Edinburgh Rugby make bold selection calls and position switch for Champions Cup return
Everitt gives youth its chance as French cracks Toulon come to town
Rugby’s Champions Cup turned 30 this year and nine of Edinburgh’s starting side for Sunday’s Euro opener against Toulon weren’t born when the tournament kicked off in the unlikely setting of Romania on October 31, 1995.
The competition has evolved and grown over the past three decades but has yet to produce a Scottish winner, or even a finalist. It still feels some way off but the chances of it happening this season are at least strengthened by the fact that both our pro teams have qualified, something that hasn’t happened for five years.
Edinburgh have not played in the elite competition since the 2022-23 season and Sunday’s game at Hive Stadium will be head coach Sean Everitt’s first in the Champions Cup. His team selection to face the high-flying French visitors is a bold one, with Everitt putting his trust in youth.
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty has long been talked up as an outstanding prospect and could be the man to eventually succeed Zander Fagerson as Scotland’s first-choice tighthead but he is still only 19. Nevertheless, opportunity knocks for the prop will make his first start for Edinburgh against Toulon having made his debut from the bench in last week’s laboured win over the Ospreys in the URC.
The teenager will be up against Jean-Baptiste Gros, the 40-times capped France loosehead, which is a daunting prospect but the Scot has plenty of experience beside him in the front five and Everitt expects them to rally round.
“Yes, it's a massive game for Ollie,” acknowledged the coach. “And it is against a good pack of forwards, but he will be scrumming with Ewan Ashman, and he's got Pierre Schoeman with him, and he could have Boan Venter as well. And we've got a good second row with Marshall Sykes and Gilcho [Grant Gilchrist]. So, a great opportunity for him with a lot of experience around him to pull him through.”
Edinburgh’s big call at stand-off
Everitt has also been daring with his backline picks. Cammy Scott has been given the nod at 10 ahead of Ross Thompson, with Ben Healy still working his way back to full fitness after knee and hip issues.
“We didn't feel that Ross had his best game last week,” noted Everitt. “It doesn't mean that he's out of our future plans. It's just a couple of things that he needs to work on.”
Outside of Scott, there is an experimental feel to the midfield, with Wes Goosen partnering young Findlay Thomson in the centre, the latter making only his third appearance for the club. Goosen grew up playing at 13 but has not started there for Edinburgh during three-and-a-half seasons.
Everitt hopes it might help them get the ball wide to Duhan van der Merwe more often, something that has been an issue.
“He's got good decision-making skills,” said the coach. “We're looking for some punch in the 13 jersey. There were opportunities where we could have moved the ball better last weekend, and hopefully Wes can do that for us.”
With van der Merwe on one wing, the returning Darcy Graham on the other and Harry Paterson at full-back, Edinburgh don’t lack attacking threats. However, Toulon have plenty of their own, including Scotland scrum-half Ben White who will start the game at Hive Stadium ahead of Baptiste Serin, who is on the bench.
The French side are currently third in the Top 14, five points behind leaders Toulouse, but have not won on the road since the opening match of the season. Edinburgh will hope to make it another uncomfortable away day for the visitors as they look to mark their return to the Champions Cup in style.
Teams and match details
Match info: Edinburgh Rugby v RC Toulon (Investec Champions Cup Pool 2, Hive Stadium, Sunday, kick-off 5.30pm)
Edinburgh: 15. Harry Paterson; 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Wes Goosen, 12. Findlay Thomson, 11. Duhan van der Merwe; 10. Cammy Scott, 9. Ben Vellacott; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Dylan Richardson, 8. Magnus Bradbury (c). Replacements: 16. Harri Morris, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Glen Young, 20. Freddy Douglas, 21. Charlie Shiel, 22. James Lang, 23. Piers O'Conor.
Toulon: 15. Melvyn Jaminet; 14. Gaël Drean, 13. Nacho Brex, 12. Jérémy Sinzelle, 11. Mathis Ferte; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Ben White; 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Teddy Baubigny, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. David Ribbans (c), 5. Brian Alainu'uese, 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Esteban Abadie, 8. Zach Mercer. Replacements: 16. Jeremy Toevalu, 17. Leo Ametlla, 18. Dany Priso, 19. Corentin Mezou, 20. Joe Quere Karaba, 21. Baptiste Serin, 22. Matéo Garcia, 23. Mathieu Smaili.
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng).
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