Edinburgh Rugby welcome the return of Harry Paterson and James Lang for tonight’s BKT United Rugby Championship regular season finale against Ulster at Hive Stadium (Friday 16 May, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
Paterson (concussion) is cleared to play having progressed through the graduated return to play protocol – the recently re-signed Scotland international starts on the wing in place of Jack Brown.
Lang has recovered from the injury that saw him withdraw from the matchday squad in Galway. The Scotland international starts at inside centre in place of Mosese Tuipulotu, who misses out with a knee injury.
A capacity crowd is expected as the capital side pursue the victory needed to be in with the chance of qualifying for the URC play-offs and securing Champions Cup rugby for next season, with several outcomes possible from this weekend’s final chapter of the league’s ‘Race for the Eight’.
Head Coach, Sean Everitt, said: “Last weekend’s gritty victory in Galway was a testament to the resilience and character within this squad, and it provides us with real momentum as we head into tomorrow night’s match against Ulster.
“The passion and energy of our supporters at Hive Stadium have been incredible, and that atmosphere will be absolutely crucial in driving us forward once again. To be playing in front of third consecutive sell-out crowd will be simply amazing – it underscores the connection we have with our city.
“We know we are playing for Edinburgh, for our supporters, and we are determined to deliver a performance they can be proud of.”
Paterson comes into an otherwise unchanged back-three, alongside the evasive duo of Darcy Graham and full-back Wes Goosen.
In the midfield, Matt Currie once agains starts at outside-centre, forming a familiar partnership with Lang. The capital half-back partnership remains unchanged, with Ali Price at scrum-half alongside stand-off Ross Thompson.
The pack is unchanged from last week’s win against Connacht, with Pierre Schoeman (loosehead), Ewan Ashman (hooker), and D’arcy Ray(tighthead) forming the front-row.
The tight-five is rounded off by Marshall Sykes and Sam Skinner, the lock duo forming the capital engine room.
Magnus Bradbury captains the side at number eight, with the flank duo of Hamish Watson (openside) and Ben Muncaster (blindside) completing the loose forwards.
In the replacements, club centurions Jamie Ritchie and Mark Bennett return to the matchday 23 for what could be their final home appearance.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship – Friday 16 May (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (53)
14. Darcy Graham (81)
13. Matt Currie (62)
12. James Lang (73)
11. Harry Paterson (15)
10. Ross Thompson (24)
9. Ali Price (39)
1. Pierre Schoeman (132)
2. Ewan Ashman (36)
3. D’arcy Rae (25)
4. Marshall Sykes (82)
5. Sam Skinner (42)
6. Ben Muncaster (46)
7. Hamish Watson (177)
8. Magnus Bradbury (132) CAPTAIN
Replacements
16. Paddy Harrison (31)
17. Boan Venter (90)
18. Javan Sebastian (28)
19. Glen Young (49)
20. Jamie Ritchie (129)
21. Charlie Shiel (73)
22. Ben Healy (37)
23. Mark Bennett (110)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Robert Carmichael (wrist), Dave Cherry (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Grant Gilchrist (hamstring), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Ross McCann (foot), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Ben Vellacott (foot).
Skygod
Abbas Ali Baig was the first Indian cricketer to be kissed during a Test match – When Abbas Ali Baig reached a half-century in the third Test match against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in 1960, a pretty young girl ran all the way from the North Stand to greet the batsman. She kissed Baig on his cheek.
Sleek Assassin
Rugby was introduced to South Africa by British soldiers garrisoned in Cape Town in 1875.