 - who scored a try against the Ospreys - is likely to be out for “a few weeks” according to the coach.

Eight tries between them

The better news is the availability of Graham and Ashman who were both rested last week after each played three Tests for Scotland across the autumn series. While it was a disappointing campaign for the national side, the Edinburgh duo weighed in with eight tries between them.

Ashman scored five to take his international tally to 14 and he is now the top try-scoring forward in Scottish rugby history for the men’s side, moving ahead of the great John Jeffrey. Graham, meanwhile, bagged a hat-trick against the USA to move on to 34 and is one behind Duhan van der Merwe on the all-time list.

“Darcy Graham is available as well as Ewan Ashman,” confirmed Everitt. “We're not resting this weekend. We want to try and pick the best team that's available to us on Sunday.”

Toulon sit third in the Top 14, five points behind leaders Toulouse, and enjoyed a 54-28 win over Montauban on Saturday. While they are well placed to challenge for the title, their away form has been a little sketchy and they have not won on the road since the opening weekend of the French season when they defeated Montpellier.

A team with a European pedigree

Having said that, they have an excellent European pedigree having won the Champions Cup three years in a row from 2013-15 and they also lifted the Challenge Cup in 2023, beating Glasgow Warriors in the final.

It will be Edinburgh’s first appearance in Europe’s top-tier club competition in three years and Everitt said there was an air of anticipation around the club.

“I think the guys are excited to be back in the Champions Cup, one of the biggest competitions in the world, playing against the best opposition in the Top 14. It's great to be able to measure yourself against the French competition. At the same time, for us, it's a good benchmark to see where we are and how important this win will be if we want to make the last 16 in the competition.”

The top four from each pool make it through to the round of 16 and Edinburgh will also meet Castres (away), Gloucester (home) and Bath (away) in the group phase.

Everitt expects a tough test against Toulon’s “massive pack” and also identified full-back Melvyn Jaminet as a threat.

“Melvyn Jaminet is a kingpin for them,” said the coach. “He's good under the high ball and has got a good kicking game. But one-versus-one, they are a dangerous team. They like to keep the ball moving. They're big on the continuity to be able to pick off individuals. So it's going to be a good day defensively for us, but we need to play at speed at home.”