Many happy returns as Edinburgh meet Cardiff

Winger Tom Brown, who has had a lengthy lay-off since sustaining a knee injury against Munster last season, returns to the XV along with lock Ollie Atkins, who had an ankle injury and captain, Mike Coman. Flanker Roddy Grant, who has made a speedy recovery following a broken cheekbone, and Sam Beard, who was concussed, were both casualties in Edinburgh's injury-strewn encounter with Lyon last month and return to the starting line-up.

Coming on to the bench, after six months away from the game due to shoulder surgery, is centre Matt Scott, while lock Fraser McKenzie and hooker Neil Cochrane return following knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Scott, speaking exclusively to Edinburgh Rugby TV, said: "I'm delighted to be named in the squad. It's been a long six months and I've found it tough to sit on the sidelines.

"Rehab's gone really well and I'm happy that both my shoulders are in good enough condition to come back and play. It's taken a lot of hard work, especially from the physio team."

Watching Edinburgh's injury list increase, while seeing the team rise to the challenge and post back-to-back European victories hasn't made easy viewing for Scott.

He said: "Especially when the guys are winning and playing well it's tough - it got harder when the season started and I found it quite difficult to watch.

"I just wanted to get out there and help the guys."

Watch the full interview here.

In all, there are seven changes to the team that started against Leinster at the RDS last month, before the international break. In addition to those previously mentioned, prop Rory Sutherland replaces Allan Dell, injured during the encounter in Dublin, and Ben Toolis returns at lock.

Coming on to the bench, as well as Scott, McKenzie and Cochrane, are scrum half Grayson Hart and new signing, prop Grant Shiells.

Head coach Alan Solomons said: "It is good to have a number of players returning from injury, particularly bearing in mind our heavy injury list.

"It is great to have Matt back in the mix. I appreciate that it will take him and the others returning from long-term injuries two or three games to get back into the swing of things.

"However the fact is we are happy to have them back and everyone is looking forward to Sunday's match."

Edinburgh Rugby team v Cardiff Blues, BT Murrayfield, Sunday 23 November (k/o 4pm)

15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Sam BEARD
12 Andries STRAUSS
11 Tom BROWN
10 Tom HEATHCOTE
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Rory SUTHERLAND
2 James HILTERBRAND
3 Willem NEL
4 Ollie ATKINS
5 Ben TOOLIS
6 Mike COMAN (Captain)
7 Roddy GRANT
8 David DENTON

Substitutes

16 Neil COCHRANE
17 Grant SHIELLS
18 John ANDRESS
19 Fraser McKENZIE
20 Tomas LEONARDI
21 Grayson HART
22 Greig TONKS
23 Matt SCOTT