The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Big D]

I'd take Zander, Schoeman and one of Ritchie/Fagerson/Dempsey in the back row depending on the make up of the others.

There are some cracking 7s going to be left at home for sure. Curry 1, Curry 2, JVdF, Willis, Ritchie (is playing like a 7 really), Darge, Pollock and of course Douglas are probably fighting for 3 places tops.

[Jock42]

Goosen signs until 2027. Great bit of business there.

[Tichtheid]

Goosen signs on for another two years at Edinburgh.

Good news, but I fear it may be the end of Boff's stay in the capital. Boff seems like an absolutely cracking guy who really bought into the team, but belts are being tightened.

[Tichtheid]

The old knee is playing up, slowing my approach to the breakdown there

[Slick]

The old knee is playing up, slowing my approach to the breakdown there

[robmatic]

Goosen signs on for another two years at Edinburgh.

Good news, but I fear it may be the end of Boff's stay in the capital. Boff seems like an absolutely cracking guy who really bought into the team, but belts are being tightened.

Boff is class but he seems to be really struggling to get back to fitness - must be a frustrating situation for both him and the club.

Extending Goosen was probably essential given the availability of the other players in the back 3. I think we are still short of numbers there.

[Biffer]

The vids I've watched doing the Lions match 1 squads seem pretty set starting backline of
Dickson-Park,
Russel
Tuipulotu/Aki
Jones/Henshaw
VdM
Kinghorn/Keenan
Lowe/Kinghorn

Zander is the only one starting in the Pack.

Any way weeks to go and only Andy Farrell is picking the team. It'll be really interesting to see what the full touring squad is.

Soz, I'm confused as to what you mean by "Lions match 1 squads" - do you mean team for the first test?

Incidentally, Kinghorn tops a lot of 6N charts - most carries, most offloads, most line breaks, most metres carried, most metres gained.

Jamie Ritchie had most breakdown steals, Rory Darge had most clean outs. Scotland had the quickest ruck ball and Rory Darge topped the attacking ruck arrivals with Z Fagerson in 2nd equal with Itoje, Gilchrist in 4th, Matt Fagerson in 6th

Kinghorn flexibility will be used against him and hell end up on the bench for the tests. That and him not arriving until after the Top14 playoffs, which will have all the English wanker sites mentioned above howling about a lack of commitment.

[KingBlairhorn]

The vids I've watched doing the Lions match 1 squads seem pretty set starting backline of
Dickson-Park,
Russel
Tuipulotu/Aki
Jones/Henshaw
VdM
Kinghorn/Keenan
Lowe/Kinghorn

Zander is the only one starting in the Pack.

Any way weeks to go and only Andy Farrell is picking the team. It'll be really interesting to see what the full touring squad is.

A fully Irish and Scottish backline will probably see some wailing and gnashing of teeth but it's hard to argue with any of those picks.

The forwards will be much more mixed and I think there is a strong chance there are no Scottish players in the starting pack, but reps from England, Wales and Ireland are all there.

Not my choice, but I would be unsurprised by:

Furlong; Kelleher; Genge/Porter
Itoje / Ryan; Beirne
Morgan; VdF/Willis; Doris

[Yr Alban]

I keep getting "articles" on Facebook from various sources seemingly wanting van der Merwe to be injured out of the Lions tour, one is called Rugby Addicts, another is Ruck and there was one which I can't recall the name.

I know it's clickbait, but it's pretty low at the same time imo.

That's awful.

May be everyone is just a bit protective of their players but some of our lot really do seem to attract some uninformed vitriol - Finn being the main one f course, but also VdM, Darcy and Jones.

We had three tours where Scottish representation was negligible. Even the good players we did have were overlooked. (Which is why I will be annoyed if more than one or two Welsh players are picked this time round. The rules should be the same for everyone). But now we have a number of players who are pretty much certain to go, and likely to start games, and that has gone down very badly with some people, who still think that a Scotland player should always lose out to an equivalent player from a different country (which was clearly the case in the past). There was a hate fest aimed at Hogg 4 years ago, if you remember, which cost him the 15 shirt for the final test. Liam Williams then came in and was no more secure under the high ball than Hogg had been.

Russell is the main target this time, as pretty much every pundit has picked him at 10. This is his tour. He’s 32, at the top of his form, and did enough as an injury replacement last time to show he should have been starting. I remain convinced he will start and the Smiths and Prendergast will have to bide their time. However, that won’t suit some people, who continue to describe him as too unreliable, as if the last 6-7 years never happened.

I think Russell, Huwpilotu and Duhan are starters, if fit. Kinghorn deserves to start, but I agree he will probably be put on the bench because he can cover so many positions. Zander has a shout of starting but it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t.

[Biffer]

Th prop is going to be really competitive tbh. Fagerson Beirne and Stewart will all be pushing and depending on what happens on tour, any of them could be the starter.

[SaintK]

The vids I've watched doing the Lions match 1 squads seem pretty set starting backline of
Dickson-Park,
Russel
Tuipulotu/Aki
Jones/Henshaw
VdM
Kinghorn/Keenan
Lowe/Kinghorn

Zander is the only one starting in the Pack.

Any way weeks to go and only Andy Farrell is picking the team. It'll be really interesting to see what the full touring squad is.

A fully Irish and Scottish backline will probably see some wailing and gnashing of teeth but it's hard to argue with any of those picks.

The forwards will be much more mixed and I think there is a strong chance there are no Scottish players in the starting pack, but reps from England, Wales and Ireland are all there.

Not my choice, but I would be unsurprised by:

Furlong; Kelleher; Genge/Porter
Itoje / Ryan; Beirne
Morgan; VdF/Willis; Doris

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

[dkm57]

The vids I've watched doing the Lions match 1 squads seem pretty set starting backline of
Dickson-Park,
Russel
Tuipulotu/Aki
Jones/Henshaw
VdM
Kinghorn/Keenan
Lowe/Kinghorn

Zander is the only one starting in the Pack.

Any way weeks to go and only Andy Farrell is picking the team. It'll be really interesting to see what the full touring squad is.

yeah sorry I wasn't that clear 1st test starters.

Pack seems to be less consensus but seems to be

Stuart
Sheehan
Fagerson/Furlong
Itoje
Bierne/Mcarthy
Currie
Doris
VDF



Soz, I'm confused as to what you mean by "Lions match 1 squads" - do you mean team for the first test?

Incidentally, Kinghorn tops a lot of 6N charts - most carries, most offloads, most line breaks, most metres carried, most metres gained.

Jamie Ritchie had most breakdown steals, Rory Darge had most clean outs. Scotland had the quickest ruck ball and Rory Darge topped the attacking ruck arrivals with Z Fagerson in 2nd equal with Itoje, Gilchrist in 4th, Matt Fagerson in 6th

[SaintK]

Th prop is going to be really competitive tbh. Fagerson Beirne and Stewart will all be pushing and depending on what happens on tour, any of them could be the starter.

Assume you mean Furlong. Think Beirne might struggle in the front row

[Biffer]

Th prop is going to be really competitive tbh. Fagerson Beirne and Stewart will all be pushing and depending on what happens on tour, any of them could be the starter.

Assume you mean Furlong. Think Beirne might struggle in the front row

Yeah sorry

[dkm57]

He used to really piss me off when was playing for Wales but I now find Dan Biggar one of the best pundits, very good analysis and encyclopedic knowledge. Think he'd be a real asset to any coaching team.

[Tichtheid]

I don’t really support the idea of Kinghorn on the bench due to his ability to play wing, fullback and break glass fly half.

I think a Lions test team should be your strongest starting XV with the bench players coming on to replace tiring starters.
Kinghorn can still shift positions if the winger gets injured, he plays 80 minutes most games
Most importantly I think he’s the best fullback available, for me that’s the whole discussion

[Slick]

The vids I've watched doing the Lions match 1 squads seem pretty set starting backline of
Dickson-Park,
Russel
Tuipulotu/Aki
Jones/Henshaw
VdM
Kinghorn/Keenan
Lowe/Kinghorn

Zander is the only one starting in the Pack.

Any way weeks to go and only Andy Farrell is picking the team. It'll be really interesting to see what the full touring squad is.

A fully Irish and Scottish backline will probably see some wailing and gnashing of teeth but it's hard to argue with any of those picks.

The forwards will be much more mixed and I think there is a strong chance there are no Scottish players in the starting pack, but reps from England, Wales and Ireland are all there.

Not my choice, but I would be unsurprised by:

Furlong; Kelleher; Genge/Porter
Itoje / Ryan; Beirne
Morgan; VdF/Willis; Doris

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

[Slick]

He used to really piss me off when was playing for Wales but I now find Dan Biggar one of the best pundits, very good analysis and encyclopedic knowledge. Think he'd be a real asset to any coaching team.

It was always said that he was a terrific bloke away from the pitch. I kind of liked him for that

[SomersetJock]

A fully Irish and Scottish backline will probably see some wailing and gnashing of teeth but it's hard to argue with any of those picks.

The forwards will be much more mixed and I think there is a strong chance there are no Scottish players in the starting pack, but reps from England, Wales and Ireland are all there.

Not my choice, but I would be unsurprised by:

Furlong; Kelleher; Genge/Porter
Itoje / Ryan; Beirne
Morgan; VdF/Willis; Doris

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

His inability to scrummage legally seemed to have been found out a few times in the 6N. Especially against Wales.

No Idea why it has taken this long !

[Biffer]

I don’t really support the idea of Kinghorn on the bench due to his ability to play wing, fullback and break glass fly half.

I think a Lions test team should be your strongest starting XV with the bench players coming on to replace tiring starters.
Kinghorn can still shift positions if the winger gets injured, he plays 80 minutes most games
Most importantly I think he’s the best fullback available, for me that’s the whole discussion

I don't support it either, I'm just saying that's what they'll end up doing. Utter nonsense, particularly vs Australia. The Lions should be looking to rip them into pieces, which we've done multiple times over the last few years. With the Irish and English forwards, the Scottish backs (with one or two Irish men) will rack points up non stop.

[KingBlairhorn]

A fully Irish and Scottish backline will probably see some wailing and gnashing of teeth but it's hard to argue with any of those picks.

The forwards will be much more mixed and I think there is a strong chance there are no Scottish players in the starting pack, but reps from England, Wales and Ireland are all there.

Not my choice, but I would be unsurprised by:

Furlong; Kelleher; Genge/Porter
Itoje / Ryan; Beirne
Morgan; VdF/Willis; Doris

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

[Big D]

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

LHP has also been pretty average across the options. Genge has been decent and Schoeman picked up a bit at the end of the 6N but when comparing to Fagerson and Stuart of the TH side the LHs are not in as good a run of form.

[SaintK]

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

Pretty much this. I don't particularly like him but he does tend to get away with things that others don't and as you say he's been playing a part in a dominant pack for a while now.

[Slick]

Or this
Porter/Genge:Sheehan:Stuart
Itoje:Beirne
Curry:Doris:Earl/VdF
Not sure Willis be released soon enough for the first test

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

I don't remember the Ireland pack being particularly dominant this year but then again I don't tend to worry too much about the donkeys

[Tichtheid]

I don’t know why Porter keeps getting picked in all these teams, he’s not really all that good

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

I don't remember the Ireland pack being particularly dominant this year but then again I don't tend to worry too much about the donkeys

Without the work the Warrior Poets do up front you shrinking violets wouldn't have any possession to fuck up.

Scrum success during the 6N (%)

Eng 96.7
Fra 95.2
Ita 93.3
Wal 91.7
Sco 90.5
Ire 88.9

The Irish pack didn't fare too well across the board to be honest

https://theanalyst.com/six-nations-stats-2025

(click through to team stats and set piece)

[Big D]

Two things really. 1) He's part of a scrum that is often dominant. You may believe he scrummages illegally/at an angle but if the refs don't agree it's a moot point. 2) his international coach is also the Lions coach which automatically gives him a headstart in the selection battle. We are all pragmatic enough to realise where there is a 50/50 decision, the coach is more likely to go with a player he knows.

I don't remember the Ireland pack being particularly dominant this year but then again I don't tend to worry too much about the donkeys

Without the work the Warrior Poets do up front you shrinking violets wouldn't have any possession to fuck up.

Scrum success during the 6N (%)

Eng 96.7
Fra 95.2
Ita 93.3
Wal 91.7
Sco 90.5
Ire 88.9

The Irish pack didn't fare too well across the board to be honest

https://theanalyst.com/six-nations-stats-2025

(click through to team stats and set piece)

I do wonder what our scum success is between when Fagerson and Schoeman are on and the subs. Feels like our scrum success takes a dramatic hit after subs.

[Tichtheid]

I don't remember the Ireland pack being particularly dominant this year but then again I don't tend to worry too much about the donkeys

Without the work the Warrior Poets do up front you shrinking violets wouldn't have any possession to fuck up.

Scrum success during the 6N (%)

Eng 96.7
Fra 95.2
Ita 93.3
Wal 91.7
Sco 90.5
Ire 88.9

The Irish pack didn't fare too well across the board to be honest

https://theanalyst.com/six-nations-stats-2025

(click through to team stats and set piece)

I do wonder what our scum success is between when Fagerson and Schoeman are on and the subs. Feels like our scrum success takes a dramatic hit after subs.

Yeah, I think you may be correct on that. I'll feel safer when Venter is available, Sutherland just isn't back to his best yet and we really need to find a back up to Zander - we can't wait for Ollie Blyth-Lafferty to finish puberty, our needs are shorter term than that.
I don't understand Rae's omission from the team, he had been going well for Edinburgh. Sebastian is okay, he won't let us down in the scrum when he's fit, but he's no Zander.

[westport]

Glasgow Warriors A will play host to Georgian outfit Black Lion next month, after it was confirmed that the EPCR Challenge Cup side would visit Scotstoun for the first time in the squad’s history.

The match will take place at Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday 22 May, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.

Led by former Edinburgh Head Coach, Richard Cockerill, the Lion will take on a side comprised of a host of young and upcoming stars, including some of the Glasgow Warriors academy’s top prospects.

The Georgian squad – which boasts some of the Georgian national team’s leading talents – claimed one win from their four EPCR Challenge Cup matches this season, earning a 22-19 win over French side Vannes.

Further information, including ticketing details, will be provided in due course.

[Slick]

Glasgow Warriors A will play host to Georgian outfit Black Lion next month, after it was confirmed that the EPCR Challenge Cup side would visit Scotstoun for the first time in the squad’s history.

The match will take place at Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday 22 May, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.

Led by former Edinburgh Head Coach, Richard Cockerill, the Lion will take on a side comprised of a host of young and upcoming stars, including some of the Glasgow Warriors academy’s top prospects.

The Georgian squad – which boasts some of the Georgian national team’s leading talents – claimed one win from their four EPCR Challenge Cup matches this season, earning a 22-19 win over French side Vannes.

Further information, including ticketing details, will be provided in due course.

If I was a young buck in the pack I might be tweaking a hamstring a few days before this

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)
14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)
10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)
14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)
10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut

That must be one of the most mature packs we've put out in recent times? Richie the youngest there at 28, only him and Magnus this side of 30.

[Yr Alban]

Glasgow Warriors A will play host to Georgian outfit Black Lion next month, after it was confirmed that the EPCR Challenge Cup side would visit Scotstoun for the first time in the squad’s history.

The match will take place at Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday 22 May, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.

Led by former Edinburgh Head Coach, Richard Cockerill, the Lion will take on a side comprised of a host of young and upcoming stars, including some of the Glasgow Warriors academy’s top prospects.

The Georgian squad – which boasts some of the Georgian national team’s leading talents – claimed one win from their four EPCR Challenge Cup matches this season, earning a 22-19 win over French side Vannes.

Further information, including ticketing details, will be provided in due course.

If I was a young buck in the pack I might be tweaking a hamstring a few days before this

Do you think? I’d reckon the opposite - they’d be desperate to have a crack at them?

[Big D]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)
14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)
10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut

That must be one of the most mature packs we've put out in recent times? Richie the youngest there at 28, only him and Magnus this side of 30.

I know 30 still isn't that old but it's disappointing Skinner never improved on what he was at Exeter when he was starting big games on merit.

[Slick]

Glasgow Warriors A will play host to Georgian outfit Black Lion next month, after it was confirmed that the EPCR Challenge Cup side would visit Scotstoun for the first time in the squad’s history.

The match will take place at Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday 22 May, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.

Led by former Edinburgh Head Coach, Richard Cockerill, the Lion will take on a side comprised of a host of young and upcoming stars, including some of the Glasgow Warriors academy’s top prospects.

The Georgian squad – which boasts some of the Georgian national team’s leading talents – claimed one win from their four EPCR Challenge Cup matches this season, earning a 22-19 win over French side Vannes.

Further information, including ticketing details, will be provided in due course.

If I was a young buck in the pack I might be tweaking a hamstring a few days before this

Do you think? I’d reckon the opposite - they’d be desperate to have a crack at them?

Obviously wasn't being entirely serious. But there are going to be some big, hard, angry buggers arriving.

[Yr Alban]

If I was a young buck in the pack I might be tweaking a hamstring a few days before this

Do you think? I’d reckon the opposite - they’d be desperate to have a crack at them?

Obviously wasn't being entirely serious. But there are going to be some big, hard, angry buggers arriving.

Definitely

[Yr Alban]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)
14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)
10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut

That must be one of the most mature packs we've put out in recent times? Richie the youngest there at 28, only him and Magnus this side of 30.

I know 30 still isn't that old but it's disappointing Skinner never improved on what he was at Exeter when he was starting big games on merit.

‘Never delivered on his early promise’ is pretty much an epitaph for all Scotland qualified locks right now. It’s frustrating that the supply of good locks dried up as soon as we started to get good backs.

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium
Friday 4 March, kick-off 8pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (49)
14. Darcy Graham (76)
13. Matt Currie (56)
12. James Lang (68)
11. Ross McCann (10)
10. Ross Thompson (18)
9. Ben Vellacott (CC) (73)

1. Pierre Schoeman (127)
2. Dave Cherry (102)
3. Paul Hill (14)
4. Sam Skinner (36)
5. Grant Gilchrist (CC) (215)
6. Jamie Ritchie (125)
7. Hamish Watson (172)
8. Magnus Bradbury (126)

Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (31)
17. Boan Venter (84)
18. Javan Sebastian (24)
19. Glen Young (45)
20. Freddy Douglas (4)
21. Ali Price (33)
22. Cammy Scott (15)
23. Jack Brown*

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (hip), Ben Muncaster (concussion), D’arcy Rae (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Mosese Tuipulotu (suspended), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Lewis Wells (ankle).
*Edinburgh Rugby debut

That must be one of the most mature packs we've put out in recent times? Richie the youngest there at 28, only him and Magnus this side of 30.

I know 30 still isn't that old but it's disappointing Skinner never improved on what he was at Exeter when he was starting big games on merit.

He was 27 when he left Exeter so close to his ceiling and coming into a poorly coached team so it was never likely.

Good player for Scotland, injuries are his limiting factor not ability.

[robmatic]

That must be one of the most mature packs we've put out in recent times? Richie the youngest there at 28, only him and Magnus this side of 30.

I know 30 still isn't that old but it's disappointing Skinner never improved on what he was at Exeter when he was starting big games on merit.

He was 27 when he left Exeter so close to his ceiling and coming into a poorly coached team so it was never likely.

Good player for Scotland, injuries are his limiting factor not ability.

He's only started 32 games for Edinburgh in 3 seasons, and a chunk of those starts have been in the Challenge Cup, which is a second-rate competition. It's no wonder he hasn't really kicked on.

[Slick]

I know 30 still isn't that old but it's disappointing Skinner never improved on what he was at Exeter when he was starting big games on merit.

He was 27 when he left Exeter so close to his ceiling and coming into a poorly coached team so it was never likely.

Good player for Scotland, injuries are his limiting factor not ability.

He's only started 32 games for Edinburgh in 3 seasons, and a chunk of those starts have been in the Challenge Cup, which is a second-rate competition. It's no wonder he hasn't really kicked on.

If fit I’d have had him starting before J Gray in this years 6N

[GrahamWa]

He was 27 when he left Exeter so close to his ceiling and coming into a poorly coached team so it was never likely.

Good player for Scotland, injuries are his limiting factor not ability.

He's only started 32 games for Edinburgh in 3 seasons, and a chunk of those starts have been in the Challenge Cup, which is a second-rate competition. It's no wonder he hasn't really kicked on.

If fit I’d have had him starting before J Gray in this years 6N

If fit I'd have Rob Harley before J Gray in this years 6N Gray must have been nursing a knock, his performance IMO was well below par.