Six changes for Scarlets showdown
24 Jan 2025Edinburgh Rugby make six changes for tomorrow afternoon’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (Saturday 25 January, kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports.
The capital side currently sit in eighth place on 22 points – just one point behind their sixth-placed opponents – with only six points separating them from third in a hugely competitive URC play-off picture.
Sean Everitt’s side come into Saturday’s encounter off the back of three straight wins (Glasgow, RC Vannes, Black Lion), with back-to-back European victories sealing Edinburgh’s top spot in their EPCR Challenge Cup pool, and home knockout rugby in the Round of 16.
Harry Paterson makes his return from injury to start on the wing as British & Irish Lion Ali Price gets the nod at scrum-half in the only changes to the back division.
December’s Scottish Building Society Player of the Month, Boan Venter, starts at loosehead prop, while Scotland international Glen Young – who featured from the bench in European wins over RC Vannes and Black Lion – makes his second start of the season in the second-row.
Former Scotland U20 captain Liam McConnell makes his first professional start at blindside flanker alongside centurion Hamish Watson who starts at openside, with Tom Dodd shifted to number 8.
Ahead of the match, Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “This is a really important match with such a tightly contested log. Every team in this competition is so competitive and we know that it’s going to be a battle in Llanelli tomorrow afternoon.
“Scarlets are a team we have a huge amount of respect for and they’ve been really strong at home. However we’re starting to build a bit of momentum with three wins on the bounce and we go into the match with plenty of confidence.”
Wes Goosen – a try-scorer against Black Lion – makes his 14th start of the season at full-back as Lewis Wells – a debutant in last weekend’s European win – continues on the wing alongside the returning Paterson.
Inside centre James Lang – who claimed two try-assists against Black Lion – makes his third consecutive start alongside Matt Currie, with the latter released from Scotland camp for the match-up in Llanelli.
Ben Healy continues at stand-off alongside Price.
Hooker Paddy Harrison is another international released by Scotland as the 22-year-old packs down alongside Venter and Paul Hill up front.
Sam Skinner – who grabbed his first try of the season against Black Lion – captains the side and combines with Young in the second-row.
Elsewhere, academy back-row Tom Currie is named among the replacements where he’ll have the opportunity to make both his professional debut and join older brother Matt on the pitch, becoming the first brothers to represent the club together since twins Ben and Alex Toolis.
Robin Hislop also make his return from injury and could be in line to make his first senior appearance of the season.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 25 January (kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (44)
14. Harry Paterson (11)
13. Matt Currie (51)
12. James Lang (63)
11. Lewis Wells (1)
10. Ben Healy (33)
9. Ali Price (28)
1. Boan Venter (79)
2. Paddy Harrison (23)
3. Paul Hill (10)
4. Glen Young (40)
5. Sam Skinner (32) CAPTAIN
6. Liam McConnell (1)
7. Hamish Watson (167)
8. Tom Dodd (14)
Replacements
16. Harri Morris (2)
17. Robin Hislop (25)
18. Javan Sebastian (22)
19. Rob Carmichael (1)
20. Tom Currie*
21. Ben Vellacott (68)
22. Ross Thompson (13)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (12)
Unavailable: Nathan Sweeney (knee), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Ross McCann (calf), Ben Muncaster (ankle), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Mark Bennett (pec), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (back), Magnus Bradbury (suspension).
International selection: Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, Grant Gilchrist, Marshall Sykes, Jamie Ritchie, Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham.
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
