Goosen to hit 50 against Emirates Lions

3 Apr 2025

Full-back Wes Goosen will earn his 50th cap for Edinburgh Rugby tomorrow night when his side play host to the Emirates Lions in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 at Hive Stadium (Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm) – live on Premier Sports.

The ever-present flyer reaches his half-century in the week he signed a new two-year contract extension with the capital club, having enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 campaign to date.

Goosen has bagged three tries in the Challenge Cup so far this season and will look to continue his solid form against the men from Johannesburg tomorrow night.

Head Coach Sean Everitt has made four changes to the side that beat the Dragons last time out, with Scotland international hooker Dave Cherry making his first start since the Guinness Six Nations.

On the fixture, Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We’re in a knockout week, every week, so we’re in the same situation as we were last year.

“The Lions defence is strong and they showed that in the second half against Glasgow, and they’ve got some X-Factor players there that can turn the game around very quickly which we found out in Johannesburg.”

Ross McCann starts on the wing as the only change in the backline, alongside fellow winger Darcy Graham and Goosen in the back-three.

The midfield and half-back partnerships remain unchanged, with James Lang and Matt Currie at inside and outside centre respectively, while Ross Thompson starts at fly-half next to co-captain Ben Vellacott at nine.

Cherry is one of two changes in the front row, with England international Paul Hill returning at tighthead prop, while Pierre Schoeman retains the loosehead jersey.

Sam Skinner returns from his rest period to start at lock alongside co-captain Grant Gilchrist.

The capital back-row is unchanged, with number-eight Magnus Bradbury joined by flanker duo of Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside).

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)

14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)

10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).

*Edinburgh Rugby debut