Emiliano Boffelli returns as Edinburgh make eight changes for Zebre clash
02/13/2025 07:00 AM
EMILIANO BOFFELLI makes his long-awaited comeback from injury tomorrow night (Friday) when Edinburgh take on Zebre at Hive Stadium.
The Argentinian back-three international has not played since last April due to a troublesome back injury that has required surgery.
And head coach Sean Everitt admits it's a relief to have the former Pumas international ace on the field after so long.
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He said: "We're delighted to welcome Emiliano back to the team. He has worked incredibly had to return to full fitness and I know proud he is to be pulling on the Edinburgh jersey once again."
Boffelli returns on the wing as one of eight changes from the side that played Scarlets last month.
Patrick Harrison, D'Arcy Rae, Marshall Sykes and Luke Crosbie have all been released from Scotland camp to start, while Sam Skinner makes the bench after featuring against Ireland last weekend.
Ross McCann, Moses Tuipulotu and Ross Thompson all join the backline, while there's a first professional start for Tom Currie at No. 8.
But there's another setback for Ben Muncaster who sits this one out with concussion.
Everitt added: "It's great to be back at Hive Stadium, playing under the Friday night lights. Zebre Parma are a team we have a huge amount of respect for and we know they'll be travelling with confidence after winning in Belfast last time out.
"However we're really excited about the team we've got out tomorrow night and we'll be going hell for leather to get a win for our home support."
This fixture is part of the URC's "Origin Round" with the players wearing the socks of their boyhood teams to celebrate grassroots rugby (teams listed in brackets below)
Edinburgh team to face Zebre at Hive Stadium, Friday 14 February (kick-off 7.35pm)
W Goosen (Old Boys University), E Boffelli (Duendes), M Currie (Dumfries Saints/ Merchiston Castle School), M Tuipulotu (Greenock Wanderers RFC/South District Pirates), R McCann (Melrose/ GB 7s), R Thompson (Stewart's Melville College), A Price (West Norfolk RFC/ Wisbech Grammar); B Venter (High School de Aar), P Harrison (Peebles RFC), D Rae (Marr RFC), M Sykes (Ayr RFC/ Woodbridge), G Young (Jed-Forest RFC ), L Crosbie (Currie Chieftains, CAPTAIN), H Watson (Edinburgh Accies), T Currie (Dumfries Saints/ Merchiston Castle School)
Replacements: H Morris (Melrose RFC), R Hislop (Langholm RFC), P Hill (Doncaster Knights), S Skinner (Topsham RFC), L McConnell (Boroughmuir RFC), B Vellacott (Barnstaple RFC), B Healy (Nenagh Ormond RFC), J Lang (RGC/ London Irish Amateur)
Unavailable: Connor Boyle (knee), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Ben Muncaster (concussion), Harry Paterson (concussion), Lewis Wells (ankle).
International duty: Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe.
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