Edinburgh show promise in Belfast defeat

12 Sep 2025

Edinburgh Rugby fell short in their first warm-up fixture of the 2025/26 season, as a youthful side was defeated 31-19 by Ulster at Affidea Stadium. While the hosts ran out as deserved winners, the result belies a solid and at times impressive performance from a young Edinburgh squad.

An extended squad of 28 players, with a significant emphasis on development, made the trip to Belfast. Seventeen of the travelling party were aged 23 or under, including nine current academy players and five first-year professionals.

Despite the final scoreline, the young side looked sharp in attack throughout the night, showcasing strong handling and intent.

Ulster started the stronger of the two teams, leading 19-0 at the half-time break with a flurry of first-half tries. The hosts’ physicality at the breakdown and around the try-line proved a decisive factor in the opening 40 minutes.

However, the second half saw a refreshed Edinburgh side take to the field with a number of changes.

Senior players like Hamish Watson, Sam Skinner and Magnus Bradbury were introduced to bring vital experience, while young talents like Conor McAlpine and Liam McConnell made an immediate impression.

It was McAlpine who got Edinburgh on the scoreboard. The young scrum-half showed quick thinking to dart down the blindside before stepping the last defender for a brilliant solo score, making it 24-7.

Edinburgh continued to build on this momentum, and summer recruit Malelili Satala then grabbed another try. After a strong lineout drive, the ball was shifted wide to Satala, who stepped inside well to finish, narrowing the deficit to 24-12.

Ulster responded with a score of their own, but Edinburgh had the final say through replacement prop Mikey Jones.

Showing plenty of power and determination, Jones wrestled his way over from a quick tap penalty in the 76th minute to bring the score to its final tally of 31-19.

The team will now return to Edinburgh to prepare for their final warm-up fixtures next Friday, a Scottish Building Society double-header against Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders at Hive Stadium