Several big-name internationals have been ruled out of this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup. Besides EPCR Challenge Cup matches, with injuries forcing late changes to squad lists across Europe. Bath Rugby World Cup 2027 Champions Cup squad, with Bernard van der Linde taking his place.
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Leinster have also made a change, deregistering Ireland winger Jordan Larmour and adding Joshua Kenny instead. Larmour has not played since suffering a hamstring injury against Harlequins in December. One of the most notable changes comes at Toulouse.
Italy international Ange Capuozzo has been taken out of the squad and replaced by Jérémy Nemor. Capuozzo has not featured since the Top 14 clash with La Rochelle on December 28. La Rochelle, coached by Ronan O’Gara, has strengthened their squad with the return of Will Skelton. While Paul Boudehent and Judicaël Cancoriet have also been added ahead of this weekend’s showdown with rivals Leinster.
Elsewhere, Bayonne have brought in Manu Tuilagi while deregistering Marco Fepulea’i, and the Sharks have added Springbok prop Ox Nche to their squad. In the Challenge Cup, Newcastle have removed Liam Williams and replaced him with Rhys Beeckmans for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
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Rugby World Cup: Van der Merwe Returns for Edinburgh as Squads Reshuffled
Ulster have swapped Stewart Moore for Ben Moxham, while Lyon have reshuffled their squad by adding Jiuta Wainiqolo and removing Ethan Dumortier. Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe is set to return for Edinburgh in Friday night’s Champions Cup pool match against Gloucester, as he looks to regain his best form and push for selection ahead of the Six Nations.
The 30-year-old has had a frustrating season so far following a disappointing British & Irish Lions tour last summer, where he failed to break into the Test team despite finishing as the tour’s leading try-scorer. His club form has also been disrupted, with just one try in six appearances for Edinburgh and limited involvement, recording only 23 carries in 380 minutes of the Rugby World Cup.
While Van der Merwe scored three tries for Scotland in November, two against the USA and one against Tonga, he was left out of the starting line-up for the major Tests against New Zealand and Argentina, marking the first time that has happened in his international career.
Injuries have played a major role in his stop-start campaign. He missed three months before the Lions tour following ankle surgery, and has since picked up toe and hip injuries, the latter ruling him out of Edinburgh’s last two matches.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Everitt Van der Merwe Needs Game Time, Not a Reset
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt insists the winger’s struggles are injury-related rather than mental. I don’t think it’s a hangover from the Lions, Everitt said. It’s just the injuries that have affected him. Before the tour, he didn’t get enough game time after coming back, and that made things difficult. I’ve spoken to him about consistency and performance, but that will come with matches.
Hopefully, he can get a good run now before the Six Nations and get back to his best. He’s got an opportunity, and we’ve got a plan in place to help him get there. Van der Merwe’s return allows Wes Goosen to move back to his preferred full-back role. Elsewhere in the Edinburgh team, in-form Liam McConnell returns at blindside flanker, while loosehead prop James Whitcombe makes just his second start since joining from Leicester in the summer Rugby World Cup Final.
Pierre Schoeman drops to the bench after an impressive performance last week against Benetton, where he made 17 carries and 21 tackles. He is joined by Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman, who returns after missing two matches with a head injury.
Although Whitcombe is only 25, Everitt believes he brings plenty of experience. He’s played 50 games for Leicester and knows what’s required, Everitt said. He’s settled in now, and it’s never easy moving north after being at one club for so long, Rugby World Cup Final.
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Rugby World Cup Semi Final: European Cup Squads Hit by Fresh Injury Blows
We’re expecting a big performance from him over the next few weeks. Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist remains sidelined and is also likely to miss next week’s final Pool 2 match against Bath. What was initially thought to be a dead leg has turned out to be a minor quad injury. We were hopeful it wouldn’t be serious, Everitt explained.
He didn’t feel too bad, but the scan showed a slight quad issue that will keep him out for a couple of weeks. A six-two split on the bench could also see academy lock Euan McVie make his debut, while Scotland back-rower Ben Muncaster returns after recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out since the late November Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Overall, injuries have played a major role in shaping this weekend’s European action, forcing several leading clubs to reshuffle their squads at the last minute. While the absence of high-profile names is a blow.
The return of key figures such as Will Skelton and Duhan van der Merwe offers a timely boost for their teams. With places, pride, and future international selection on the line, these changes add another layer of intrigue to crucial Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures as the season moves toward its decisive phase Rugby World Cup Semi Final.
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