Edinburgh’s young squad outplayed the Stormers, clinching a 17‑13 win at Hive Stadium.
On Friday, 2 October 2026Edinburgh Rugby hosted the DHL Stormers at Hive Stadium in a United Rugby Championship fixture that would become a showcase for the club’s emerging talent. Deprived of twelve senior Scotland internationals, the home side leaned heavily on academy products and recent graduates.
Despite the weather-slick conditions and the presence of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in the visitors’ back row, Edinburgh secured a 17-13 victory, marking their second straight win and the strongest opening to a season in three years.
Game flow and decisive moments
The match opened with a disciplined defensive pattern from both camps. At the 59-minute mark, hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty broke the deadlock, sprinting forward and setting up a try for fellow substitute Paul Hill who touched down amidst a roar from the home crowd.
A conversion by Jimmy Grayson nudged the lead to 7-3. The Stormers responded at 65 minutes with a powerful try, but Edinburgh’s defense held firm, limiting the conversion to a single point and keeping the score at 10-13. Late drama unfolded when, at 71 minutes, a well-executed move across the short side saw Rory McHaffie evade his marker and score in the corner; Grayson’s kick restored the lead to 17-13, a margin that endured until the final whistle.
Academy graduates step into the spotlight
Ten of the 23 men named for the match were aged 22 or younger, a statistic highlighted by Jerry Blyth-Lafferty after the final whistle. The 22-year-old, who signed his first professional contract in April after progressing through Boroughmuir RFC and Edinburgh’s academy, entered the game around the 50-minute mark. He later reflected, “That was really good fun” noting the satisfaction of helping create the opening try despite the pressure of replacing seasoned internationals.
Jerry’s younger brother, 20-year-old tight-head prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty earned a start against the Stormers, sharing the front row with his sibling for the first time. Both brothers expressed a shared ambition: “We’ve been on the pitch together a few times, but never started together – that’s definitely a goal of ours.” Their simultaneous presence underscored the club’s commitment to integrating home-grown talent into the senior squad.
Versatility and ambition from the back row
Although primarily a front-rower, Jerry confessed to enjoying moments in the backline, recalling his youth as a centre: “I’m not the biggest guy in the world, certainly not for a front-rower, but I love getting the ball in my hands and trying passes that might annoy some tens.” This willingness to stretch his skill set contributed to Edinburgh’s fluid attacking tempo, a factor coach Paul Hill praised in post-match interviews.
Looking ahead: confidence for the Italian test
Buoyed by a flawless home performance, Edinburgh now turns its attention to an upcoming away fixture against Zebre in Italy. Blyth-Lafferty summed up the squad’s mindset: “We were in a tough spot last year; now it feels like a fresh start. We’re a close-knit group, enjoying our rugby, and the performances will follow.” The triumph over a side featuring a world-cup-winning captain signals that the club’s youthful core is ready to compete at the highest level, even without the veteran internationals.
