Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons has called on his side to transfer their performances in Europe into the GUINNESS PRO12 when they face Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday.

Solomons’ men recorded convincing victories over Grenoble and Agen in the European Challenge Cup in the last couple of weeks but are currently seventh in the GUINNESS PRO12 after losing their previous three league matches.

And he told Edinburgh’s website: “Following two good wins in Europe, we now need to channel our focus on a positive transition to PRO12 duties, starting against the Dragons tomorrow.

“We have trained well in the run-up to this game, and now need to ensure that our efforts on the training paddock prove fruitful against a tough opposition.”

Solomons has made five changes to his starting XV, and two additional positional changes, as half-backs Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Phil Burleigh return and Greig Tonks is shifted to full-back.

Young centre Chris Dean is back, with Will Helu moving to wing, and Alex Toolis and captain Mike Coman also slot back in to the second row and back row respectively.

Mike Allen, who injured his shoulder after arriving from Ulster, is in line to make his debut from the bench.

Edinburgh's only defeat at BT Murrayfield so far this season was against Munster in the last round of the GUINNESS PRO12.
Newport Gwent Dragons have managed just two victories in the opening seven rounds of the GUINNESS PRO12, both at home to Italian opponents.

The Welsh region have not been victorious on the road since a trip to Treviso in March whilst their only victory in Scotland since 2012 was against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun two years ago.

The Men from Gwent ended a five-game losing streak to Edinburgh in all tournaments with their 19-5 victory at Rodney Parade in round 21 last season but have not won at BT Murrayfield since March 2012.

Wales wing Tom Prydie is set to return to the Dragons’ side after suffering a knee injury against Leinster in October.

Prydie joins Ashton Hewitt and full-back Carl Meyer in the back three, with Adam Hughes and Adam Warren at centre, and Dorian Jones and Charlie Davies as half-backs.

Boris Stankovich returns to the front row, joining fellow prop Shaun Knight and Elliot Dee.

The second row includes Matthew Screech and skipper Rynard Landman and No. 8 Ed Jackson, who failed a late fitness test last weekend, is in the back row along with flankers Nick Crosswell and Ollie Griffiths.

Newport Gwent Dragons go into the match at BT Murrayfield on the back of a 30-12 win at home to Sale Sharks and a narrow 29-32 defeat away at Castres in the European Challenge Cup.

Prydie told the Dragons’ website: “It's similar to last year with Europe as a fresh page and we have performed well.

"The boys have been playing really well and it will be good for the squad to get back up to full strength soon. When the likes of Hallam (Amos) and Tyler Morgan to come back, we can really push on up the league."

At BT Murrayfield 7.35pm. Live on BBC Scotland and BBC Wales
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 44th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White, Cammy Rudkin (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Iain Goodall (SRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)