Patterson debuts as Edinburgh Rugby make six changes for Hive Stadium return

Patterson, 21, a product of the club’s academy and a key member of the Scotland side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy, gets his first senior start having previously been named on the bench against Leinster in November 2023 without featuring.

The Denholm nine – who came through the ranks at Hawick RFC – is one of 12 current Edinburgh Rugby academy players, or academy graduates, named in the matchday 23 – a statement of the strength of the capital club’s player development pathway.

With James Lang ruled out through an ankle injury and Matt Currie sidelined with a hamstring problem, Mosese Tuipulotu and Findlay Thomson are paired together in the centres.

Thomson, 21, makes a welcome comeback from injury (thumb), having last featured against Ospreys in November when he was named BKT Player of the Match.

Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 20, gets the nod at tighthead prop in the absence of D’arcy Rae, who misses out with a calf injury.

In the back-row, Freddy Douglas, 20, comes in at openside flanker and Connor Boyle is named at number 8, with Ben Muncaster ruled out for the remainder of the season (ankle) and club captain Magnus Bradbury continuing his return to full fitness.

Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “Injuries are never easy to take, but one of the things they do is open doors for players who are ready and waiting for their chance – and this week is a perfect example of that.

“Hector [Patterson] has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and he thoroughly deserves his opportunity. Findlay [Thomson] coming back into the side is also a real boost for us, and it’s great to see him firing again.

“When you look at that matchday 23 and count 12 players who have come through this club’s academy system, that tells you everything about the work being done behind the scenes. It’s genuinely exciting to see the next generation stepping up and putting their hands up at this level.

“We’re also back at Hive Stadium, which means a great deal to this group. Playing in front of our home support gives everyone a lift – the players are really looking forward to Friday night and we want to put on a performance that this city can be proud of.”

Piers O’Conor retains his place at full-back, with British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham and Malelili Satala named on the wings.

Ross Thompson continues at fly-half, while Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman complete the starting front-row alongside Blyth-Lafferty.

Marshall Sykes partners double centurion Gilchrist in the second row, with Liam McConnell completing the back-row alongside Douglas and Boyle.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 17 April (kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Piers O’Conor (17)

14. Darcy Graham (94)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu (26)
12. Findlay Thomson (2)
11. Malelili Satala (7)

10. Ross Thompson (41)
9. Hector Patterson*

1. Pierre Schoeman (147)
2. Ewan Ashman (50)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (11)
4. Marshall Sykes (94)
5. Grant Gilchrist (230) CAPTAIN
6. Liam McConnell (21)
7. Freddy Douglas (21)
8. Connor Boyle (48)

Replacements

16. Dylan Richardson (12)
17. Boan Venter (104)
18. Paul Hill (31)
19. Glen Young (66)
20. Tom Currie (4)
21. Ben Vellacott (93)
22. Cammy Scott (30)
23. Jack Brown (11)

Unavailable: Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Conor McAlpine (hamstring), Wes Goosen (hand), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Harry Paterson (quad), Magnus Bradbury (ankle), Matt Currie (hamstring), Mikey Jones (bicep), Ben Muncaster (ankle), James Lang (ankle), D’arcy Rae (calf).