Scotland stars return for 1872 Cup opener
19 Dec 2025Edinburgh Rugby has named its side for tomorrow’s 1872 Cup opener against Glasgow Warriors at Hampden Park (Saturday 20 December, kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports.
Head Coach Sean Everitt welcomes back a wealth of international experience, with wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe among eight changes to the starting lineup.
They are joined by Pierre Schoeman, Grant Gilchrist, Dylan Richardson, and club captain Magnus Bradbury, all of whom return after being rested last weekend.
Wes Goosen and Ewan Ashman both start after featuring from the bench in last weekend’s Investec Champions Cup clash in Castres.
Beyond the silverware of rugby’s oldest derby, Edinburgh head west hunting crucial BKT United Rugby Championship points, with the return leg taking place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield next weekend (Saturday 27 December, kick-off 3pm).
On the selection, Everitt said: “We’re excited to get stuck into it at Hampden tomorrow, playing in front of a big crowd in Glasgow before facing them again at Scottish Gas Murrayfield next week.
“1872 bragging rights are up for grabs, but they’re a bonus, we want to get URC points. It’s a congested table right now, so every point we can get will be crucial for our season.”
Goosen returns at full-back to anchor an explosive back-three featuring British & Irish Lions Graham and Van der Merwe.
In a settled midfield, Matt Currie and Piers O’Conor continue their centre partnership, while Cammy Scott and Ben Vellacott pull the strings at half-back for the third consecutive week.
In the pack, 19-year-old tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty is set for a career milestone, making his 1872 Cup debut alongside the experienced Ashman and Schoeman.
Double-centurion Gilchrist partners Glen Young in the second-row.
The back row sees Liam McConnell – fresh from signing a new deal with his hometown club – start at blindside, joining the returning Bradbury and Richardson to complete the pack.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Glasgow Warriors at Hampden Park in the 1872 Cup
Saturday 20 December (kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (62)
14. Darcy Graham (86)
13. Matt Currie (65)
12. Piers O’Conor (7)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (108)
10. Cammy Scott (23)
9. Ben Vellacott (81)
1. Pierre Schoeman (140)
2. Ewan Ashman (44)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (3)
4. Glen Young (54)
5. Grant Gilchrist (225)
6. Liam McConnell (12)
7. Dylan Richardson (5)
8. Magnus Bradbury (140) CAPTAIN
Replacements
16. Harri Morris (8)
17. Boan Venter (96)
18. Paul Hill (21)
19. Callum Hunter-Hill (23)
20. Freddy Douglas (11)
21. Conor McAlpine (3)
22. Ross Thompson (29)
23. Matt Davidson (1)
Unavailable Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Tom Currie (knee), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Ben Muncaster (knee), Marshall Sykes (arm), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Findlay Thomson (hand), James Lang (shoulder), Ross McCann (concussion), Jack Brown (concussion), Ross McKnight (ankle).
