Edinburgh’s only defeat in the opening three rounds of the BKY United Rugby Championship was to Leinster in Dublin last weekend.

The Scotsmen have won their last two fixtures at Hive Stadium and have not won three in a row at the venue in the United Rugby Championship since April 2022.

Edinburgh have gained just three victories against Irish provinces since the start of 2020, and all were over today’s opponents Connacht.

Top of the table Connacht remain the only side with a 100% winning record in the BKT United Rugby Championship this season.

Connacht have won three of their last five away games in the Championship.
Connacht have already beaten a Scottish opponent this season, accounting for Glasgow in Round 2 and have not achieved such a double since 2020/21.

Edinburgh have lost just two of their last seven fixtures against Connacht. The Irishmen lost 8-56 on their only previous visit to Hive Stadium in March 2022.

Team News

Pierre Schoeman lines up for the 100th time in an Edinburgh jersey, while Boan Venter will make his 50th if used from the replacements.

Edinburgh play host to table-toppers Connacht, with the Galwaymen having won all three of their opening fixtures of the 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship season.

Representing the Irish province of Connacht, the men in green ply their trade at the Galway Sportsground, and boast a rich history and tradition in the game.

Founded in 1885, the westeners have regularly punched above their weight, with the province home to just over 8% of the total Irish population.

A crowning moment for the side was their triumph in the 2016 PRO12, defeating star-studded provincial rivals Leinster 20-10 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

The men in green enjoyed another successful campaign last season, before narrowly losing out in the BKT URC semi-finals away against the Stormers.

Connacht took a resounding win at the Sportsground, with a Caolin Blade hat-trick inflicting a convincing defeat on the men from the capital.

The reverse fixture in 2021/22 saw a Blair Kinghorn-led Edinburgh side put the visitors to the sword at Hive Stadium, the hosts running out 56-8 winners.

The sides also met in the recent Scottish Building Society pre-season series in an entertaining clash at Hive Stadium – a glimpse into the excitement that can be expected at this Saturday’s encounter.