Thrilling development friendly delivers 15 tries

• 14 Mar 2025
• News

Hive Stadium witnessed a truly captivating development friendly as Edinburgh Rugby and Saracens served up a scoring-fest, with the visitors ultimately edging a 15-try thriller 54-45.

Despite the final scoreline, the evening was a resounding success for Edinburgh, providing invaluable experience for a host of young players while showcasing the depth of the squad.

Stirling County winger Ross McKnight stole the show, bagging a remarkable hat-trick and earning the Player of the Match accolade.

Saracens, fielding a strong and experienced side, started brightly, racing to a 0-21 lead courtesy of tries from Tobias Elliot, James Hadfield, and Lucio Cinti.

However, Edinburgh responded with spirit. Captain Charlie Shiel wrestled over from close range before McKnight’s first try, a powerful finish after collecting a pinpoint cross-field penalty, reduced the deficit to 12-21 at the interval.

Edinburgh emerged from the sheds with renewed vigour, and McKnight was quickly on the scoresheet again, finishing out wide to narrow the gap to 19-21.

Ross McKnight grabbed a hat-trick to be named Player of the Match

Saracens’ experienced scrum-half, Ivan Van Zyl, restored their advantage, but McKnight completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, soaring high to pluck a cross-field kick from Cammy Scott and sprint clear.

Tobias Elliot grabbed his second try of the match for Saracens, pushing the lead back to 26-33.

McKnight then turned provider, breaking through the Saracens defence before feeding replacement Conor McAlpine, who was illegally halted, resulting in a yellow card for Lozowski.

Edinburgh capitalised, moving the ball wide for Sam Leweni to touch down, making it 31-33.

Elliot then secured his own hat-trick for Saracens, extending the lead to 31-38.

Edinburgh retaliated once more, with replacement Shedden scoring after an electric break from Freddie Owsley, who had impressed after being drafted in from Watsonians on the day.

Charlie Shiel captained the side grabbing a first-half score

Two minutes later, Cammy Scott scored what was arguably the try of the match, finishing a sensational passage of play featuring incredible breaks and offloads from Leweni, Jerry Blyth Lafferty, and Mikey Jones, pushing Edinburgh into a 45-40 lead.

However, Saracens finished strongly, scoring two late tries through Alec Cleary and Gareth Simpson to ultimately clinch victory.

While the result favoured Saracens, the evening was a testament to the depth and potential of the Edinburgh squad.

Young players like Harri Morris, Liam McConnell, Euan McVie, Cammy Scott and Conor McAlpine all stepped up to the challenge, demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level.

Edinburgh now refocus their efforts on the BKT United Rugby Championship, travelling to Italy to face Benetton at Stadio Monigo next Saturday (22 March).