The Hive Stadium is set to come alive this Friday night as Edinburgh Rugby hosts the Scarlets in a crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) showdown. With both teams having endured challenging seasons so far, the stakes are sky-high as they each look to ignite a late push for the coveted top eight. Fans are in for more than just rugby, with a packed schedule of festivities and community celebrations turning the evening into a true spectacle under the Edinburgh lights.
Gates open at 6pm, and from the moment supporters step inside Hive Stadium, the atmosphere promises to be electric. The fan zone will be buzzing with sponsor activations, including the ever-popular Dropkick Murphy’s Trailor Swift Karaoke Truck and Tennent’s rugby activation. There’s no shortage of food, drinks, and fun zone games, making it a family-friendly event that caters to die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
Music lovers are in for a treat as Mar Charav takes to the unsigned stage in the fan zone from 6:30pm to 7:15pm, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. Meanwhile, The Public Bar in The Thistle Suite opens its doors from 6:15pm to 7:30pm, offering supporters a chance to catch up with friends, watch live rugby on big screens, and even snap photos with the recently won Calcutta and Doddie Weir Cups.
Tradition and pageantry will be on full display as the Penicuik and District Pipe Band returns to Hive Stadium for a rousing pre-match performance at 7:05pm. And just before kickoff, fans can join in a pre-match mobile phone music and light show, creating a dazzling display of unity and excitement. By scanning in-stadium QR codes or following instructions on social media, everyone can be a part of this unique experience.
But this night isn’t just about the professional game. Edinburgh Rugby is putting community at the heart of the event, marking Heart Health Month in partnership with British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland. The match ball delivery will be a poignant moment, featuring Brodie Hatfield and his father Rob, whose life was saved thanks to Brodie’s quick-thinking CPR, as well as Dillon Naismith and his coach Robert Donald, who together survived and overcame a cardiac arrest on the rugby field. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the impact rugby can have far beyond the pitch.
Grassroots rugby will be celebrated in record-breaking fashion, with over 50 clubs and more than 100 representatives from Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and the Borders forming the ‘Greatest Grassroots Guard of Honour’ during the BKT United Rugby Championship Origin Round. The spectacle will see these local heroes lining both the Main Stand and Lothian Stand, welcoming the teams onto the field and reminding everyone that the heartbeat of the sport lies in its community roots.
Fans are encouraged to wear their club colours for a chance to see themselves on the big screens at halftime. By scanning a QR code or following a special link shared during the match, supporters can beam their images directly onto the stadium screens. One lucky fan will win two tickets to next month’s URC clash against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, adding even more excitement to the evening.
Kinross RFC’s minis will also be in the spotlight, forming the pre-match guard of honour and taking part in the Scottish Building Society half-time games. It’s a proud moment for the club and a testament to the importance of nurturing young talent within the game.
Of course, all eyes will eventually turn to the main event on the pitch. Edinburgh and Scarlets both find themselves in need of a turnaround. Each side has managed just three wins this season, but Edinburgh sits three points ahead of their Welsh rivals in the standings. Both teams have experienced tough runs, with Edinburgh’s recent form reading L-L-L-W-W and Scarlets registering D-W-L-L-L. For Edinburgh, their last home game ended in heartbreak—a narrow defeat to the Bulls after leading 17-5 at halftime. Yet, their Champions Cup campaign has been a bright spot, with impressive home wins over Toulon and Gloucester securing a playoff berth.
The Scarlets, on the other hand, have struggled in the Champions Cup, losing all four games, but have shown resilience with a recent win over Ulster and a hard-fought draw against Benetton. The head-to-head record between these sides is tight: in the last five meetings, the home team has triumphed in four, with Scarlets’ 30-24 win in January 2025 the most recent result. Between 2018 and 2020, Edinburgh enjoyed a dominant spell, winning six straight encounters.
Confirmed lineups add to the intrigue. Edinburgh’s starting XV features Venter, Morris, Rae, Sykes, Young, Muncaster, Richardson, Bradbury, Vellacott, Thompson, Goosen, Tuipulotu, Lang, Satala-Navilou, and Paterson. The bench includes J. Blyth-Lafferty, Whitcombe, O. Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Boyle, Shiel, Scott, and O’Conor. For Scarlets, Mathias, van der Merwe, Thomas, Louis, Ball, Douglas, MacLeod, Anderson, Hughes, Leggatt-Jones, Lewis, Page, Roberts, Rogers, and Davies start, with replacements Thomas, Hepburn, O’Connor, Price, Taylor, Blacker, Jones, and McDonald ready to make an impact.
There’s added context from the international scene. Edinburgh’s players were notably absent from Scotland’s starting XV against England during the Six Nations, while Wales—home to many Scarlets stars—have lost all their matches in 2026 but showed signs of improvement against Scotland. The result of this URC clash could provide a much-needed morale boost and momentum for either side as the playoff race heats up.
“Edinburgh don’t provide that many players to the Scotland national team anymore and those who were internationals before but aren’t now will feel they have something to prove against a Scarlets team that has been unpredictable this season,” noted a recent preview, adding further fuel to the competitive fire.
Kickoff is set for 7:45pm, with coverage on Premier Sports 2 beginning at 7:15pm. Predictions from pundits suggest Edinburgh could edge it by 10 points, but with both teams desperate for a win, nothing is certain until the final whistle blows. The home crowd could be a decisive factor, especially given the recent trend of home victories in this matchup.
With a vibrant fan experience, moving community tributes, and a pivotal rugby contest on the line, Hive Stadium is the only place to be this Friday night. Whether you’re there for the rugby, the music, the grassroots celebration, or simply for a night out with friends and family, this is a match that promises drama, passion, and a few surprises along the way.
As the teams prepare to run out amid a sea of club colours and the cheers of supporters, the URC’s Origin Round at Hive Stadium stands as a celebration of rugby’s enduring spirit—on the field, in the stands, and across every grassroots club that keeps the game’s heart beating strong.