The British & Irish Lion wing, who has scored nine tries in 19 games in EPCR competitions, starts at DAM Health Stadium as Edinburgh take on Benetton Rugby.

A reshuffle of the Scottish region’s back line amid van der Merwe’s inclusion sees Emiliano Boffelli shift to full-back, while Mark Bennett comes in at outside centre after returning to fitness.

Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel line up either side of Dave Cherry in a refreshed front row, with lock Sam Skinner and Flanker Nick Haining coming in as the other changes to the starting side for last Friday’s 22-19 defeat to Emirates Lions.

Elsewhere in the URC, there is an all-Heineken Champions Cup contest as Munster Rugby play at Thomond Park for the first time this season for the visit of Vodacom Bulls.

19-year lock Edwin Edogbo makes his first start for Munster, while wing Shane Daly is set for his 50th appearance for the Irish province.

Calvin Nash, who along with Daly is part of a contingent returning from international duty with Emerging Ireland, is on the other wing, while props Jeremy Loughman and Stephen Archer, and scrum-half Craig Casey, also come in. Joey Carbery switches to fly-half and Patrick Campbell moves to full-back.

Centre Harold Voster returns from injury to start for Vodacom Bulls, with wing Wandisile Simelane also called up and flanker WJ Steenkamp appearing for the first time this season.

Cell C Sharks, who like Vodacom Bulls are featuring in the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time in 2022-23, have handed debuts to lock Eben Etzebeth and flanker Vincent Tshituka as they host Glasgow Warriors.

Meanwhile, Ulster Rugby are bolstered by the return of wing Rob Baloucoune as he starts at Emirates Lions, with fly-half Billy Burns and flanker Marcus Rea coming in as two of the other changes made by the Irish province following last Saturday’s 47-17 thrashing of Ospreys.

In Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership games, Heineken Champions Cup sides Gloucester Rugby, Northampton Saints and Saracens all host EPCR Challenge Cup outfits, in Bristol Bears, Newcastle Falcons and Bath Rugby respectively.

Wing Jonny May comes in for Gloucester, Rory Hutchinson, David Ribbans and James Grayson are back in the Saints starting XV, while lock Maro Itoje and full-back Alex Goode return to the Saracens team after injury lay-offs.

In the TOP 14, a host of Heineken Champions Cup teams are on show as Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 face off at Stade Chaban-Delmas and Montpellier Hérault Rugby clash with Lyon at GGL Stadium.

Stade Toulousain visit CA Brive, Castres Olympique host Aviron Bayonnais and ASM Clermont Auvergne are away at USAP.

On Sunday, three Heineken Champions Cup sides are in action as Harlequins entertain Leicester Tigers in the Premiership and Stade Rochelais welcome EPCR Challenge Cup outfit RC Toulon in the TOP 14.

Wing Duhan van der Merwe will make his second debut for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday after re-signing for the Heineken Champions Cup side this week.