Edinburgh Rugby give debut to son of Scotland international

The capital side are out of contention in the United Rugby Championship and will use their remaining four games as opportunities to integrate some fresh blood.

Patterson, 21, comes from good stock: his father, Derrick Patterson, was capped twice by Scotland in the 1990s and played at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Hector, a former Scotland Under-20 international, has had to overcome some injury issues, including a broken wrist, but is now set for his professional 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,” said 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 dangerous nine who links well

Patterson who, like his father, came through the ranks at Hawick, has been working with the club’s skills coach Bob Chrystie and former Edinburgh scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and Everitt has been impressed with his development. He was part of the Scotland U20 squad which won the World Rugby U20 Trophy two years ago but has since found his progress hindered by injuries.

Everitt likes what he has seen of the young nine and has memories 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 difficult opponents for Edinburgh

Patterson, who hails from Denholm, is one of 12 current Edinburgh academy players or academy graduates in the matchday 23 and there are also notable inclusions for Findlay Thomson, 21, at inside centre, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 20, at tighthead prop and Freddy Douglas, 20, and Liam McConnell, 21, in the back row. The latter pair are joined by Connor Boyle, who has been selected at No 8 and makes only his second start after a long injury absence.

Two more youngsters, Tom Currie and Jack Brown, are on the bench.

Injuries have forced Everitt’s hand to a certain extent but Edinburgh’s poor form in the URC also suggests the young players deserve a shot.

Zebre have proved troublesome opponents for Everitt. They beat Edinburgh at Hive Stadium last season and also won in Parma in the opening game of this campaign. In fact, you have to go back to May 10, 2024 for Edinburgh’s last victory over the Italian side.

How Edinburgh will line up against Zebre

Edinburgh Rugby team (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.