McInally to start against Treviso

His move from the bench is one of eight changes to the starting XV who were edged by Cardiff Blues on Sunday at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. In another fallow RBS 6 Nations weekend, internationals Matt Scott (outside centre), Greig Tonks (stand-off) and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (scrum half) return to pull on the red and black jersey in the backs while Ben Toolis (lock) and Hamish Watson (openside) come back into the pack.

With Phil Burleigh picking up an injury last weekend, his place at inside centre is taken by Andries Strauss and Anton Bresler moves to the other side of the second row.

Going into the last six rounds of the league, just eight points separate Edinburgh, Scarlets and Connacht in the race for sixth place, and possible qualification for next season's European Champions Cup. Despite a comprehensive win over the Italian side when they visited BT Murrayfield in December, head coach Alan Solomons is under no illusions that Treviso are a different side when playing with home advantage.

He said: "We all appreciate the significance of this game and are aware of just how tough it's going to be as Treviso are a completely different kettle of fish at home.

"There's a real thread of determination and we are all looking forward to Saturday evening."

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Benetton Treviso, Saturday 7 March, Stadio Monigo, kick-off 7pm (local, 6pm UK)

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

1 Rory SUTHERLAND
2 Stuart MCINALLY
3 WP NEL
4 Anton BRESLER
5 Ben TOOLIS
6 Mike COMAN (captain)
7 Hamish WATSON
8 David DENTON


Substitutes
16 Neil COCHRANE
17 Grant SHIELLS
18 John ANDRESS
19 Ollie ATKINS
20 Roddy GRANT
21 Nathan FOWLES
22 Nick McLENNAN
23 Sam BEARD

Broadcast information
The match will be shown live on BBC Alba (from 17:55) with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and co-analyst Allan Dell, while an English commentary version, with Scott Hastings and John Beattie, is available on red button. The half-time feature this week is an interview with new Scotland cap and Edinburgh scrum-half, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

Sean Kennedy
Sean underwent surgery yesterday for an ongoing shoulder complaint and will be out of rugby for four to six months. He is under the care of consultants at Spire Murrayfield Hospital and the Edinburgh Rugby medical team. Everyone at Edinburgh wishes Sean well with his recovery.