Three changes to 1872 Cup winning side

Moving up from the bench, Willem Nel replaces John Andress at tighthead. Roddy Grant moves to the blindside with Hamish Watson - who returned to action after injury, from the bench last Friday - coming into the starting XV on the openside in place of Mike Coman, who is being rested. Ross Ford will captain the side.

There are no changes to the backs while coming on to the bench, and potentially making his first appearance for the club, is Scottish-qualified triallist stand-off Jade Te Rure.

After Connacht edged Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield - the club's only home defeat this season - the visitors will be looking to redress the balance however as Connacht have won three of their last four encounters with Edinburgh, the task in hand should not be underestimated.

Head coach Alan Solomons said: "We have taken note of Connacht's victory over Munster and their unbeaten home record and appreciate that we will have to be at our best to come away with the spoils."

The match will be show live on TG4 and deferred, in full, on BBC Alba from 9.30pm. Gaelic commentary will be from Derek Mackay with English summarising from Jamie Farndale. There will also be English commentary on the red button option, from Paul Mitchell and Scott Hastings.

Edinburgh Rugby v Connacht, The Sportsground, Friday 9 January 2015, kick-off 7.35pm

15 Jack CUTHBERT
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Matt SCOTT
12 Phil BURLEIGH
11 Tim VISSER
10 Greig TONKS
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Alasdair DICKINSON
2 Ross FORD (Captain)
3 WP NEL
4 Anton BRESLER
5 Ben TOOLIS
6 Roddy GRANT
7 Hamish WATSON
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Neil COCHRANE
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Fraser McKENZIE
20 Tomas LEONARDI
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Jade TE RURE
23 Andries STRAUSS

Injury update
Players currently on the injured list are: Wicus Blaauw (knee), Tom Brown (head), Allan Dell (leg), Cornell Du Preez (leg), Jamie Farndale (knee), Hugh Fraser (knee), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Brett Thompson (shoulder) and George Turner (hamstring).