'Staying at Edinburgh' - new deal for British & Irish Lion but bad news on Dave Cherry

Hamish Watson goes incognito during an Edinburgh Rugby training session at Hive Stadium. | SNS Group

Sean Everitt has delivered a timely boost for Edinburgh ahead of Friday’s must-win game against Zebre in Italy by announcing that Hamish Watson is to remain with the club next season.

The experienced flanker was used sparingly in the first half of this campaign but has been a key performer in recent weeks as the club sealed a place in the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup and continue to chase a play-off spot in the United Rugby Championship.

Watson, 34, returns to the team for the URC match in Parma for what will be his 175th appearance in Edinburgh colours, with plenty more to come according to Everitt.

Hamish Watson goes incognito during an Edinburgh Rugby training session at Hive Stadium. | SNS Group

“Hamish is staying at Edinburgh,” confirmed the head coach who enthused about his strength in depth in the back row.

“We're actually blessed for talent in that position at the moment – the loose forward position – but, yes, Hamish has performed well. He's had a lot of breaks during the Six Nations, and then he came back and he played his four games in a row, and it just shows that we are looking after the wellbeing of the player.

“He's had a week off, and he's going to bounce back this weekend in the starting jersey. So, it's great, first of all, that he's getting form at the right time and that we do have his experience to lean on.”

Watson signed a new contract this time last year “for at least a further year” and this latest extension will take the British & Irish Lion into his 15th season in the Scottish capital.

His experience will be key against Zebre, with Everitt opting to rest Jamie Ritchie and Pierre Schoeman. In addition, one co-captain, Grant Gilchrist, is on the bench while another, Ben Vellacott, is out with a foot injury. Magnus Bradbury will skipper the team as Edinburgh bid to return to the top eight after last week’s agonising home defeat the Sharks saw them slip to 11th.

“Maggie [Bradbury] has stood up as part of our leadership group this year, and he's been very influential in the turnaround of the team's performances with his good leadership and the experience that he's gained at Bristol,” said Everitt.

Dave Cherry has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury. | SNS Group

The coach also revealed that he expects Dave Cherry to be out for six weeks with a knee injury and the Scotland hooker could now have played his last game for the club. Cherry is joining French club Vannes in the summer and any further appearances for Edinburgh will depend on his recovery from the posterior cruciate ligament issue and his club’s progress in the URC and Challenge Cup.

“We don't want to call that now, but if it works out like that, it will be a pity because every player needs to have a farewell game,” said Everitt. “Sport can be cruel, but let's be optimistic about it. Hopefully that type of injury that he has, the players are able to play with it. So I'm holding firm that he will be available at the end.”

Edinburgh are seeking revenge over Zebre who beat them at the Hive in February. There is a first pro start for teenage winger Jack Brown who impressed from the bench against the Sharks. Darcy Graham returns on the other wing.

Zebre Parma v Edinburgh Rugby (URC, Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma, 7.35pm BST)

Zebre: Jacopo Trulla; Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi; Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti (capt), Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Muhamed Hasa, Matteo Canali, Leonard Krumov, Giacomo Ferrari, Bautista Stavile, Giovanni Licata. Replacements: Luca Bigi, Paolo Buonfiglio, Juan Pitinari, Andrea Zambonin, Rusiate Nasove, Gonzalo Garcia, Giovanni Montemauri, Luca Morisi.

Edinburgh: Harry Paterson; Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, James Lang, Jack Brown; Ross Thompson, Ali Price; Boan Venter, Paddy Harrison, D’arcy Rae, Glen Young, Sam Skinner, Ben Muncaster, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury (capt). Replacements: Harri Morris, Robin Hislop, Angus Williams, Grant Gilchrist, Freddy Douglas, Charlie Shiel, Cammy Scott, Mosese Tuipulotu.

Referee: Ben Connor (WRU).