Scrum-half Hector Patterson is set to make his professional debut for Edinburgh Rugby in their BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium.
Edinburgh Rugby have announced six changes for the match. The game is scheduled for Friday 17 April, with a 7.45pm kick-off, and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports.
Patterson’s First Start
Patterson, a product of the club’s academy, is a key member of the Scotland side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy. The 21-year-old gets his first senior start. He was previously named on the bench against Leinster in November 2023 but did not feature.
The Denholm nine is one of 12 current Edinburgh Rugby academy players, or academy graduates, named in the matchday 23. This is a statement of the strength of the capital club’s player development pathway.
Changes in the Line-Up
With James Lang ruled out through an ankle injury and Matt Currie sidelined with a hamstring problem, Mosese Tuipulotu and Findlay Thomson are paired together in the centres.
Thomson, 21, makes a comeback from injury (thumb), having last featured against Ospreys in November when he was named BKT Player of the Match.
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty gets the nod at tighthead prop in the absence of D’arcy Rae, who misses out with a calf injury.
In the back-row, Freddy Douglas comes in at openside flanker and Connor Boyle is named at number 8, with Ben Muncaster ruled out for the remainder of the season (ankle) and club captain Magnus Bradbury continuing his return to full fitness.
Everitt’s Perspective
Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “Injuries are never easy to take, but one of the things they do is open doors for players who are ready and waiting for their chance – and this week is a perfect example of that.”
“Hector [Patterson] has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and he thoroughly deserves his opportunity. Findlay [Thomson] coming back into the side is also a real boost for us, and it’s great to see him firing again.”
“When you look at that matchday 23 and count 12 players who have come through this club’s academy system, that tells you everything about the work being done behind the scenes. It’s genuinely exciting to see the next generation stepping up and putting their hands up at this level.
“We’re also back at Hive Stadium, which means a great deal to this group. Playing in front of our home support gives everyone a lift – the players are really looking forward to Friday night and we want to put on a performance that this city can be proud of.”
Team Lineup
Piers O’Conor retains his place at full-back, with British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham and Malelili Satala named on the wings. Ross Thompson continues at fly-half, while Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman complete the starting front-row alongside Blyth-Lafferty. Marshall Sykes partners double centurion Gilchrist in the second row, with Liam McConnell completing the back-row alongside Douglas and Boyle.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship:
- Darcy Graham (94)
The players are really looking forward to Friday night and we want to put on a performance that this city can be proud of.