Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons: European Challenge Cup preview
Last Updated: 17/04/15 7:52pm
Edinburgh have made five changes for Friday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against Newport Gwent Dragons at Murrayfield.
Having recorded a narrow victory at London Irish in the last-eight, Edinburgh crashed to a 34-3 home defeat in the Guinness PRO12 last weekend and head coach Alan Solomons has rung the changes.
Jack Cuthbert replaces the hamstrung Greig Tonks at full-back while Phil Burleigh moves from midfield to fly-half to partner the returning Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, with Sam Beard starting at outside centre.
The front five remain the same with Hamish Watson and Mike Coman coming into the back row and Roddy Grant moving to openside.
"This is a massive match for the team and the club,” said Solomons. “We are all aware of what is at stake and need to play accordingly.”
Edinburgh have lost both of their previous European meetings with the Dragons and the visitors make one change to the side that scored an impressive win over Leinster last Sunday.
Dan Way comes in at tighthead with Brok Harris moving across to loosehead as the Dragons attempt to reach their first ever European final.
Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 WP Nel, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Ben Toolis, 6 Stuart McInally, 7 Roddy Grant, 8 Mike Coman (c).
Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Cornell Du Preez, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Tom Brown.
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans; 1 Brok Harris, 2 T Rhys Thomas (c), 3 Dan Way, 4 James Thomas, 5 Cory Hill, 6 Nick Crosswell, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Phil Price, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Luc Jones, 22 Ashton Hewitt, 23 Geraint Rhys Jones.