Edinburgh Rugby will field a star-studded side on Friday night as head coach Sean Everitt names five British & Irish Lions in his starting XV for the BKT United Rugby Championship home opener against Ulster (kick-off 7pm, live on Premier Sports).
Lions Back in the Fold
A sell-out Hive Stadium crowd will witness the return of Darcy Graham, making his first appearance since injury on the summer tour. He joins fellow Lion Duhan van der Merwe on the wings, giving Edinburgh a lethal finishing duo. Everitt has also recalled front-row powerhouse Pierre Schoeman, hooker Ewan Ashman, and back-row stalwart Hamish Watson, completing a quintet of Lions influence.
On the selection, Everitt said:
“It’s brilliant to be able to welcome guys of that calibre into our side. It was great to see them playing so well in the famous red jerseys this summer, and we’re looking forward to seeing them back at home in front of our fans.”
Timing Change and Weather Considerations
The fixture has been moved forward to a 7pm start to avoid the worst of Friday’s forecast. Turnstiles open at 6pm, with officials expecting a packed house and electric atmosphere.
Key Match-ups
- Back Three Firepower: Graham and van der Merwe’s pace and finishing will be central to breaking Ulster’s defence, with Wes Goosen offering security and counter-attack from full-back.
- Half-Back Spark: Ben Vellacott, fresh off a try-scoring display last weekend, partners Ben Healy at fly-half. Their chemistry could decide whether Edinburgh can control tempo.
- Back-Row Battle: Skipper Magnus Bradbury, try-scorer Liam McConnell, and Watson form a dynamic back row against Ulster’s pack — a clash that will shape breakdown dominance.
Continuity in the Pack
While the Lions headline selections, Everitt has kept faith with much of the side that ran out against Zebre Parma. Locks Marshall Sykes and Grant Gilchrist remain paired in the engine room, while tighthead D’arcy Rae joins Schoeman and Ashman up front.
Bradbury captains the side at home for the first time this season, leading by example after scoring last week. He will be key in rallying a squad chasing their first win of the season.
Everitt’s Warning on Ulster
Ulster arrive buoyed by a strong opening performance against the Dragons. Everitt acknowledged the challenge ahead:
“Ulster are a tough team to play, and put away a spirited Dragons side last week, so we’ll need to be at our best tomorrow night to get the result we want in front of our home support.”
The Line-up in Full
Edinburgh Rugby vs Ulster – Hive Stadium, Friday 3 October, 7pm
15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ben Vellacott, 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 D’arcy Rae, 4 Marshall Sykes, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Liam McConnell, 7Hamish Watson, 8 Magnus Bradbury (C).
Replacements: Harrison, Whitcombe, Williams, Skinner, Douglas, Shiel, Thomson, Paterson.
Unavailable: Hill, Crosbie, McCaig, Litterick, Scott, Thompson, Currie, Richardson, Hunter-Hill, Muncaster, Carmichael, Boyle, Tuipulotu.
