EDINBURGH coach Alan Solomons has made four changes to his starting line-up for tomorrow night’s European Challenge Cup match against Agen in France. In the backs, Tongan international winger Otulea Katoa makes his first start while Sean Kennedy comes in at scrum-half, replacing Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who is being rested after playing in the team’s last five games.
In the pack Fraser McKenzie returns at second row and Nasi Manu starts at blindside. Tom Brown has switched wings to accommodate Katoa.
Edinburgh, who reached the final of the competition last season, got this year’s campaign off to a winning start at home to Grenoble last Friday night. “Our satisfaction in last week’s win was obviously tinged with sorrow at the events which unfolded in Paris towards the end of the game,” Solomons said. “We know the atmosphere at Friday’s game will be emotionally charged and will respect our hosts in reflecting on those involved.
“Our focus will be on our match and our performance. While we took the win over FC Grenoble, there were parts of our game where we fell short, and we’ve worked hard in training to improve those areas. Although Agen lost away from home to London Irish last weekend, we know that French teams are a different animal in front of their home support and know we’ll need to really put in a performance on Friday.”
Edinburgh have met Agen twice before, losing both pool games in the Heineken Cup in the 2006-07 season.
Edinburgh (v Agen at the Stade Armandie, Friday, 6.30pm GMT): D Fife; T Brown, W Helu, M Scott, O Katoa; G Tonks, S Kennedy; A Dickinson, R Ford, WP Nel, A Bresler, F McKenzie, N Manu, J Hardie, C du Preez. Substitutes: N Cochrane, R Sutherland, S Berghan, A Toolis, J Ritchie, N Fowles, B Kinghorn, C Dean.
Agen: F Tardieu; L Tagotago, P Fouyssac, J Heriteau, F Nakosi; F Bouvier, C Darbo; Q Bethune, M Barthomeuf, N Chocou, J-B Roidot, L Bastien, S Tau, A Miquel, M Baget. Substitutes: F Dufour, V Afatia, D Ryan, C Braendlin, F Vergnon, B Cadiou, T Guillimin, B Sicart.
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