Published sixteenth Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
Edinburgh Rugby will give a debut to promising younger scrum-half Hector Patterson in Friday’s residence match towards Zebre.
The capital facet are out of rivalry within the United Rugby Championship and can use their remaining 4 video games as alternatives to combine some contemporary blood.
Patterson, 21, comes from good inventory: his father, Derrick Patterson, was capped twice by Scotland within the Nineties and performed on the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Hector, a former Scotland Under-20 international, has had to overcome some harm points, together with a damaged wrist, however is now set for his skilled bow.
“Hector, unfortunately, over the last couple of years since I’ve been here, hasn’t played much rugby due to injury, but he’s got through a couple of months now where he has trained exceptionally well,” stated Sean Everitt, the Edinburgh head coach. “He has performed well at training, and we just feel that he could be something for the future in Scotland. We would love to see what he can do in a game situation.
“Hector’s a popular guy within our group. The players want to see him do well, and there was a lot of excitement around his selection this week.”
A harmful 9 who hyperlinks properly
Patterson who, like his father, got here by way of the ranks at Hawick, has been working with the membership’s abilities coach Bob Chrystie and former Edinburgh scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and Everitt has been impressed along with his growth. He was half of the Scotland U20 squad which gained the World Rugby U20 Trophy two years in the past however has since discovered his progress hindered by accidents.
Everitt likes what he has seen of the younger 9 and has recollections of watching his father play.
“His father actually played in Durban back in the day when I was playing. But Hector is obviously a dangerous nine. He’s a running nine. He links well with the outside backs when there’s an opportunity on a line break.
“We’ve seen some really good tries that he’s scored for Scotland under-20 as well. So hopefully he can show us that same form.”
Zebre have been troublesome opponents for Edinburgh
Patterson, who hails from Denholm, is one of 12 present Edinburgh academy gamers or academy graduates within the matchday 23 and there are additionally notable inclusions for Findlay Thomson, 21, at inside centre, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 20, at tighthead prop and Freddy Douglas, 20, and Liam McConnell, 21, within the again row. The latter pair are joined by Connor Boyle, who has been chosen at No 8 and makes solely his second begin after an extended harm absence.
Two extra kids, Tom Currie and Jack Brown, are on the bench.
Injuries have compelled Everitt’s hand to a sure extent however Edinburgh’s poor type within the URC additionally suggests the younger gamers deserve a shot.
Zebre have proved troublesome opponents for Everitt. They beat Edinburgh at Hive Stadium final season and likewise gained in Parma within the opening sport of this marketing campaign. In reality, you will have to return to May 10, 2024 for Edinburgh’s final victory over the Italian facet.
How Edinburgh will line up towards Zebre
Edinburgh Rugby crew (v Zebre Parma, BKT United Rugby Championship, Hive Stadium, Friday, 7.45pm)
15. Piers O’Conor; 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Mosese Tuipulotu, 12. Findlay Thomson, 11. Malelili Satala; 10. Ross Thompson, 9. Hector Patterson; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Freddy Douglas, 8. Connor Boyle. Replacements: 16. Dylan Richardson, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Glen Young, 20. Tom Currie, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Cammy Scott, 23. Jack Brown.
