| Allan Jacobsen, Dougie Hall, Scott Murray, Allister Hogg and Dave Callam return to the pack while Marcus Di Rollo and Rob Dewey team up in the centre and Phil Godman starts on the bench. Chris Paterson misses out due a thoracic pain, so Hogg takes over the captaincy and Simon Taylor is unwell.
Head coach Lynn Howells said: "It has been good having the Scotland players back training with the squad this week, although it is disappointing that Simon is unavailable given he has been playing so well recently and that Chris has not made it. It is difficult for them all coming back in as they can be exhausted after a long period of international duty, mentally as much as physically. However we've had some positive sessions this week, particularly as many of the squad were involved in last week's victory over the Newcastle Falcons.
"The next two games are vital for us in terms of where we'll be in the league at the end of the season but we cannot take anything for granted against the Borders, given past results have gone against us."
Edinburgh team to play Border Reivers on Friday 23 March at Netherdale, kicking off at 7.30pm
15 Ben Cairns
14 Matt Dey
13 Marcus Di Rollo
12 Rob Dewey
11 Lucio Lopez Fleming
10 Duncan Hodge
9 John Senio
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Dougie Hall
3 Geoff Cross
4 Matt Mustchin
5 Scott Murray
6 Alastair Strokosch
7 Allister Hogg (captain)
8 Dave Callam
Substitutes:
16 Andrew Kelly
17 Dave Hewett
18 Chris Bentley
19 Ross Rennie
20 Greig Laidlaw
21 Phil Godman
22 Alistair Warnock
Unavailable for selection: Mike Blair (collar-bone/shoulder), Alasdair Dickinson (ankle), Chris Paterson (thoracic pain), Craig Smith (neck), Hugo Southwell (shoulder), Simon Taylor (unwell), Simon Webster (lower leg).
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