Centre duo to start for Edinburgh against the Bulls

Centres Mark Bennett and Matt Scott move into the starting line-up to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday (28 September, 3pm local, 2pm UK time) to rekindle their long-standing partnership in the capital midfield.

Scott – who made a try scoring return last weekend against Leinster – partners club centurion Bennett for the first time since facing Connacht together in 2020.

The duo are two of three changes from last week’s starting lineup, with Magnus Bradbury also making his first start since returning to the club.

On the selection, Head Coach Sean Everitt added: “We’ve been able to have a consistent line-up after the first game. There are a couple of small injuries, however the players in the side deserve their shots, with Magnus and Matt both putting in good displays last week.

“We know the challenge that awaits us at Loftus. It will be a tough match but we’ve had a good week and are ready for the fight.”

Everitt names an unchanged back-three, with Duhan van der Merwe starting against his former club, alongside Scotland teammate Darcy Graham, with Wes Goosen at full-back.

Scott and Bennett start in the midfield together, with last week’s combination of Matt Currie and Mosese Tuipulotu missing out through injury (both hamstring).

The half-back pairing remains the same, with Ali Price starting at scrum-half alongside Ross Thompson at stand-off.

Pierre Schoeman returns to Pretoria to face his boyhood club, starting at loosehead prop in an unchanged front-row with Paul Hill (tighthead) and Dave Cherry (hooker).

The consistency in the pack continues in the second-row, where double centurion Grant Gilchrist and Marshall Sykes start together once more.

Bradbury – the only change in the pack – is joined by fellow Scotland caps Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson in the loose forwards.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the United Rugby Championship
(Saturday 28 September, kick off 3pm local, 2pm UK time) – live on PremierSports

15. Wes Goosen (32)

14. Darcy Graham (65)
13. Mark Bennett (108)
12. Matt Scott (95)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (93)

10. Ross Thompson (1)
9. Ali Price (18)

1. Pierre Schoeman (116)
2. Dave Cherry (94)
3. Paul Hill (1)
4. Marshall Sykes (63)
5. Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (206)
6. Jamie Ritchie (115)
7. Hamish Watson (160)
8. Magnus Bradbury (114)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (21)
17. Boan Venter (67)
18. D’arcy Rae (6)
19. Jamie Hodgson (62)
20. Tom Dodd (9)
21. Ben Vellacott (62)
22. Ben Healy (24)
23. Ross McCann (2)

Unavailable: Mosese Tuipulotu (hamstring), Matt Currie (hamstring), Ben Muncaster (hip), Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)