Edinburgh sides named for Scottish Building Society pre-season double header

The capital club will welcome two English sides to Hive Stadium for the first time as they complete their final preparations for the upcoming season, which starts with a trip to face Zebre Parma in Round 1 of the BKT United Rugby Championship next weekend – a youthful side first takes the field against Doncaster, before an experienced 23 lines up to face 2024 Champ Rugby winners, Ealing at 8pm.

Ahead of the double-header, Head Coach Sean Everitt, said: “These matches are an exciting opportunity for the coaches and supporters to see our whole squad in action. Most of the players will be getting minutes on Friday night against two quality sides.

“We’re really looking forward to being back with our fans again. It has felt like a long time since our last game at Hive Stadium, and we can’t wait to be back out there again with back-to-back fixtures this Friday night.”

The opener will see a youthful side take on Doncaster Knights at 5pm.

Academy full-back Jack Brown starts having featured for 80 minutes against Ulster last weekend, with Malelili Satala and Ross McKnight named on the wings.

GB Sevens back Matt Davidson again features, starting at inside-centre alongside Nairn Moncrieff in the midfield.

Scrum-half Conor McAlpine starts, having impressed in Belfast, partnering academy fly-half Ross Wolfenden.

In the front row, Harri Morris (hooker) joins academy and Scotland U20 prop duo Jamie Stewart (loosehead) and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (tighthead).

Glen Young starts at lock to face his former side, partnering Christian Lindsay for the second week.

The back-row is formed of young trio of Ollie Duncan (number-eight), Tom Currie (openside flanker) and Sam Byrd (blindside).

Edinburgh are able to call upon Glasgow Warriors duo Ryan Burke (lock) and back-row Dylan Cockburn (lock/back-row) who are both named among the replacements.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights at Hive Stadium
Friday 19 September, kick-off 5pm

15. Jack Brown

14. Malelili Satala
13. Nairn Moncrieff
12. Matt Davidson
11. Ross McKnight

10. Ross Wolfenden
9. Conor McAlpine

1. Jamie Stewart
2. Harri Morris
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
4. Christian Lindsay
5. Glen Young
6. Sam Byrd
7. Tom Currie
8. Ollie Duncan

Replacements

Jerry Blyth-Lafferty
Ben White
Angus Williams
Ryan Burke
Dylan Cockburn
Hector Patterson
Henry Widdowson
Rory McHaffie

Everitt has then named a strong side to face 2024 Champ Rugby winners, Ealing at 8pm.

The club’s 2024/25 Scottish Building Society Player of the Season Wes Goosen gets his first runout of pre-season at full-back, with Scotland international Harry Paterson and academy winger Lewis Wells completing the back three.

In the midfield, James Lang starts at inside-centre, while Edinburgh fans will get their first glimpse of summer signing Piers O’Conor at outside-centre.

Ross Thompson starts at fly-half as he did in Belfast last week, partnering scrum-half Ben Vellacott in the halves.

British & Irish Lion Ewan Ashman makes his return to capital action at hooker, with Paul Hill (tighthead) and new-signing James Whitcombe (loosehead) making up the front-row.

Scotland internationals Marshall Sykes and Grant Gilchrist form the second-row, with Freddy Douglas (openside flanker), Luke Crosbie (blindside) and number-eight Magnus Bradbury completing the starting pack.

The replacements for the Ealing match include Paddy Harrison, D’arcy Rae, Mikey Jones, Sam Skinner, Liam McConnell, Hamish Watson, Charlie Shiel, Cammy Scott, and Ross McCann.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ealing Trailfinders Hive Stadium
Friday 19 September, kick-off 8pm

15. Wes Goosen

14. Harry Paterson
13. Piers O’Conor
12. James Lang
11. Lewis Wells

10. Ross Thompson
9. Ben Vellacott

1. James Whitcombe
2. Ewan Ashman
3. Paul Hill
4. Marshall Sykes
5. Grant Gilchrist
6. Luke Crosbie
7. Freddy Douglas
8. Magnus Bradbury

Replacements

Paddy Harrison
D’arcy Rae
Mikey Jones
Sam Skinner
Liam McConnell
Hamish Watson
Charlie Shiel
Cammy Scott
Ross McCann