Finn Russell returns for Bath as Edinburgh welcome back Scottish trio for Challenge Cup semi-final
Bath fly-half Finn Russell and an inset of Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh and Bath teams for the Challenge Cup semi-finals have been named, with both teams bolstered by the return of international stars.
The Premiership outfit are bidding to secure a place in their first European final since 2014, while Edinburgh last featured in a Challenge Cup finale in 2015.
Scotland stars boost Edinburgh
Edinburgh Head Coach Sean Everitt has welcomed Scotland trio Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Jamie Ritchie back into the starting XV, with captain Grant Gilchrist and Wes Goosen added to the run-on team after cameos off the bench last week.
Schoeman and Ashman start alongside D’arcy Rae in the front row with Gilchrist leading the side from the second row, partnering Sam Skinner.
Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury round out the pack starting at blindside, openside and number eight respectively.
Ross Thompson again starts with Ali Price in the halfbacks with James Lang and Matt Currie continuing their centre partnership.
Goosen slots in at full-back as Harry Paterson switches to wing with Darcy Graham rounding out the starting backline.
Everitt has opted for the traditional 5-3 split on the bench, including forwards Paddy Harrison, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster (44) as well as backs Charlie Shiel, Ben Healy and Mosese Tuipulotu.
Spencer captains Bath
Meanwhile, Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has also reinforced his team with internationals.
Beno Obano returns at loosehead forming a powerful front row with hooker Tom Dunn and Beno Obano while Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels combine in the second row.
Miles Reid shifts to the number eight jumper with Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper named on the flanks. Ben Spencer skippers the side from scrum-half combining with Finn Russell at number ten while Will Butt and Cameron Redpath in the centres.
Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga have recovered from a head knock and injury, respectively to start on the wings as Tom de Glanville completes the starting XV at fullback.
Van Graan has selected a 6-2 split on the bench featuring forwards Niall Annett, Francois van Wyk, Will Stuart, Ross Molony, Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary. Louis Schreuder and Ciaran Donoghue provide backline cover.
Edinburgh v Bath teams
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Harry Paterson, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Glen Young, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Cameron Redpath, 12 Will Butt, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 8 Miles Reid, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Alfie Barbeary
Venue: Hive Stadium
Date: Saturday, 3 May
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (Fra) and Craig Evans (Wal)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Broadcasters: Premier Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport, FloRugby
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