Scotland internationals return to Edinburgh side for Scarlets clash

Hooker Ross Ford, captain during Scotland’s disappointing RBS 6 Nations campaign, is joined in the front row by fellow internationals Allan Jacobsen and Geoff Cross.

David Denton and Ross Rennie are restored to the back-row, while behind the scrum, Mike Blair and Greig Laidlaw team up at half-back, with Nick De Luca and Lee Jones named at outside centre and wing, respectively.

The contest is something of a warm-up for next week’s Heineken Cup quarter-finals, where the Scarlets, who are bolstered by the availability of members of Wales’ Grand Slam-winning squad, play Brive and Edinburgh meet Toulouse at Murrayfield in an eagerly anticipated fixture.

Speaking about his international players, Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley said: “It’s been great to have them back.

“They’re all quality players, so the biggest benefit has been the increased competition for places in the team, which has had a knock on effect on the quality and intensity of training.

“There’s so much to play for because European knockout competition is just around the corner, so I expect Scarlets will travel strong.

“That, combined with a strong Edinburgh Rugby team, should make for a great match.”

Loosehead prop Jacobsen missed Scotland’s match with Italy after suffering an ankle injury in the warm-up, while winger Jones was absent with concussion suffered against Ireland, but both are fit again.

Stuart McInally has been selected at number eight with Netani Talei rested as a precaution due a slight back strain.