Kings vs Edinburgh, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 17:15 - Fri 1.12.17

Head coach Richard Cockerill has welcomed back six members of Scotland’s successful Autumn Tests squad for tomorrow night’s Guinness PRO14 encounter with the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth (Friday 1 December, kick-off 7.15pm local time / 5.15pm GMT).

In the backs, Phil Burleigh returns to partner James Johnstone in the centre after making his international debut off the bench in last Saturday’s record 53-24 win over Australia at BT Murrayfield.

In the pack, Simon Berghan links up with hooker Neil Cochrane and fellow international prop Rory Sutherland who makes his first start of the season at loosehead.

In the second-row, Grant Gilchrist also returns from Scotland duty having come on as a replacement against the All Blacks and starting in the eight-try rout of Australia. He partners club captain Fraser Mckenzie.

Fijian international Viliame Mata keeps his place in the back-row and is joined by the experienced duo of Jamie Ritchie and Cornell du Preez, both of whom joined the squad in South Africa following their contribution to Scotland’s Autumn Test campaign.

On his team selection, Richard Cockerill said: “I’m delighted to have some of the Scotland guys come out and add to the squad. There’s obviously a good vibe around what they’ve achieved over the last few weeks, so you’d like to think that will have a ripple effect on what they do now they’re back with us.

"The Kings are a dangerous team. They have a lot of pace in their back three, are very lively at fly half, and as you would imagine, have a big forward pack. We’ve worked hard again this week and are going into the game with a positive mindset around how we’re going to play.

"These points are going to be important when the season comes around to qualifying for Europe or trying to push for a top-three spot if we can. We won’t be taking the Kings lightly however. They pushed Ulster and Scarlets all the way in their last few games so we’ve got to get things right on Friday night."



Edinburgh team to face Southern Kings in the Guinness PRO14 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday 1 December (kick-off 7.15pm local time / 5.15pm GMT)



15. Blair Kinghorn (52)



14. Dougie Fife (92)

13. James Johnstone (9)

12. Phil Burleigh (65)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (1)



10. Jaco van der Walt (1)

9. Nathan Fowles (43)



1. Rory Sutherland (52)

2. Neil Cochrane (60)

3. Simon Berghan (40)

4. Fraser McKenzie (89) CAPTAIN

5. Grant Gilchrist (107)

6. Viliame Mata (21)

7. Jamie Ritchie (37)

8. Cornell du Preez (90)



Replacements: 16 Cameron Fenton (2), 17 Michele Rizzo (7), 18 Murray McCallum (25), 19 Ben Toolis (76), 20 Luke Crosbie (6), 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (93), 22 Chris Dean (51), 23 Glenn Bryce (29

RDW_Scotland wrote:I suspect there won't be much for us to talk about as this isn't on TV!

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'd be amazed if they flew out a commentator - they probably just sit in BBC headquarters watching it on TV. It's not like they would need to be there to sample the atmosphere in the stadium!

nickj wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'd be amazed if they flew out a commentator - they probably just sit in BBC headquarters watching it on TV. It's not like they would need to be there to sample the atmosphere in the stadium!

Well, you've just bust my romantic view of TV coverage. I'd imagined the commentator's having a wee jolly and feeding lions.

EWT Spoons wrote:With regards to Alba not showing it, they're showing the Glasgow game, which kicks off later in the evening, they probably have some kind of guidelines to suggest that two rugby games of an evening would be too much so had to pick one.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just watched the game in full - I thought it was a pretty good Edinburgh performance but scrappy at times.

We started like a runaway train and scored 3 quick tries. The second was a beauty with Mata galloping in from halfway after a lovely offload from kinghorn, was his usual attacking threat throughout.

We then had our usual mid game slump, but managed to pull it back in the last 20 minutes with SHC providing real impact off the bench (and bagging an assist and 7 minute hattrick all from close range.)

Up front our scrum was strong and Gilchrist put in s big shift. CDP and Ritchie had quiet games but Mata was fantastic - these are the conditions he thrives in to be fair!

In the backs Van Der Valt had a decent game at 10 and should be given a run of games now. He's a good attacker with a solid all round skillset, although his goal kicking isn't great. Burleigh had a strong game and adds real class in midfield. JJ was disappointingly quiet.

The new winger VDM had a bad game and was subbed off - some basic errors and got smashed back a few times in contact. He certainly shouldn't be written off but he's got to play a lot better than that.

A final word on the kings - they really weren't great. Some good athletes but a bad basic skillset. They just need to survive this season and regroup in the summer and hopefully they'll be more competitive next year.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Yeah I really don't know why SHC isn't our regular kicker - when he was he was one of the best kickers in the league. Tovey definitely isn't a better kicker for example but he tends to be our first choice kicker.

SHC took over kicking duties when he came on so if he stars (which I think he should) then I'm assuming he'll kick.