Match Preview: Ospreys
29 Feb 2024Get set for Friday night's crucial BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Ospreys at Hive Stadium (1 March, kick-off 7.35pm) with our match preview.
GET TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased right up until kick-off HERE. Gates open at 6pm ahead of a 7.35pm kick-off.
WHAT’S ON
There’s plenty on the go at Hive Stadium as match night returns to the capital!
- Live music from Dead Sea Souls
- Support our Services activity in the Fan Zone
- Live URC action in the Clubhouse
- Get a photo with the Calcutta & Doddie Weir Cups in The Clubhouse
Read our What’s on Guide HERE.
TEAM NEWS
Mark Bennett makes his 100th appearance for the club as one of four changes made to the capital XV for the visit of Ospreys.
Mark Bennett takes the place of James Lang who drops to the bench, with Matt Currie moving to the 12 jersey.
Ben Vellacott – who skippers the side – starts in place of Ali Price, with the British & Irish Lion selected on the bench.
Sam Skinner returns from Scotland camp taking the place of Marshall Sykes, who is also named among the replacements.
Tom Dodd starts at blindside flanker in place of Jamie Ritchie who is retained by Scotland.
Full team news can be read HERE.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID
Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We’re excited to be back home at Hive Stadium for what is a hugely important fixture for the club.
“With the log so tight and teams around us playing each other this weekend, a win is imperative in maintaining our push for a top-eight finish.
“Ospreys are playing with no fear, and they’ll travel north with plenty of confidence, but we’re at home where we love to play under the lights. It’s Friday night and the Edinburgh supporters will be out in full force – it’s set to be a brilliant occasion.”
He continued: “We’re delighted to see Mark [Bennett] make his 100th appearance for the club. He’s been a brilliant servant to Edinburgh Rugby and thoroughly deserves a start on a special night for him personally.”
THE STORY SO FAR
Its’s tight at the top…
With a 7-3 record, Edinburgh sit in fifth place in the Championship on 30 points.
With a 6-4 record, Ospreys sit in seventh place in the Championship on 29 points.
That makes Friday night’s clash at Hive Stadium massive in terms of each team’s aspirations for a top eight finish.
Ospreys are flying high having won 5-in-a-row, while Edinburgh have lost just one game at home so far this season and will be hoping for a massive win to keep momentum going heading into the business end of the year.
LAST TIME OUT
Edinburgh claimed a decisive 45-21 victory over the Welsh region in the final home game of last season – check out highlights below:
DID YOU KNOW
Edinburgh Rugby’s only two defeats in the last seven rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship were at home to Benetton in Round 6 and away at Glasgow in Round 8.
Edinburgh’s only defeat in their last five fixtures against Welsh regions in the Championship was 14-42 at Scarlets in February 2023.
Ospreys have won their last five first team fixtures since their 5-38 defeat at Montpellier in Round 2 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Ospreys only victory outside of Wales in the BKT United Rugby Championship since October 2021 was on their visit to Zebre in January 2023.
Ospreys have won just once in Scotland since March 2017: 25-10 against today’s opponents, Edinburgh, at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in October 2020.
Edinburgh won 45-21 the last time the two sides met, at Hive Stadium in April 2023.
