Argentine international Emiliano Boffelli returns from injury to make his first BKT United Rugby Championship appearance of the season against Zebre Parma tomorrow night (Friday 14 February, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
The Pumas star starts on the wing having successfully recovered from back surgery and is one of eight changes made to the side that faced Scarlets last month.
Fellow winger Ross McCann returns from a calf injury to start, while Mosese Tuipulotu (inside centre) and Ross Thompson (stand-off) also join the starting backline.
D’Arcy Rae (tighthead), Marshall Sykes (lock) and Luke Crosbie (back-row) have been released from Scotland camp to start, while Tom Currie, who debuted at Parc y Scarlets last time out, makes his first professional start at number 8.
Tomorrow night’s encounter with Zebre Parma is part of the BKT United Rugby Championship’s ‘Origin Round’, as the league encourages teams, players and fans to celebrate the communities and people who helped launch the careers of hundreds of rugby players and coaches.
The Edinburgh Rugby squad will once again be wearing the socks of their boyhood teams (listed below) during the match to help celebrate the grassroots game and pay tribute to all those at club level that help rugby run all year round.
Ahead of the clash, Everitt said: “We’re delighted to welcome Emiliano [Boffelli] back to the team. He has worked incredibly hard to return to full fitness and I know how proud he is to be pulling on the Edinburgh jersey once again.
“It’s great to be back at Hive Stadium, playing under the Friday night lights. Zebre Parma are a team we have a huge amount of respect for and we know they’ll be travelling with confidence after winning in Belfast last time out.
“However we’re really excited about the team we’ve got out tomorrow night and we’ll be going hell for leather to get a win for our home support.”
Wes Goosen – ever-present in 2024/25 – continues at full-back with Boffelli and McCann named on opposite wings.
Tuipulotu links up with Matt Currie – starting alongside brother, Tom, for the first time – in midfield, as Ali Price and Thompson combine at half-back.
Hooker Paddy Harrison – also released from Scotland camp – packs down alongside props Rae and Boan Venter up front, as locks Glen Young and Sykes complete the tight-five.
Number 8 Currie anchors a back-row featuring centurion flankers Crosbie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside).
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship – Friday 14 February (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports:
15. Wes Goosen | Old Boys University (45)
14. Emiliano Boffelli | Duendes (40)
13. Matt Currie | Dumfries Saints/ Merchiston Castle School (52)
12. Mosese Tuipulotu | Greenock Wanderers RFC/ South District Pirates (13)
11. Ross McCann | Melrose RFC (6)
10. Ross Thompson | Stewart’s Melville College (14)
9. Ali Price | West Norfolk RFC/ Wisbech Grammar (29)
1. Boan Venter | High School de Aar (80)
2. Paddy Harrison | Peebles RFC (24)
3. D’Arcy Rae | Marr RFC (16)
4. Marshall Sykes | Ayr RFC/ Woodbridge (76)
5. Glen Young | Jed-Forest RFC (41)
6. Luke Crosbie | Currie Chieftains (108) CAPTAIN
7. Hamish Watson | Edinburgh Accies (168)
8. Tom Currie | Dumfries Saints/ Merchiston Castle School (1)
Replacements
16. Harri Morris | Melrose RFC (3)
17. Robin Hislop | Langholm RFC (26)
18. Paul Hill | Doncaster Knights (11)
19. Sam Skinner | Topsham RFC (33)
20. Liam McConnell | Boroughmuir RFC (2)
21. Ben Vellacott | Barnstaple RFC (69)
22. Ben Healy | Nenagh Ormond RFC (34)
23. James Lang | RGC/ London Irish Amateur (64)
Unavailable: Connor Boyle (knee), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Ben Muncaster (concussion), Harry Paterson (concussion), Lewis Wells (ankle).
International duty: Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
The dubious honor of being called the worst Test batsman belongs to New Zealand’s Chris Martin. He has a poor batting average and only ever achieved double figures once. He was so bad that he even starred in an ad for Pulp Sport spoofing his (lack of) batting skills.
Crazy Eights
South Africa is a country that loves variety when it comes to sports. A wide range of sports is being played in South Africa, including cricket, football, rugby, tennis, basketball, boxing, golf, athletics, etc. The country and its people are always excited about some game. For them, there are a lot of matches to watch and tournaments to bet on. Someone living in South Africa can never run out of sports content because they are pretty active in that segment. Moreover, from kids to older people, everyone enjoys sports in South Africa, regardless of their participation in South African betting companies.