Edinburgh starts URC season with four debuts against Ulster in Belfast

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 1:43 PM

Last updated Sep 24, 2026

Edinburgh starts URC season with four debuts against Ulster in Belfast

Summary

Edinburgh Rugby opens its URC season away to Ulster on September 24 with four players making their debuts. Alec Hepburn, James Grayson, Kienan Higgins, and Geordie Gwynn are set to start, while Rory McHaffie may come off the bench. Co-captains Magnus Bradbury and Matt Currie will lead the team, which is dealing with the absence of 16 injured players, including Darcy Graham. Head coach Sean Everitt acknowledged the injury challenges but sees it as an opportunity for younger players to gain experience. Last season, Edinburgh failed to reach the top eight, and Everitt expressed a desire to be competitive for a playoff spot this year.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Edinburgh plays Ulster in their URC season opener.
•Four new players debut: Hepburn, Grayson, Higgins, Gwynn.
•Rory McHaffie may appear as a substitute.
•Team is missing 16 players due to injuries.
•Head coach Sean Everitt aims for playoffs this season.

Latest Updates

1:43 PMYahoo Sports — Four debuts in injury-hit Edinburgh's season opener

What they're saying

"
Four new arrivals make their Edinburgh debut in the club's URC season opener away to Ulster on Friday night. Loosehead prop Alec Hepburn, stand-off James Grayson, centre Kienan Higgins and winger Geordie Gwynn all start, while 19-year-old academy full-back Rory McHaffie could make his debut from the bench. New co-captains Magnus Bradbury and Matt Currie lead the side in Belfast, with Darcy Graham - who will miss Scotland's autumn Tests - Harry Paterson, Mosese Tuipulotu and Ben Muncaster among 16 players missing through injury.
— Yahoo Sports

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