Edinburgh Rugby ‘A’ team named for intercity clash

14 Edinburgh Rugby academy players are selected in the matchday 23 which is captained by Tom Dodd and features rising star and Scotland international Freddy Douglas, 20, at openside flanker.

Adding further development talent, three National Talent Pathway (NTP) Year 3 players are included: scrum-half Adam McKenzie, back-row Harry Jackaman (both Watsonians), and stand-off Callum Jessop (Heriot’s).

The capital side can call upon The University of Edinburgh scrum-half Freddie Nickalls, named among the replacements, as part of the club’s ongoing partnership with the University.

Also selected on the bench is back-three player Luca Mathieson, a former Scotland U18 international and Merchiston Castle School graduate who is currently studying at Newcastle University.

This is the ‘A’ team’s third match already in 2025/26, having faced Doncaster Knights in home and away fixtures last month.

Ahead of the match, Academy Coach Fergus Pringle, said: “We’re excited to name this ‘A’ team with 14 of our academy players in the matchday 23. This is a brilliant opportunity for them to step up and test themselves in a competitive fixture. It speaks volumes about the progress and talent we have coming through our development system.

“It’s also fantastic to see National Talent Pathway players like Adam McKenzie, Harry Jackaman and Callum Jessop getting this chance after impressing in the Premiership and in training alongside our academy players. Their inclusion highlights the strength of the NTP, and Premiership rugby, as well as the value of giving these young guys a platform to experience a high-level environment.

“An intercity derby is a unique fixture, and for our young players, Saturday is a great opportunity to run out at Hive Stadium in a match-up with our closest rivals.”

Henry Widdowson starts at full-back, with Malelili Satala – named Player of the Match in the home ‘A’ team clash with Doncaster in September – and Rory McHaffie selected on opposite wings.

Centres Nairn Moncreiff and Henry Kesterton combine in the midfield. Watsonians scrum-half McKenzie and stand-off Ross Wolfenden – who has recently impressed with Selkirk RFC – start at half-back.

In the pack, hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty packs down alongside tighthead, and brother, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, and loosehead Mikey Jones.

Locks Euan McVie and Christian Lindsay link up in the second-row as Dodd, Douglas and number 8 Tom Currie complete the pack.

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Edinburgh Rugby ‘A’ team to face Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ at Hive Stadium
Saturday 25 October (kick-off 3pm)

15. Henry Widdowson

14. Malelili Satala
13. Nairn Moncrieff
12. Henry Kesterton
11. Rory McHaffie

10. Ross Wolfenden
9. Adam McKenzie (NTP/Watsonians)

1. Mikey Jones
2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
4. Euan McVie
5. Christian Lindsay
6. Tom Dodd CAPTAIN
7. Freddy Douglas
8. Tom Currie

Replacements

16. Jack Utterson
17. Ben White
18. Jamie Stewart
19. Mac Rutherford
20. Harry Jackaman (NTP/Watsonians)
21. Freddie Nickalls (The University of Edinburgh)
22. Callum Jessop (NTP/ Heriot’s)
23. Luca Mathieson (Newcastle University)