Four debutants to start against Ulster

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt has named four debutants in his starting XV to face Ulster in tomorrow night’s BKT United Rugby Championship season opener at Affidea Stadium (Friday 25 September, kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Alec Hepburn (loosehead), James Grayson (stand-off), Kienan Higgins (centre) and Geordie Gwynn (wing) all start, having made summer moves to the capital, while 19-year-old academy full back and Scotland U20 international, Rory McHaffie, could debut from the bench.

Magnus Bradbury and Matt Currie lead the side in Belfast, having been announced as co-captains earlier in the week.

Harry Paterson (ankle), Darcy Graham (bicep), Mosese Tuipulotu (concussion) and Ben Muncaster (ankle) all miss out after picking up injuries in last weekend’s pre-season match up with Harlequins, while British & Irish Lion Ewan Ashman (oblique) is also unavailable for selection.

The selection does, however, stand as a strong endorsement of the club’s pathway, with 13 of the matchday 23 either academy products or current academy players, underlining Edinburgh’s commitment to homegrown talent. Ten of the squad are aged 22 or under, with McHaffie, 19, the youngest of the group.

Ahead of the match, Everitt said: “The whole squad is excited to get stuck into the season, starting with a trip to Belfast tomorrow night to kick things off after pre-season.

“I’m excited to see our new players in action making their debuts for the club. Each player has added to the group and we can’t wait to see them out on the field for the first time.

“Injuries have unfortunately hit us hard, but that’s an opportunity for others, and I’m really excited to see some of our younger players step up on such a big night.”

Piers O’Conor starts the season at full-back, forming a new-look back three with Gwynn and the fit-again Malelili Satala.

Co-captain Currie partners Higgins in midfield, while Grayson and scrum-half Hector Patterson link up in the halves, having started both pre-season matches together.

Hepburn is joined in the front row by tighthead Paul Hill and hooker Harri Morris, who has recovered from a facial injury he sustained against Ulster in the club’s Scottish Building Society pre-season friendly.

Callum Hunter-Hill and Glen Young form a familiar second-row partnership, while rising Scotland internationals Freddy Douglas and Liam McConnell join co-captain Bradbury in the back row.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at Affidea Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 25 September (kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports.

15. Piers O’Conor (21)

14. Malelili Satala (9)
13. Matt Currie (72) CO-CAPTAIN
12. Kienan Higgins*
11. Geordie Gwynn*

10. James Grayson*
9. Hector Patterson (4)

1. Alec Hepburn*
2. Harri Morris (17)
3. Paul Hill (35)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (36)
5. Glen Young (70)
6. Liam McConnell (23)
7. Freddy Douglas (25)
8. Magnus Bradbury (151) CO-CAPTAIN

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (6)
17. James Whitcombe (7)
18. D’arcy Rae (35)
19. Euan McVie (3)
20. Tom Currie (8)
21. Conor McAlpine (4)
22. Cammy Scott (32)
23. Rory McHaffie*

Unavailable for selection: Patrick Harrison (back), Dylan Richardson (groin), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Grant Gilchrist (bicep), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Ben Vellacott (shoulder), Marshall Sykes (shoulder), Connor Boyle (knee), Jack Brown (knee), Wes Goosen (hamstring), Harry Paterson (ankle), Darcy Graham (bicep), Mosese Tuipulotu (concussion), Ben Muncaster (ankle), Ewan Ashman (oblique), Pierre Schoeman (rest).