Ewan Ashman is one of two changes to the Edinburgh starting XV © Craig Watson.
www.craigwatson.co.uk 
SEAN EVERITT has favoured consistency of selection over wider rotation after making just two changes to the Edinburgh starting XV for the Challenge Cup quarter-final at home to the Bulls on Saturday lunchtime.
Boan Venter and Ewan Ashman both come into the front row at the expense of Pierre Schoeman and Dave Cherry – set to move to Vannes in the summer – who both drop to the bench.
There are also four changes among the replacements following last weekend’s round of 16 win over the Lions.
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Ben Muncaster returns from concussion, while Mosese Tuipulotu also makes his comeback after serving a two-match suspension. Robert Carmichael and D’Arcy Rae also come into the matchday 23 for the 12.30pm kick-off at the Hive.
Everitt said: “This will be a step up. Bulls are two-time URC finalists, and they had a good away win against Bayonne last weekend to progress to the last eight.
“We spoke last week about getting a home Round of 16 and Quarter-Final, and we’ve managed that. Now, if we get through, we get a home semi. We have set ourselves up nicely, but like I say, it’s a difficult challenge ahead of us. One that we’re not afraid of, and one that we certainly are going for.
“Some of the international players had a break prior to the Treviso game so everyone’s still fresh and ready to go.We’re going to have to think about rotating this group a little bit later on with the URC games coming up. But consistency is important, especially when you’re playing knockout rugby.”
Everitt explained both changes to the starting XV were tactical ones.
He added: “Yes, it is. Pierre’s done well off the bench. And when he has started, it has been the same thing with Boan Venter. They’re both playing really good rugby so it’s good to keep them both hungry and both fresh, especially going into the next two games.”
Edinburgh Rugby (versus the Lions at Hive Stadium on Saturday @ 12.30pm – live on Premier Sports): W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, J Lang, R McCann; R Thompson, B Vellacott co-©; B Venter, E Ashman, J Sebastian, S Skinner, G Gilchrist, J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury
Subs: D Cherry, P Schoeman, D Rae, R Carmichael, B Muncaster, A Price, C Scott, M Tuipulotu
Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle)
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