Duhan van der Merwe returns but Darcy Graham out of URC clash
Edinburgh will pay tribute to the late Lions forward Hyron Andrews during Friday’s match against the South African side by asking their supporters to stand and applaud in the fifth minute of the game at Hive Stadium.
Andrews, 31, died last week at the team’s hotel in France while they were preparing for their Investec Champions Cup match against La Rochelle.
The Lions have requested that there be no minute’s silence before the United Rugby Championship match in Edinburgh but the hosts will pay tribute five minutes in, five being the number worn by the lock forward.
Unassuming, well-mannered and very humble
Sean Everitt, Edinburgh’s head coach, worked with Andrews at the Sharks and remembers him fondly.
“Hyron was an unassuming character, well-mannered, respected by every member of his team, and very humble,” Everitt said.
“He was incredibly polite and very popular. He was called Ice Man for a reason — he was always chilled and relaxed. He was a good man.”
While there was surprise in some quarters when the Lions went ahead with their game against La Rochelle last Saturday, the Johannesburg side believe that playing is the best way to honour Andrews.
“There's no manual for how you deal with tragedies like this within a team,” said Everitt. “I suppose you do have two choices. One, you can step back and spend time mourning and getting over it. The other way is to celebrate the life of Hyron and look at life through his eyes and what he would have liked.
“I think the Lions have chosen to go that route, which is brilliant. They've shown tremendous courage and bravery to have got through that game on Saturday and, on top of that, put in a really good performance.”
Duhan van der Merwe in, Darcy Graham out
Emotions are sure to be raw but Everitt hopes both squads can sit together after the match and share a drink in Andrews' memory.
Duhan van der Merwe has been named in the Edinburgh starting side for the first time this season but there is no place for Darcy Graham who experienced some tightness in his calf after making his comeback from an arm injury in last week’s home defeat by Toulon.
“It's not serious at all,” said Everitt. “It's pointless to risk him this week, especially with perhaps a Scotland call-up in November and perhaps a game against Benetton next week.”
Van der Merwe’s return is a welcome boost, with the powerful winger having recovered from a long-standing ankle problem.
“He seems to be training full of confidence,” said Everitt. “He's brought a bit of energy around the squad as well.”
Mal Satala has dropped out to make way for van der Merwe and Geordie Gwynn has been recalled after coming off the bench and scoring a try against Toulon.
Up front, flanker Freddy Douglas is missing due to a concussion sustained in training. Tom Currie moves from six to seven to cover his absence, with Liam McConnell returning at six.
Grant Gilchrist starts in the second-row in place of Callum Hunter-Hill and Marshall Sykes is in line to make his 100th Edinburgh appearance after being named on the bench. Joining him among the replacements is Harry Paterson who has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up in pre-season.
Teams for Edinburgh Rugby v 10Bet Lions
BKT United Rugby Championship round 4, Hive Stadium, Friday, 7.45pm.
Edinburgh: 15. Piers O’Conor; 14. Geordie Gwynn, 13. Matt Currie (co-capt), 12. Mosese Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe; 10. James Grayson, 9. Hector Patterson; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4. Glen Young, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Tom Currie, 8. Magnus Bradbury (co-capt). Replacements: 16. Harri Morris, 17. Jamie Stewart, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Marshall Sykes, 20. Tom Dodd, 21. Conor McAlpine, 22. Cammy Scott, 23. Harry Paterson.
Lions: 15. Quan Horn (capt); 14. Kelly Mpeku, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Bronson Mills, 11. Erich Cronje; 10. Chris Smith, 9. Nico Steyn; 1. Boan Venter, 2. Morne Brandon, 3. Conraad van Vuuren, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 5. Ruan Delport, 6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Batho Hlekani, 8. Francke Horne. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. SJ Kotze, 18. RF Schoeman, 19. Dylan Sjoblom, 20. Siba Mahashe, 21. Zian Cilliers, 22. Richard Kriel, 23. Boeta Chamberlain.
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU).
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