Edinburgh side named for home finale

A strong side is named for the ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ clash which sees the club pay tribute to the capital faithful who’ve backed the team throughout the 2022/23 campaign, with a range of activities planned across match night including free food vouchers, player signing sessions and Q&As, and live music in the supporters’ clubhouse and fanzone.

More info on F.A.N can be found here!

Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie skippers the team while tighthead prop WP Nel is handed a start having this week penned a new deal which will take the club centurion into his 12^thseason with the club.

Lock Marshall Sykes comes into the boiler room in the place of Grant Gilchrist who misses out with a foot injury.

In the backs, Ben Vellacott gets the nod at scrum-half having provided a spark from the bench in recent weeks, while Damien Hoyland starts on the wing in what will be the hometown centurion’s final home fixture for the club.

Ahead of the match-up, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “This is a massive game for both our players and the fans. The results haven’t gone our way, but we’ve been working especially hard in training to change this around and we want to put in a display that will make the Edinburgh supporters proud.

“It’s Fan Appreciation Night and we’re expecting a really good crowd at DAM Health Stadium for our home finale. It should be an electric atmosphere from kick-off which will drive our players on. 

“There are guys playing their final home game for the club, while there are also guys who’ll be keen to show what they’re about ahead of a big summer of rugby. Every player pulling on the jersey will be motivated for what is a really important match for the club.”

In the back-three, Argentine internationalist Emiliano Boffelli starts at full-back alongside Hoyland and Graham on opposite wings.

The familiar centre pairing of Mark Bennett and James Lang continues in the capital midfield as stand-off Blair Kinghorn links up with Vellacott at half-back. 

Hooker Dave Cherry packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman and Nel, as locks Sykes and Sam Skinner complete the tight-five.

Star back-row duo Hamish Watson and Ritchie are paired on the flanks as Fijian number 8 Viliame Mata anchors the pack.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ospreys at DAM Health Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 15 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Viaplay

15. Emiliano Boffelli (29)

14. Darcy Graham (58)
13. Mark Bennett (86)
12. James Lang (37)
11. Damien Hoyland (104)

10. Blair Kinghorn (132)
9. Ben Vellacott (37)

1. Pierre Schoeman (96)
2. Dave Cherry (69)
3. WP Nel (186)
4. Marshall Sykes (40)
5. Sam Skinner (12)
6. Jamie Ritchie (96) CAPTAIN 
7. Hamish Watson (138)
8. Viliame Mata (114)

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally (175)
17. Boan Venter (44)
18. Luan de Bruin (20)
19. Jamie Hodgson (52)
20. Connor Boyle (30)
21. Henry Pyrgos (82)
22. Chris Dean (134)
23. Duhan van der Merwe (73)

Unavailable: Jack Blain, Luke Crosbie, Matt Currie, Grant Gilchrist, Wes Goosen, Nick Haining, Henry Immelman, Ben Muncaster, Harry Paterson.