Wing Malelili Satala will make his Edinburgh Rugby debut as one of six changes to the starting line-up for tomorrow night’s Investec Champions Cup final pool stage fixture against Bath Rugby at The Rec (Friday 16 January, kick-off 8pm) – live on Premier Sports.
Satala’s start on the wing headlines a refreshed but experienced matchday squad for the cross-border clash, with the summer signing stepping in for the injured Duhan van der Merwe (calf).
The selection marks a poignant runout for the 21-year-old, who was born in the Scottish capital while his father, former Fijian international Apolosi ‘Apo’ Satala, was representing the club.
Now, more than two decades after his father became Edinburgh player #1048, Satala junior is set to continue the family legacy on one of rugby’s biggest stages.
Joining Satala in the starting XV, Scotland international Harry Paterson makes a timely return from injury to start at full-back in place of the rested Wes Goosen, while Piers O’Conor slots into the midfield for the injured Matt Currie (hamstring).
In the pack, British & Irish hooker Ewan Ashman gets the nod over Harri Morris after his try-scoring performance last weekend.
Explosive Scotland international Ben Muncaster (number 8) and Tom Dodd (blinside flanker) start in the back-row in place of the rested Magnus Bradbury and Liam McConnell.
Scrum-half Ben Vellacott will captain the side in Bradbury’s absence.
It is a high-stakes European encounter at The Rec as Edinburgh look to leapfrog Pool 2 leaders Bath and secure a place in the knockout stages.
Though numerous pool permutations could still see the capital side through to the knockout rounds, Sean Everitt’s men are focused on the simplest path: winning on the road to take total control of their European destiny.
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We are really excited to give Malelili [Satala] his chance tomorrow night. He is a player with genuine x-factor and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the jersey on such a massive stage. He’s worked hard for this opportunity.
“While we’ve had to manage the load after a massive physical shift from the group, this selection is a testament to the depth we’ve built here. We’re bringing in players who have been knocking on the door and training at a high level, and they now have the platform to make a real statement.”
He continued: “We know exactly what is at stake regarding the knockout stages and we are under no illusions about how strong a team Bath are, particularly at home.
“However, the boys are incredibly hungry for this challenge and are looking forward to representing Edinburgh at such an iconic ground in a real European showdown.”
In the back-three, debutant Satala is joined by British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham and the returning Paterson, while James Lang continues at inside-centre, partnered by O’Conor in the midfield.
Ross Thompson is once again selected at fly-half, forming the half-back pairing with the ever-electric Vellacott.
The front-row sees loosehead James Whitcombe – impressive in the win over Gloucester – and tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty pack down either side of Ashman, as locks Callum Hunter-Hill and Glen Young complete the tight-five.
In the back-row, Dodd and Muncaster are joined by 20-year-old flanker Freddy Douglas, who retains his spot at openside after a defensive masterclass against Gloucester that saw him win five turnover penalties and named Investec Player of the Match.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Bath Rugby at The Rec in the Investec Champions Cup Friday 16 January (kick-off 8pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Harry Paterson (21)
14. Darcy Graham (90)
13. Piers O’Conor (10)
12. James Lang (84)
11. Malelili Satala*
10. Ross Thompson (33)
9. Ben Vellacott CAPTAIN (85)
1. James Whitcombe (3)
2. Ewan Ashman (46)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (7)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (27)
5. Glen Young (58)
6. Tom Dodd (18)
7. Freddy Douglas (15)
8. Ben Muncaster (51)
Replacements
16. Harri Morris (12)
17. Mikey Jones (3)
18. Paul Hill (25)
19. Euan McVie (1)
20. Connor Boyle (44)
21. Charlie Shiel (83)
22. Ben Healy (41)
23. Jack Brown (7)
Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Tom Currie (knee), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Marshall Sykes (arm), Findlay Thomson (hand), Boan Venter (neck), Dylan Richardson (ribs), Grant Gilchrist (quad), Conor McAlpine (hamstring), Matt Currie (hamstring), Duhan van der Merwe (calf), Pierre Schoeman (rest), Magnus Bradbury (rest), Liam McConnell (rest), Wes Goosen (rest).
High Beam
Bails, the horizontal pegs that sit on top of the stumps, are not attached to the top surface. Instead, they rest on shallow grooves on the free ends of the stumps. Bails are critical for determining if the wicket has been put down or broken. This in turn will help identify the status of the batsman, if he has been run out, out bowled, or stumped.
DragonBlood
The Webb Ellis Cup is awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup. The trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, who is credited with inventing the game of rugby when he picked up a soccer ball and ran with it during a match at Rugby School in England in 1823.