Sykes returns for Cardiff clash

• 24 Oct 2025
• Team Announcement

Scotland international Marshall Sykes returns to the starting XV for tomorrow night’s clash of the capitals against Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park (Saturday 25 October, kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Back in the squad after being rested against Benetton, Sykes was one of thirteen Edinburgh players this week selected in Scotland’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Quilter Nations Series.

The lock’s inclusion is one of three changes to the starting XV that earned Edinburgh’s first win of the season last time out. Ross McCann and Lewis Wells start on the wings in place of the injured duo of Duhan van der Merwe (heel) and Darcy Graham (knee).

Van der Merwe and Graham both picked up injuries in Friday’s victory over Benetton, however the duo are expected to be fit for Scotland’s Quilter Nations Series campaign.

On the match, Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “It’s always a test going away in the URC, and Saturday will be no different against a side that have started the season well.

“They’re unbeaten at home, and kick really well, so we’ll need to be at our best to get the result we want to finish this first block on a high.”

Full-back Wes Goosen once again starts at full-back, alongside new wing pair Wells and McCann.

The half-back pairing of Cammy Scott and Charlie Shiel remains unchanged, as does the ever-present centre duo of James Lang and Piers O’Conor.

Everitt names an unchanged front-row for the trip to South Wales. Props Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and D’arcy Rae (tighthead) start either side of hooker Ewan Ashman.

Sykes joins double-centurion Grant Gilchrist in the second row. Dylan Richardson (openside flanker), Liam McConnell (blindside) and number 8 Magnus Bradbury – all of whom were named in the Quilter Nations Series squad – complete the pack.

In the replacements, Everitt welcomes the return of Springbok prop Boan Venter, while Callum Hunter-Hill could make his first appearance for the club since his summer return from England.

Sevens star Matt Davidson could also make his Edinburgh Rugby debut from the bench, having featured for the club in pre-season and ‘A’ team fixtures.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 25 October, kick-off 7.45pm – live on Premier Sports.

15. Wes Goosen (58)

14. Ross McCann (14)
13. Piers O’Conor (3)
12. James Lang (78)
11. Lewis Wells (2)

10. Cammy Scott (19)
9. Charlie Shiel (77)

1. Pierre Schoeman (137)
2. Ewan Ashman (41)
3. D’arcy Rae (30)
4. Marshall Sykes (86)
5. Grant Gilchrist (222)
6. Liam McConnell (8)
7. Dylan Richardson (2)
8. Magnus Bradbury (137) CAPTAIN

Replacements 

16. Paddy Harrison (36)
17. Boan Venter (92)
18. Paul Hill (17)
19. Callum Hunter-Hill (20)
20. Luke Crosbie (111)
21. Ben Vellacott (78)
22. Ross Thompson (27)
23. Matt Davidson*

Unavailable: Duhan van der Merwe (heel), Darcy Graham (knee), Ben Muncaster (ankle), Harry Paterson (concussion), Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Matt Currie (head), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Connor Boyle (knee), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee).

*Edinburgh Rugby debut