Edinburgh Rugby duo ruled out for season, with surgery required for one

Both players have ankle injuries, and Lang’s will require surgery. The pair were injured during Edinburgh’s defeat by Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16.

“Ben Muncaster and James Lang have season-ending injuries,” confirmed Sean Everitt, the Edinburgh head coach. “They've got ligament damage in their ankles. And James Lang will be going for surgery on Thursday.

“We do have guys that can step in. Piers O'Conor is a consideration at 13 and he's played a lot there this year for us. We've got Jack Brown that can step in at full-back. And then Fin Thomson, who's recovered well from his injury, who showed some great promise in the first block of URC games.”

Bradbury, Rae, Currie all missing

Magnus Bradbury, the Edinburgh captain, is also out with an ankle ligament issue and is not expected to return until next month. In addition, D’arcy Rae and Matt Currie have aggravated calf and hamstring problems and will be “out for a couple of weeks”, according to Everitt.

Edinburgh’s long-term injury list already includes Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (Achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist) and Conor McAlpine (hamstring). In addition, Wes Goosen (hand) and Harry Paterson (quad) have also been sidelined in recent weeks.

There is better news on Duhan van der Merwe who is on the mend following the ankle injury which curtailed his involvement in the Six Nations. This Friday’s home game against Zebre will come too soon for him but the Scotland winger could be involved against the Sharks the following week.

“He should be joining in training on Wednesday and there’s an outside chance he could be ready for the Sharks,” said Everitt.

The rash of injuries should open the door for some of the club’s academy players, particularly when Edinburgh have nothing tangible to play for in their final four games now that they are out of play-off contention in the United Rugby Championship.

Everitt said there could be opportunities for the likes of Lewis Wells, Fin Doyle, Hector Patterson and new pro Tom Currie, as well as the aforementioned Brown and Thomson.