Darcy Graham returns ahead of schedule as Edinburgh face Toulon in European Challenge Cup

Darcy Graham will make a surprise return to action for Edinburgh in Friday’s European Challenge Cup opener against Toulon at Hive Stadium, having recovered from a torn bicep significantly ahead of schedule.

The Scotland and British and Irish Lions winger sustained the injury in September and was originally expected to miss rugby until Christmas. His early comeback hands Edinburgh a significant boost and puts Graham back in contention for Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend’s Nations Championship squad, which faces New Zealand, Australia and Japan next month.

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has otherwise kept faith with the side that beat Zebre 29-12 in the United Rugby Championship last week, making just one other change to the starting XV. Flanker Tom Currie comes in for his first start of the season, while Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist — also returning from injury — is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance of the campaign.

“The energy around the squad this week has been great, as we move into our first European match of the season,” Everitt said. “Toulon are a huge club, and with a big crowd expected at Hive Stadium we can’t wait to get stuck into the match in front of our home fans. Toulon bring with them a huge pedigree in Europe, and we know the challenge that will bring, but we’re excited to meet that challenge head on.”

Edinburgh will line up as follows — Backs: Piers O’Conor; Darcy Graham, Matt Currie (co-captain), Mosese Tuipulotu, Malelili Satala; James Grayson, Hector Patterson. Forwards: Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Callum Hunter-Hill, Glen Young, Tom Currie, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury (co-captain). Replacements: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Jamie Stewart, Paul Hill, Grant Gilchrist, Euan McVie, Conor McAlpine, Geordie Gwynn, Rory McHaffie.