Edinburgh welcome fullback Greig Tonks back into their side for tonight’s European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.
He is 1 of 2 changes made by head coach Alan Solomons, who also brings Cornell Du Preez in at eighthman.
Greig Laidlaw, who was 1 of a number of players rested for Gloucester’s Premiership fixture against Newcastle, returns to face his former club.
Billy Twelvetrees captains the Cherry and Whites, while Richard Hibbard and James Hook also come back in.
Gloucester, appearing in their 1st European Challenge Cup final since 2006, overcame Exeter Chiefs in the last 4 at Kingsholm.
Edinburgh, meanwhile, are the 1st Scottish team to contest a European showpiece, having secured a comfortable win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the semi-finals.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “We all want to be involved in successful teams, we all want to be involved in cup finals and winning trophies, and we probably didn’t expect to get this stage this year.
“But we know the quality within the group that, on it’s day, can compete with anybody.
“Being involved in a final is great – but we want to win the final.”
Teams
Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Sam Beard 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Mike Coman (Captain), 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Tom Brown.
Gloucester: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 Jonny May, 13 Bill Meakes, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Captain), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 James Hook, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Tom Savage, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Nick Wood
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Sila Puafisi , 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Billy Burns , 23 Steve McColl.
Kick-Off: 18:45 GMT, 19:45 BST, 20:45 SA Time
bbc
Edinburgh running strongly and passing well but eventually it ends up in a scrum for Glo.
75th min Gloucester still lead by 6, time running out for Edinburgh
Gloucester lineout which they win and start to maul it up then pass to Hook who runs into Edinburgh 22 where he is tackled
Gloucester playing down the clock taking it back into the forwards phase after phase
Play midway between Edi 10m and 22 with Gloucester still in possesion
Gloucester controlling play well and eventually get a kickable penalty with less than a minute left on the clock, should be game over
Johnny May is man of the match
Laidlaw misses but Gloucester win. Well done Gloucester, did well to hold on for the win with one player less for much of the 2nd half.
Final score: Edinburgh 13/19 Gloucester. Disappointment for Edinburgh but smiles all round for Gloucester.
Brian O’Driscoll and co presenter interviewing Greg Laidlaw for BT Sport.
Not sure why Laidlaw is being interviewed as 12trees is the captain. As I write this they grab Hibbard and start interviewing him as well.
Cornell du Preez put in two try saving last ditch tap tackles in the first half, had he not got them then Gloucester may well have been out of sight by half time already. du Preez played the whole game which surprised me as he has only featured off the bench in Edinburgh’s last two games having been off for a number of months injured before then.
Presentation time and 12trees lifts the Challenge Cup.
Gloucester win their 2nd European Challenge Cup, won their first one in 2006. Good night.
So Toulon won the Champions Cup. Final score:
Clermon Auvergne 18/24 Toulon
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