Edinburgh have made the perfect start to life under Richard Cockerill, with victories over Cardiff Blues and the Dragons. At Myreside on Friday night at 7.30pm they will look to make it three from three when they play host to Benetton Rugby. What’s at stake? Cockerill was very honest about where he thought his side stood coming into the season, but they have got off to a flying start with nine points from two games before hosting Benetton. The Italian side were well-beaten at Munster on the opening weekend, but pushed Ulster all the way in round two, eventually having to settle for a losing bonus point. Team news (Edinburgh): Edinburgh have made six changes to the side that beat the Dragons with Nathan Fowles the only change to the backs at scrum-half. In the front row Ross Ford and Simon Berghan both come in for their first starts of the season, while in the back row, skipper Magnus Bradbury shifts to blindside flanker. That opens a spot for Cornell du Preez to play at No.8, while John Hardie gets the nod at openside. In the second row Anton Bresler partners Ben Toolis. Team news (Benetton Rugby): Benetton have also rung the changes, with Edoardo Gori coming in a scrum-half for Tito Tebaldi. In the front row Alberto de Marchi, Engjel Makelara and Tiziano Pasquali all come in, while Abraham Steyn and Dean Budd get the nod in the back row. Talking points: Edinburgh have now won four in a row in the Guinness PRO14, dating back to last season. They have not won five straight in the competition since 2009 but under Cockerill, they look to be hitting some form. Benetton, for their part, have struggled on the road in recent seasons, but did win the last time these teams met. Key Battle: In Ben Toolis, Edinburgh have one of the most dominant lineout jumpers in the competition, and last season’s top target. On Friday night he will go up against Federico Ruzza, who joined Benetton from Zebre over the summer. Capable of playing in the second row or the back row, the young Italian international should have the athleticism to challenge Toolis at the set-piece. Key stat: Benetton Rugby have won five of their 14 encounters with Edinburgh, including the last time the sides met in Treviso last season. Their last win away to Edinburgh came back in 2012. Did you know? Edinburgh winger Damien Hoyland will be making his 50th appearance for the side after being named on the right wing. He has scored 17 tries to date for the side. Edinburgh: B Kinghorn; D Hoyland, C Dean, R Fruean, J Harries; D Weir, N Fowles; M Rizzo, R Ford, S Berghan; A Bresler, B Toolis; M Bradbury, J Hardie, C du Preez. Replacements: N Cochrane, D Marfo, WP Nel, F McKenzie, H Watson, S Hidalgo-Clyne, J Tovey, J Rasolea. Benetton Rugby: J Hayward; A Esposito, A Sgarbi, T Allan, T Benvenuti; I McKinley, E Gori; A de Marchi, E Makelara, T Pasquali; M Lazzaroni, F Ruzza; F Minto, A Steyn, D Budd. Replacements: F Zani, C Traore, S Ferrari, M Fuser, M Barbini, G Bronzini, L Sperandio, M Zanon. Match officials – Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU). Assistant Referee 1: Lloyd Linton (SRU). AR2: Mark Patton (SRU). Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 53rd competition game) AR1: Lloyd Linton (SRU). AR2: Dunx McClement (SRU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
