Connor Boyle will skipper Edinburgh ‘A’ in their second FOSROC Super Series Sprint clash against Heriot’s Rugby at Goldenacre tomorrow (Saturday 4 May, kick-off 3pm).
Edinburgh ‘A’ and Academy Coach Kris Burney has named a consistent side after a successful first outing against the Southern Knights in Round One, claiming a 54-19 win at the Greenyards.
The second round sees Edinburgh visit another iconic capital ground, and a side that has long historical links with the club.
Finn Douglas bagged a hat-trick last time out, and once again features on the wing, with academy full-back Jack Brown and Gala RFC winger Nairn Moncrieff completing an unchanged back-three.
Jack Hocking and Sam Leweni (Watsonians) reunite in the midfield, with Cammy Scott vice-captaining in the 10 jersey.
The sole change in the backs sees academy scrum-half Fin Burgess move into the starting line-up.
Boyle starts at openside flanker, and is joined in the back-row by blindside Tom Currie and number eight Ben Muncaster – who scored last time out against the Knights.
Burney has named a consistent tight-five, with Rob Carmichael and Euan McVie forming the lock partnership once more. Luan de Bruin (loosehead), Paddy Harrison (Hooker) start again, with Angus Williams moving in to start at tighthead.
On the fixture, Burney said: “We know that Heriot’s will provide a tough challenge. They play an expansive brand of rugby that is exciting to watch but also clinical. They finished top of the Championship earlier this season for a reason. They’re a strong side.
“We know they’ll be disappointed with last week’s result so will be looking to bounce back, which is something we are prepared for. I expect it will be a great game to watch and we’re excited to get back out there as a group.
“We have pro-academy prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty available, however we’ve made the decision to allow Ollie to play for Currie Chieftains in Sunday’s Premiership final, having played for the Malleny side throughout their campaign.
“The Premiership final is a vital fixture in the Scottish Rugby calendar, and Ollie featuring in a game of that calibre will be massive for his development.
“Our thanks to Glasgow for allowing Callum Norrie to feature in his stead, to cover at tighthead.”
Edinburgh ‘A’ side to face Heriot’s Rugby at Goldenacre (Saturday 4 May, kick-off 3pm)
15. Jack Brown*
14. Nairn Moncrieff**
13. Sam Leweni**
12. Jack Hocking*
11. Finn Douglas*
10. Cammy Scott (VC)
9. Fin Burgess*
1. Luan de Bruin
2. Paddy Harrison
3. Angus Williams
4. Euan McVie*
5. Rob Carmichael
6. Tom Currie*
7. Connor Boyle (C)
8. Ben Muncaster
Replacements
16. Harri Morris*
17. Robbie Deans*
18. Callum Norrie
19. Mark Fyffe (University of Edinburgh)
20. Freddy Douglas*
21. Hector Patterson*
22. Max Wallace (Edinburgh Academicals)
23. Fin Doyle (Loughborough University)
*Edinburgh Rugby pro-academy player
**Scottish Rugby junior academy player
Disco Potato
South Africa’s domestic rugby competition, called the Currie Cup, dates back to 1891 and is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world. The competition features South African provincial teams and is named after the British colonial administrator Sir Donald Currie, who donated the trophy.
Devil Chick
Sport Trivia: Which South African swimmer was the first woman ever to win both the 100m and 200m Olympic breaststroke event, this was achieved at the 1996 Olympics? Answer: Penny Heyns. Penny Heyns is regarded as one of the best breaststroke swimmers ever. At the Atlanta Olympics, she won her first gold for the 100 metres breaststroke in a world record time of 1:07:02 and her second gold in the 200 metres in an Olympic record time of 2:25:41.