Sean Everitt has made one change to his Edinburgh side that will welcome defending champions Munster to Hive Stadium tomorrow. 

Ben Vellacott – who came off the bench to score in last weekend’s victory over Zebre – gets the nod at scrum-half and replaces fellow Scotland cap Ali Price, who drops to the bench.

It will be an emotional occasion for club stalwarts Viliame Mata and WP Nel as they run out for what is likely to be - unless Edinburgh can earn an unlikely home quarter-final - their final appearances in front of the Edinburgh supporters.

Mata, who joined from  Fiji Sevens eight years ago having won gold at the Rio Olympics, is bound for Bristol Bears in the summer.

Meanwhile Nel, who became only the fourth player in the club's history to play more than 200 games earlier this campaign - will retire at the end of the season after 12 years in the capital. 

Everitt said: “It will be an electric atmosphere on Friday night with a full house at Hive Stadium.

"This is a massive game for us and the energy our fans create will be crucial in driving us forward from the first whistle.

“The squad have put in a huge shift this season and this match is a chance to solidify everything we’ve worked for.

"It will also be a special occasion for guys like Bill [Mata] and WP [Nel] who have been tremendous servants to the club for a long time. I know our squad will be going all out to ensure it’s a positive night.

Scotland Rugby News: WP Nel and Bill Mata will most likely bid farewell to Hive Stadium tomorrowWP Nel and Bill Mata will most likely bid farewell to Hive Stadium tomorrow (Image: SNS)

Everitt, who said earlier this week he has been pleased with some of the improvements made by his side during the campaign, knows it will be a tough test. 

READ MORE: Sean Everitt says Edinburgh have made improvements this term

He added: “Munster are a formidable opponent and we’re under no illusions about the challenge we face going up against the reigning  URC champions.

"However, we have belief and our squad will be fired up playing at home in front of a packed out capital crowd.”

An unchanged back-three sees Wes Goosen, who signed a new contract earlier in the week continue at fullback alongside wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Matt Currie.

James Lang and Mark Bennett link up in the midfield, while Vellacott partners Ben Healy at half-back.

Hooker Ewan Ashman – a double try-scorer against Zebre in a Player of the Match performance – packs down alongside Pierre Schoeman and Nel in the front row, with fellow Scotland duo Sam Skinner and co-captain Grant Gilchrist in the engine room. 

Fijian number eight Mata anchors a back-row featuring Scotland pair Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson on the flanks.

The teams

Edinburgh: Wes Goosen, Matt Currie, Mark Bennett, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott (cc); Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (cc), Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Viliame Mata

Replacements: Dave Cherry, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Marshall Sykes, Luke Crosbie, Ali Price, Cammy Scott, Chris Dean

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (c), Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Mark Donnelly, John Ryan, RG Snyman, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.