Edinburgh Rugby young guns take ownership while enjoying the ride as hooker reveals family goal

Edinburgh were missing 12 full Scotland internationals for Friday’s match with the Stormers and in their place came a battalion of youngsters and academy graduates who had enough about them to help the team to a hard-fought 17-13 win.

To be fair, the South African visitors were without a fair few of their Springbok contingent but they did have double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi in the back row.

The home side were not fazed by the presence of a bona fide superstar and ground out the result in difficult conditions to make it two wins from two in the new United Rugby Championship season, their best start for three years.

Edinburgh's Jerry Blyth-Lafferty on the attack in the United Rugby Championship win over the DHL Stormers at Hive Stadium. | SNS Group

Ten of Edinburgh’s 23-man squad were 22 or under and, according to Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, they are playing with smiles on their faces while also taking on the responsibility of winning against seasoned pros.

Taking ownership

“That was really good fun,” said the hooker, who came off the bench and helped create the game’s opening try for fellow sub Paul Hill. “As tight as it was, and as much hard work went into it, it was enjoyable at the end of the day. We just showed how we wanted to play with tempo and digging in as well.

“Towards the end of the game we had a lot of youngsters on the pitch. As we said, [there’s] maybe not a full list of internationals ready to come back yet. There was a bit of ownership for the young boys coming onto the field. I felt that personally when I came on after about 50 minutes.

“There's guys up there in the [coaches] box that have got trust in me. They believe that we can get the job done.”

Blyth-Lafferty is 22 and signed his first pro contract in April after coming through the ranks at Boroughmuir RFC and then Edinburgh Rugby's academy, following in the footsteps of his younger brother Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 20, who started against the Stormers.

Ollie, a tighthead prop, came off on Friday at the same time his brother went on. The aim now is for them to both be in the run-on XV.

Jerry's younger brother Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, right, started for Edinburgh against the Stormers at Hive Stadium. | SNS Group

“We've been on the pitch together a few times,” said Jerry. “We've been on the bench together on my debut. But we've never started together. That's something that's definitely a goal of ours.”

Jerry played a bit at centre in his youth and is a dangerous runner with ball in hand, as he showed on Friday. It’s an part of the game he relishes.

I might annoy the tens...

“I'm not the biggest guy in the world, certainly not for a front-rower anyway. Maybe it plays a little bit more to my strengths. I really enjoy that aspect of the game. I like getting the ball in my hands.

“I like doing more than what's expected of a front-rower, even though that might annoy some tens out there when I'm trying to sling passes I'm not capable of!”

It’s Zebre away next and a win in Italy would reinforce the sense that Edinburgh are a club reborn after the torpor of last season.

“I think it comes down to enjoyment at the end of the day,” added Jerry. “We were in a tough spot last year. It feels more like a fresh start. We've got guys that are really enjoying their rugby. We're a good bunch of boys as well. We're all really close off the field. I think that enjoyment part is the key. Then the performances will come.”