Scotland stars return for Castres clash

• 15 Dec 2023
• Team Announcement
• News

Several Scotland stars return to the Edinburgh Rugby starting line-up for tomorrow afternoon’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Castres Olympique at Hive Stadium (Saturday 16 December, kick-off 1pm) – live on Viaplay.

Pierre Schoeman, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Ali Price, Ben Healy, and the recently re-signed James Lang all start, while Darcy Graham makes a welcome return to a capital team sheet for the first time this season, as a replacement, as he completes his recovery from the hip / knee injury sustained in the Rugby World Cup.

Outside centre Matt Currie, lock Glen Young and wing Wes Goosen – who all featured from the bench at Stade Marcel-Michelin – return to the starting line-up in the only other changes to the capital XV.

On his selection, Senior Coach Sean Everitt said: “It’s great to welcome back our Scotland internationalists for tomorrow afternoon’s match.

“They bring added quality, leadership, and experience to the team for a match which is vital to our hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.

“After two weeks on the road, we’re excited to be back home at Hive Stadium where our fans have been incredible so far this year. European fixtures are always brilliant occasions for the supporters so hopefully we can provide the entertainment and our fans are walking away happy on Saturday afternoon.”

He continued: “It’s also fantastic to see Darcy [Graham] return from injury to be involved for the first time this season. He’s a special player who has fans on their feet every time he touches the ball and I’m sure the Edinburgh supporters will be eager to see him back on the pitch representing the club.”

In the back-three, Harry Paterson – making his third straight start – shifts to full-back as Goosen and Duhan van der Merwe line up on opposite wings.

Lang and Currie link-up in midfield as Scotland duo Price and Healy get the nod at half-back.

Up front, hooker Ewan Ashman continues alongside props Javan Sebastian – a try-scorer in Clermont – and Schoeman, as lock Gilchrist and Young complete the tight-five.

Number 8 Viliame Mata anchors a back-row featuring Scotland flankers Hamish Watson and Ritchie.

Elsewhere, hooker Dave Cherry recovers from an ankle injury to be named among the replacements alongside summer signing, D’Arcy Rae, who is in line to make his competitive debut for the club.

There is also a place on the bench for Marshall Sykes who is set to make his 50th appearance for the club.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Castres Olympique at Hive Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup
Saturday 16 December (kick-off 1pm) – live on Viaplay

15. Harry Paterson (6)

14. Wes Goosen (18)
13. Matt Currie (24)
12. James Lang (43)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (80)

10. Ben Healy (7)
9. Ali Price (3)

1. Pierre Schoeman (103)
2. Ewan Ashman (7)
3. Javan Sebastian (7)
4. Glen Young (30)
5. Grant Gilchrist (193) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (101)
7. Hamish Watson (144)
8. Viliame Mata (122)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (77)
17. Robin Hislop (23)
18. D’Arcy Rae*
19. Marshall Sykes (49)
20. Luke Crosbie (89)
21. Ben Vellacott (45)
22. Mark Bennett (94)
23. Darcy Graham (60)

Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (toe), Luan de Bruin (back), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), Cam Neild (knee), WP Nel (groin), Sam Skinner (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Tim Swiel (concussion).

*Edinburgh Rugby debut