Grant Gilchrist has signed a new deal to stay at Edinburgh next season, ending speculation that he was set to move to England or France. The international lock is currently out injured, but expects to be fully fit in time to take part in the summer's pre-season preparations. 

Meanwhile, Jason Tovey, the stand-off who joined Edinburgh last week on loan from the Dragons, will make his debut for the team in tomorrow night’s PRO12 match against Zebre at Murrayfield. Tovey will play at 10 alongside Sean Kennedy, who has been promoted to the starting 15 in place of Scotland international scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who is on the bench.

In the pack, Mike Coman returns to the back row to make his 50th appearance for the capital club. Allan Dell and Will Helu come on to the bench, while Scotland openside flanker John Hardie remains on the injury list.

Edinburgh (v Zebre at Murrayfield, Friday 7.35pm): B Kinghorn; D Hoyland, M Allen, P Burleigh, T Brown; J Tovey, S Kennedy; A Dickinson, R Ford, W Nel, A Bresler, B Toolis, M Coman, H Watson, C du Preez. Substitutes: S McInally, A Dell, J Andress, A Toolis, M Bradbury, S Hidalgo-Clyne, C Dean, W Helu.