Thompson to Captain Youthful Side

Stand-off Ross Thompson is handed the captain’s armband for Edinburgh Rugby’s pre-season opener against Ulster, with a youthful squad set to gain valuable minutes in Belfast tomorrow evening (Friday 12 September, kick-off 7.35pm).

Head Coach Sean Everitt named an extended squad of 28 for the trip to Affidea Stadium, featuring a significant focus on youth. Seventeen players are aged 23 or under, with nine current academy players and five first-year professionals included. Most players are expected to play a half each in the friendly, which will be streamed live on ulster.rugby.

On the selection, Everitt said: “We’re excited to get into matches after a lot of work on the training pitch. It has been a productive pre-season, and we’re looking forward to seeing some of the work in action on Friday night.

“A lot of the younger guys have worked hard in the last few weeks and shown that they deserve a run-out for the senior side. There’s a lot of potential, so we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do in Belfast.”

New signings James Whitcombe and Rhys Litterick both start in the front row at loosehead and tighthead respectively, alongside 21-year-old academy hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty.

Glen Young is joined in the second-row by academy youngster Christian Lindsay, with the 18-year-old set for his first senior involvement with the capital club having come through the ranks at Loretto School.

In the back-row, Everitt opts to start with the youthful trio of Ollie Duncan (blindside flanker), Freddy Douglas (openside), and Tom Currie (number eight) – all aged 20 – with the back-row unit having all featured together for Scotland U20.

Thompson is partnered at half-back by academy scrum-half Hector Patterson, 20, who starts after an impressive set of displays at the World Rugby U20 Championship earlier this summer.

The midfield is made up of academy inside-centre Findlay Thomson, 21 – who made his professional debut against Connacht last May – and GB Sevens’ Matt Davidson who starts at 13.

Davidson has been in training with the squad throughout the GB Sevens off-season, with the former Heriot’s man available for selection during this period.

In the back-three, Jack Brown, 20, starts at full-back, alongside wingers Lewis Wells and Ross McCann.

Everitt can call on a handful of senior players in the second half, including Magnus Bradbury, Sam Skinner and Hamish Watson, who could feature alongside new signings Charlie McCaig and Malelili Satala.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Ulster Rugby at Affidea Stadium Friday 12 September, kick-off 7.35pm – streamed live at ulster.rugby

15. Jack Brown*

14. Lewis Wells*

13. Matt Davidson

12. Findlay Thomson*

11. Ross McCann

10. Ross Thompson CAPTAIN

9. Hector Patterson*

1. James Whitcombe

2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty*

3. Rhys Litterick

4. Christian Lindsay*

5. Glen Young

6. Ollie Duncan*

7. Freddy Douglas

8. Tom Currie

Replacements

Mikey Jones

Harri Morris

Angus Williams

Euan McVie*

Sam Skinner

Liam McConnell

Hamish Watson

Magnus Bradbury

Conor McAlpine

Cammy Scott

Ross McKnight*

Charlie McCaig
Malelili Satala

*Denotes academy player