Patterson Debuts as Edinburgh Rugby Revamps for Hive Stadium Match
Hector Patterson, 21, earns his first senior start for Edinburgh Rugby ahead of Friday’s fixture. The match against Zebre Parma is at Hive Stadium on 17 April.
Selection shake-up and context
Coach Sean Everitt has reshuffled his side following a run of injuries. He says these absences create chances for ready players.
Patterson is a Denholm nine who came through Hawick RFC. He was part of Scotland’s squad that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Opportunity and returns
Patterson had been named on the bench versus Leinster in November 2023. He did not take the field in that game.
Findlay Thomson, 21, returns from a thumb injury. His last outing came against Ospreys in November, when he claimed BKT Player of the Match.
Squad makeup highlights academy strength
Twelve players in the matchday 23 are academy members or graduates. That number underlines Edinburgh Rugby’s development pathway.
The coach welcomed the injection of youth. He also said playing at Hive Stadium lifts the group.
Frontline changes
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 20, starts at tighthead prop. He replaces D’arcy Rae, who misses out with a calf complaint.
In the back-row, Freddy Douglas, 20, is named at openside. Connor Boyle packs down at number eight, with Ben Muncaster ruled out for the season.
Match details
The BKT United Rugby Championship fixture kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday. Coverage is live on Premier Sports 15.
Edinburgh starting XV
- 15. Piers O’Conor (17)
- 14. Darcy Graham (94)
- 13. Mosese Tuipulotu (26)
- 12. Findlay Thomson (2)
- 11. Malelili Satala (7)
- 10. Ross Thompson (41)
- 9. Hector Patterson*
- 1. Pierre Schoeman (147)
- 2. Ewan Ashman (50)
- 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (11)
- 4. Marshall Sykes (94)
- 5. Grant Gilchrist (230) CAPTAIN
- 6. Liam McConnell (21)
- 7. Freddy Douglas (21)
- 8. Connor Boyle (48)
Replacements
- 16. Dylan Richardson (12)
- 17. Boan Venter (104)
- 18. Paul Hill (31)
- 19. Glen Young (66)
- 20. Tom Currie (4)
- 21. Ben Vellacott (93)
- 22. Cammy Scott (30)
- 23. Jack Brown (11)
Unavailable players
- Charlie McCaig (knee)
- Rhys Litterick (achilles)
- Rob Carmichael (wrist)
- Luke Crosbie (hamstring)
- Sam Skinner (hamstring)
- Paddy Harrison (back)
- Conor McAlpine (hamstring)
- Wes Goosen (hand)
- Duhan van der Merwe (ankle)
- Harry Paterson (quad)
- Magnus Bradbury (ankle)
- Matt Currie (hamstring)
- Mikey Jones (bicep)
- Ben Muncaster (ankle)
- James Lang (ankle)
- D’arcy Rae (calf)
Filmogaz.com will follow squad developments and report on the outcome. Supporters expect a lively atmosphere at Hive Stadium.
