Two changes for Quarter-Final clash

11 Apr 2025

Head Coach Sean Everitt has made two changes for tomorrow afternoon’s EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter Final against Vodacom Bulls at Hive Stadium (Saturday 12 April, kick-off 12.30pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Edinburgh welcome the men from Pretoria to Hive Stadium for their first home European Quarter-Final since facing Wasps in 2022, and Everitt has named a consistent side to the one that triumphed against Emirates Lions in the Round of 16.

Both changes are in the front row, with Ewan Ashman and Boan Venter promoted to the starting lineup at hooker and loosehead respectively.

On the match, Everitt said: “This will be a step up. Bulls are two-time URC finalists, and they had a good away win against Bayonne last weekend to progress to the last eight.

“We spoke last week about getting a home Round of 16 and Quarter-Final, and we’ve managed that. Now, if we get through, we get a home semi. We have set ourselves up nicely, but like I say, it’s a difficult challenge ahead of us. One that we’re not afraid of, and one that we certainly are going for.”

Everitt names an unchanged backline as Wes Goosen – Player of the Match against Emirates Lions – continues at fullback alongside wingers Darcy Graham and Ross McCann. James Lang and Matt Currie continue to form the midfield at inside and outside centre respectively.

Ross Thompson caps the week he signed a new two-year deal with a start at fly-half, partnering co-captain Ben Vellacott in the halves.

In the pack, Javan Sebastian once again starts at tighthead, alongside Venter and Ashman to complete the front row.

The experienced pairing of Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner continue in the second-row, the same combination which started against the Sharks in last season’s European Quarter-Final in Durban.

The back-row is formed of a trio of club centurions, with Jamie Ritchie (blindside flanker), Hamish Watson (openside flanker) and Magnus Bradbury (number-eight) starting together for consecutive matches.

Everitt makes four further changes on the bench, with lock Robert Carmichael, tighthead D’arcy Rae, back-row Ben Muncaster, and centre Mosese Tuipulotu coming into the matchday 23.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Vodacom Bulls at Hive Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
Saturday 12 April, kick-off 12.30pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (50)

14. Darcy Graham (77)
13. Matt Currie (57)
12. James Lang (69)
11. Ross McCann (11)

10. Ross Thompson (19)
9. Ben Vellacott (74) CO-CAPTAIN

1. Boan Venter (85)
2. Ewan Ashman (32)
3. Javan Sebastian (25)
4. Sam Skinner (37)
5. Grant Gilchrist (216) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (126)
7. Hamish Watson (173)
8. Magnus Bradbury (127)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (103)
17. Pierre Schoeman (128)
18. D’arcy Rae (20)
19. Robert Carmichael (2)
20. Ben Muncaster (41)
21. Ali Price (34)
22. Cammy Scott (16)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (16)

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).