Head Coach Sean Everitt has named his Edinburgh Rugby side for tomorrow night’s Zebre Parma clash at Hive Stadium (Friday 10 May, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
A settled and experienced matchday 23 is selected with just two changes made to the starting XV that claimed a road win against Cardiff Rugby in Round 15.
With Emiliano Boffelli missing out through injury (back), Matt Currie shifts to the wing allowing centurion Mark Bennett to start at outside centre.
Fijian internationalist Viliame Mata returns at number 8 in place of Luke Crosbie who is named among the replacements.
With just three games to go, and Edinburgh Rugby sitting two points off fifth place, Everitt has labelled tomorrow night’s Zebre Parma match ‘massive’ in the race for the hotly contested BKT United Rugby Championship play-offs.
He said: “This is a massive match for our play-off aspirations, and we’ll need to be fully focused and disciplined to secure a positive result at Hive Stadium.
“Zebre Parma are a much-improved side and will travel to Edinburgh with nothing to lose. They bring physicality and can score from anywhere on the park, so we’ll need to match their energy from the get-go.
“We’re right in the battle for the play-offs and the squad know that every game in this run-in is a cup final. The backing of our supporters will once again be crucial, so we encourage everyone to get behind the team tomorrow night for this vital encounter.”
Wes Goosen continues at full-back as Currie and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe are named on opposite wings.
Centres James Lang and Bennett combine in the capital midfield as Ben Healy (stand-off) and Ali Price (scrum-half) link-up at half-back.
Ewan Ashman packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel up front, as Sam Skinner and skipper Grant Gilchrist complete an all-Scotland tight-five.
Number 8 Mata anchors a familiar back-row combination of centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside).
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 10 May (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (29)
14. Matt Currie (36)
13. Mark Bennett (105)
12. James Lang (54)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (89)
10. Ben Healy (20)
9. Ali Price (14)
1. Pierre Schoeman (112)
2. Ewan Ashman (17)
3. WP Nel (204)
4. Sam Skinner (22)
5. Grant Gilchrist (202) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (111)
7. Hamish Watson (156)
8. Viliame Mata (135)
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (90)
17. Boan Venter (63)
18. Javan Sebastian (14)
19. Marshall Sykes (59)
20. Luke Crosbie (97)
21. Ben Vellacott (58)
22. Cammy Scott (9)
23. Chris Dean (150)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (back), Tom Dodd (bicep), Darcy Graham (groin), Jake Henry (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee), Harry Paterson (quad), D’Arcy Rae (ankle), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (groin), Glen Young (ankle).
Twisty Dew
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The China Wall
Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand and holds a special place in the country’s culture. The domestic competition, known as the Mitre 10 Cup, showcases the country’s rugby talent, while the Super Rugby competition features New Zealand’s top franchises competing against teams from Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan.