Jason Tovey starts at fly-half for Edinburgh as they look to bounce back from last week’s Guinness PRO12 defeat to Leinster against Cardiff Blues at Myreside. What’s at stake? Defeat at home to Connacht in round 14 seriously hampered the Blues’ chances of a top-six finish, but they showed great resilience in their electric eight-try win over Benetton Treviso. Welsh rivals Scarlets and Ulster did them a favour in beating Glasgow Warriors in back-to-back games, but there remains an eight-point gap to Gregor Townsend’s side in sixth. A win against Edinburgh – while Glasgow face Ospreys at Liberty Stadium – would do wonders for their assault on the European Rugby Champions Cup spots. But in Edinburgh they face a team boosted by the news Richard Cockerill will be taking charge next year and not too heavily affected by international absence. Duncan Hodge has been able to name a settled side and with Connacht certainly not out of reach in eighth place, they have a huge carrot to perform after last week’s 39-10 defeat. Team news (Edinburgh): With Duncan Weir on Scotland duty, Tovey starts against his former club as Edinburgh look for a first Guinness PRO12 home win since their permanent move to Myreside. Neil Cochrane captains the side from hooker, with Ben Toolis and Fraser McKenzie in the second-row, as well as Scotland Test lock Grant Gilchrist among the replacements. Trio Cornell du Preez, Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury form a potent back row, while centres Chris Dean and Glenn Bryce have plenty of pace to burn. Team news (Cardiff Blues): Alex Cuthbert, exceptional in Blues’ 57-20 victory over Benetton Treviso last time out, starts on the wing as Wilson’s side look to bridge the gap with sixth-place Glasgow Warriors. Matthew Morgan and Tom James complete a lively back three, while Gareth Anscombe dons the No. 10 jersey alongside Lloyd Williams. Youngster Sion Bennett retains his spot on the openside, with big Nick Williams at No. 8 and Macauley Cook at blindside. Talking points: Duncan Hodge admitted his disappointment in his side’s 39-10 defeat at the hands of Leinster at the RDS in round 15, but urged his side to use that as motivation against the Blues. Edinburgh looked incredibly threatening for the first 40 minutes, but two Joey Carbery scores immediately after the break knocked the stuffing out of them and Hodge has demanded a harder edge to his young side. “There’s no hiding from the disappointment of last week’s result, but we need to put the defeat behind us and bounce back in tomorrow’s clash against Cardiff,” he said. “We didn’t make the most of the chances we created last week and that hurt us. It’s crucial that we learn from those mistakes and are more clinical this time around. “We’re back at home and that’ll prove as a big boost for the side going into this encounter. We want to make amends for last week’s result in front of our supporters and give them something to cheer about.” Key battle:Cornell du Preez v Nick Williams Two powerful, abrasive No. 8s that are absolutely critical to their sides’ supply of fast, front-foot ball. Williams was exceptional against Treviso last time out, while Du Preez rarely has a bad game in Edinburgh colours. With the likes of Damien Hoyland, Tom James and Alex Cuthbert out wide, neither side are short of finishers. But whether it is Williams or Du Preez coming out on top in the gainline battle will dictate who has the opportunities to finish off. Key stat: Cardiff Blues have lost just one of their last eight fixtures with Edinburgh Rugby: 13-28 at Murrayfield in November 2014. Did you know? Edinburgh’s overall record at Myreside in the Guinness PRO12 is won two, lost three, with their most recent victory at the venue being against Ospreys two years ago, while the Blues have never played at Myreside before. Edinburgh: Top points scorer: 79 – Duncan Weir Top try scorer: 5 – Magnus Bradbury Cardiff Blues: Top points scorer: 106 – Steve Shingler Top try scorer: 6 – Tom James Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 27, Edinburgh won 10, Blues won 17 At Myreside, 7.05pm Live on BBC Sport Scotland and BBC Wales Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 49th competition game) Assistant Referees: Mark Patton (IRFU), Cammy Rudkin (SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU) TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)
