Edinburgh Season on Line Against Ulster – Everitt…
*EDINBURGH – May 18, 2025:* Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt has labeled Saturday’s crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster as a “make-or-break” fixture, insisting that his side’s entire season hinges on the outcome at the Kingspan Stadium.
With just one round remaining before the play-offs, Edinburgh sit precariously in eighth place – the final qualifying spot – while Ulster, revitalized under interim management, are breathing down their necks in ninth. A loss in Belfast could spell disaster for the Scottish club, potentially ending their hopes of a post-season run.
“This is the defining moment for us,” Everitt said during Friday’s press briefing. “There’s no sugar-coating it – our season is on the line. If we want to be in the play-offs, we have to beat Ulster, plain and simple.”
Edinburgh’s form has wavered in recent weeks, with just two wins in their last five games. However, they are buoyed by the return of several key players, including Scotland internationals Darcy Graham and Jamie Ritchie, who have both recovered from injury layoffs.
“Having guys like Darcy and Jamie back is a massive boost,” Everitt acknowledged. “Their leadership, their experience – that’s what you need in big games like this. Ulster are a quality side and they’ll have their home crowd behind them, but we’ve prepared well.”
Ulster, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum after impressive wins over Cardiff and Scarlets, closing the gap on Edinburgh to just a single point. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the Northern Irish outfit will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and leapfrog their rivals into the top eight.
“We’re treating this as a knockout game,” Everitt said. “The reality is, the loser could be out. So the pressure’s on both teams.”
Despite the high stakes, Everitt urged his players to embrace the challenge and remain composed.
“It’s about staying calm and executing the basics,” he explained. “In these moments, the team that sticks to its structure and wins the small battles tends to come out on top. We’ve talked about that all week – trust in our systems and each other.”
The last time the two sides met, Edinburgh edged Ulster 27-24 in a nail-biting contest at the Hive Stadium. Saturday’s rematch promises to be just as tense, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for survival in one of the most competitive URC seasons to date.
Everitt concluded with a message to the fans: “We know what this means to our supporters. We’ve got one more hurdle to clear and we’re giving it everything. This is what rugby’s all about – high stakes, passion, and pride. We’re ready.”
Kick-off at Kingspan Stadium is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. BST.
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