He will see the latest injury misfortune to befall the hapless Ben Muncaster Edinburgh The back rower was out for 10 weeks, ruling him out of the November series in Scotland Nations Championship matches.
The Muncaster will undergo surgery on the ankle damage he suffered in his return two weeks ago in Edinburgh’s final pre-season game against Harlequins.
24 year old Scotland cap will miss at least the next five major club games leading into the international window, starting with Friday’s home URC clash with the Stormers, and is unlikely to return to action until December.
A breakout season in 2024-25 saw Muncaster make his Test debut against Portugal and win two more appearances as a substitute against France at the end of the Six Nations (after missing the opening rounds with an ankle problem) and Samoa on their summer tour.
But he was limited to just 10 games last season, a back problem delaying his start to the campaign before he suffered a knee injury in his first start in late November and then a season-ending ankle ligament injury in early April.
He returned to the game as a substitute against Quins on 18 September, only to be sent off again soon after.
“It was very bad for him,” Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said. “I haven’t been in a franchise where a guy has been that devastated. It happens every now and then.
“Unfortunately, he was unlucky. I think when this is over, hopefully that will be the end and he can move on and get some consistency on the field.”
With Scotland wing Darcy Graham already ruled out until Christmas with a torn biceps, scrum-half Patrick Harrison (back) sidelined until the new year and scrum-half Ben Vellacott not back from shoulder surgery until December, Muncaster is the latest player to join Edinburgh’s long-term injury list.
While winger Ewan Ashman, locks Grant Gilchrist and Marshall Sykes and fullback Harry Paterson are expected to return in the coming weeks, winger Duhan van der Merwe may not play for the club before the November Tests despite being “close to returning to training” with a persistent ankle problem.
Meanwhile, Scotland stalwart D’arcy Rae, who came off the bench in their opening 34-29 Ulster win, suffered another setback and will see a specialist for back and calf problems.
With Rae ruled out and former Cardiff Scotland prop Rhys Litterick, who missed all of last season with an Achilles injury sustained on his debut, still working his way back in the coming weeks, Friday presents another opportunity for 20-year-old Ollie Blyth-Lafferty to press his Scotland side.
The 6ft 4in, 135kg prop played 15 games – including 10 starts – in a breakout campaign last season, including starts against the likes of Toulon and sharks.
The youngster was under consideration for Scotland’s Nations Championship squad in July before the national coaches decided another World Junior Championship with Scotland’s under-20s would be more beneficial to his development.
But with the pecking order behind Scotland premier Zander Fagerson still fluid, Everitt believes Blyth-Lafferty can push himself into contention for the 2027 World Cup squad – which starts in a year’s time – with some strong early-season results.
“I think I’m in that position, definitely,” Everitt said. “The ball is in his court. Obviously, we help him during the week. I know Gregor (Townsend) and the coaching team are working with Ollie as well. We all know the potential he has.
“He’s still very young as a tight end, but the growth and opportunities he gets over the next five weeks will benefit him greatly. And he’s made big improvements over the last year.”
“Twelve months is a long time in rugby. I certainly think he would be in their discussions.”
Everitt believes the 20-year-old’s willingness to accept feedback and work on aspects of his game will accelerate his progress.
“The feather in his cap is that he recognizes where he needs to improve,” he added. “Sometimes players are reluctant to take advice and understand where they are. He certainly showed maturity in that regard.
“He takes criticism – or work – on board and he sticks to the task. Once you recognize what you need to do, you’re halfway to success.”
Blyth-Lafferty’s inclusion is one of only two changes to Edinburgh’s 23 following their surprise first win in Belfast, with Scotland and Lions prop Pierre Schoeman who joined him in the front row in his first game of the season. Alec Hepburn and Paul Hill return to the bench.
“A guy with that kind of experience gives the young guys around him confidence,” Everitt added of Schoeman. “He is the leader in our group and the players respect him tremendously and give him a lot of confidence.
“He gets along really well throughout the day with different individuals, and I’m pretty sure he’s patting the guys on the back and motivating them, giving them confidence going into tomorrow night.”
The Edinburgh team to face the Stormers: 15, Piers O’Conor; 14. Malelili Satala, 13. Matt Currie (co-capt), 12. Kienan Higgins, 11. Geordie Gwynn; 10. James Grayson, 9. Hector Patterson; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Harri Morris, 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4. Callum Hunter-Hill, 5. Glen Young, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Freddy Douglas, 8. Magnus Bradbury (co-captain).
Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Euan McVie, 20. Tom Currie, 21. Conor McAlpine, 22. Cammy Scott, 23. Rory McHaffie.
