Five Lions to roar for Edinburgh

2 Oct 2025

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt has named five British & Irish Lions in the starting lineup for tomorrow night’s BKT United Rugby Championship home opener against Ulster at Hive Stadium (Friday 3 October, kick-off 7pm) – live on Premier Sports.

A packed Hive Stadium will see return of star winger Darcy Graham for the first time since the injury sustained on the tour, making his season debut on the wing alongside fellow British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe, who earns a starting spot after coming off the bench last week.

The match has been moved to the slightly earlier time of 7pm to avoid the worst of the weather forecast for later in the evening, with turnstiles opening at 6pm.

In the pack, Everitt gives starts to Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and flanker Hamish Watson (openside flanker), joining hooker Ewan Ashman in the starting XV.

With a capacity crowd expected at Hive Stadium, the stage is set for the return of the capital stars as Edinburgh hunt for their maiden win of the season.

On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s brilliant to be able to welcome guys of that calibre into our side. It was great to see them playing so well in the famous red jerseys this summer, and we’re looking forward to seeing them back at home in front of our fans.

“Ulster are a tough team to play, and put away a spirited Dragons side last week, so we’ll need to be at our best tomorrow night to get the result we want in front of our home support.”

Wes Goosen once again starts at full-back, alongside wingers Graham and van der Merwe. The midfield is unchanged from last week’s away fixture against Zebre Parma, with James Lang and Piers O’Conor starting at inside and outside centre respectively.

Livewire scrum-half Ben Vellacott retains the number nine jersey after a try scoring performance last weekend, again partnering out-half Ben Healy.

Tighthead prop D’arcy Rae starts, having been used as a replacement last time out, joining Schoeman and Ashman in the front row.

Everitt names an unchanged engine room, with Marshall Sykes and Grant Gilchrist once again starting at lock.

Magnus Bradbury captains the team at home for the first time this season, leading a strong back-row. He’s fresh off a try last week and is joined by fellow try-scorer Liam McConnell, and 2021 British & Irish Lion Watson.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 3 October (kick-off 7pm) – live on Premier Sports.

15. Wes Goosen (56)

14. Darcy Graham (83)
13. Piers O’Conor (1)
12. James Lang (76)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (104)

10. Ben Healy (40)
9. Ben Vellacott (76)

1. Pierre Schoeman (135)
2. Ewan Ashman (39)
3. D’arcy Rae (28)
4. Marshall Sykes (85)
5. Grant Gilchrist (221)
6. Liam McConnell (6)
7. Hamish Watson (180)
8. Magnus Bradbury (135) CAPTAIN

Replacements

16. Paddy Harrison (34)
17. James Whitcombe (1)
18. Angus Williams (29)
19. Sam Skinner (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (7)
21. Charlie Shiel (75)
22. Findlay Thomson (1)
23. Harry Paterson (18)

Unavailable: Paul Hill, Luke Crosbie, Charlie McCaig, Rhys Litterick, Cammy Scott , Ross Thompson, Matt Currie, Dylan Richardson, Callum Hunter-Hill, Ben Muncaster, Rob Carmichael, Connor Boyle, Mosese Tuipulotu.