Sports

Graham & Ashman return as Edinburgh host Toulon

December 5, 2025

Story byAndrew Petrie - BBC Sport ScotlandFri, December 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM UTC·3 min readSometimes, a cup game can offer the perfect tonic to league duties. A pleasant distraction from every day life, a momentum-builder that can kick-start a season. It's hard to see that being the case for Edinburgh. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile they secured a narrow win over the Ospreys last weekend, they now welcome French giants Toulon to the Hive before a trip across the Channel to face Castres. Two sterner fixtures you could not wish for ahead of the 1872 Cup double-header, and Edinburgh's credentials are already being sternly examined following a less-than-promising start to the league. Young gunners offer small green shootsSean Everett's side made hard work of defeating an Ospreys side that was seriously depleted. The capital side offered younger players the chance for a hit out. New Scotland cap Harri Morris made a first start at hooker, but he makes way for Ewan Ashman this time. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLiam McConnell continues at blindside and fellow 21-year-old Fin Thomson starts just his third pro game at centre after his player-of-the-match display last weekend. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, gets his first start at tighthead prop having debuted from the bench against Ospreys. Darcy Graham is back on the right wing, with eight changes overall. Dylan Richardson and club captain Magnus Bradbury return to the back-row, with Harry Paterson getting a first start of the season at full-back. Scotland stars must turn upIt's been a tricky season so far for Everett.

Graham & Ashman return as Edinburgh host Toulon

Credit: Yahoo

Key Highlights

His side have lost three games - two by a one-point margin - including a damaging loss away to regular URC bottom-dwellers Zebre. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAn optimist would look at those results and say, well they've only lost by a combined total of five point, that's three losing bonus points they've picked up. But instead there is a fanbase quickly losing patience with the head coach, now in his third season, with those defeats playing into the narrative that this team are soft. It is a squad littered with talent and, like many Edinburgh coaches before him, Everett is not getting the best out of them. In no player is that more apparent than Duhan van der Merwe.
Scotland's record try-scorer had a stinker against the Ospreys and looks no closer to the player who left England's defence in tatters back in February 2024. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat was the apex of his international career, which is now under threat after five years as a Scotland regular. He lost his place in the starting XV this autumn with Kyle Steyn preferred for the losses to New Zealand and Argentina.
Van der Merwe came off the bench in the latter, as Scotland collapsed from 21-0 up to 24-33 down. His form at Edinburgh has been much-maligned, in stark contrast to the magic he has so often produced for Gregor Townsend.
Now, he is struggling on two fronts. But this is a big game, the first in a series of four.
These are the games that Van der Merwe has typically shown up in.

Sports

Sources

Graham & Ashman return as Edinburgh host Toulon

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Graham & Ashman return as Edinburgh host Toulon

Key Highlights

Sources

Related Stories

NBA legend blasts Hawks over Trae Young trade, labels them a 'mid' franchise

Mavericks' Cooper Flagg reveals his feelings on the dunk contest

Is A Steelers Upset Brewing Based On Recent NFL Playoff Trends?