Internationals can give side edge over French opposition

Richard Cockerill hopes the return of Edinburgh’s World Cup players will help his side conquer Agen tonight.

Scotland internationals Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist and Jamie Ritchie are involved in club action for the first time since featuring for Gregor Townsend’s side in Japan.

And Cockerill hopes their presence will give his side the edge over their French Challenge Cup rivals as they get their Pool 3 campaign under way.

Cockerill said: “We’ve got a strong squad and that is reflected in our team selection.

“We have been able to rotate back in a number of our Scotland internationalists to the forward pack.

“They bring quality and that added experience, which is always needed when travelling away in Europe.

“A number of guys get their opportunity in the back line and we’re excited to see how they perform against a quality opposition in Agen.

“We know we’ll be up against a really tough and physically dominant side, who will be keen to get their European campaign off to the best possible start, but we’ve prepared well and come into Friday’s match with plenty of confidence across the board.”

Cockerill has made 12 changes in total for the Stade Armandie clash.

Damien Hoyland returns at full-back as Jamie Farndale and Fiji international Eroni Sau combine on the flanks.

Outside centre James Johnstone – who makes just his second appearance of the season – is paired with George Taylor in midfield, while scrum-half Charlie Shiel and stand-off Simon Hickey form a new-look half-back pairing.

Hooker Cameron Fenton packs down alongside props Jamie Bhatti and Berghan in the front-row, with Gilchrist – who skippers the side – and Sam Thomson named at locks.

Number eight Nick Haining anchors a back-row that sees John Barclay and Ritchie named at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

Richard Cockerill has his World Cup players.