URC quarter-final: Six Edinburgh players the Bulls should watch out for
Several players will stand out as Edinburgh unleash their full strength chasing a maiden win at Loftus.
Edinburgh's Darcy Graham scored three tries against Ulster in their last game, on 16 May. Picture: Calum Chittleburgh/SNS Group via Getty Images
The Bulls have set up another exciting quarter-final against Edinburgh after going down against them in the Challenge Cup last month.
The teams clash at Loftus this time, and in the United Rugby Championship, after they finished second and seventh on the table, respectively.
Historically, the Bulls have won both of their home games against the Scottish side, while Edinburgh have won all three of theirs. But anything can happen in a knockout.
Here are six of the biggest individual threats the Bulls will face in their game against Edinburgh on Saturday, at 1.30pm.
Darcy Graham
The nimble-footed winger has dazzled on the pitch this season. He has 21 clean breaks to his name, just two behind the leader, despite missing six games in the tournament.
The Scottish international also has six tries to his name, the joint-best in the team, and has beaten the fourth-most defenders in the tournament (55).
The flyer has gained a whopping 698 metres in the tournament, highlighting him as one of the biggest threats at Loftus.
Duhan van der Merwe
Another star Scottish international winger, Van der Merwe has missed half of Edinburgh's season due to injury.
His form before the ankle injury in March saw him score four tries and beat 31 defenders in nine matches, also making the third-most metres for the side.
He's tipped to be available soon and will want to build on that record, especially in a bid to justify his British & Irish Lions selection.
Edinburgh's Duhan van der Merwe was tipped to return from injury, possibly by the end of the month. Picture: Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images
Ross Thompson
The team's leading points scorer with 110 points to his name (fourth in the tournament). The 26-year-old flyhalf has played all 18 URC games for Edinburgh, starting in all but two.
His kicking success rate is a decent 74% as he shares goal-kicking duties with Ben Healy (35 points at 78%). But Thompson will want to improve on that as he duplicates what made him a success for Glasgow and Scotland before this season.
Edinburgh's Ross Thompson kicks the ball during their URC match against the Sharks. Picture: Calum Chittleburgh/SNS Group via Getty Images
Pierre Schoeman
The former Bulls man has had a good season at Edinburgh, driving the scrum at loosehead prop and securing six tries in the URC.
He's a go-to man in the team with 124 carries and will be tipped to lead in the set-piece and attack. He will want to show why he was picked to tour with the British and Irish Lions to Australia.
Hamish Watson
The English-born Scottish international has been formidable in both attack and defence at openside flanker for Edinburgh.
The veteran leads the team's tackles with 177 and has made 106 carries despite missing four games. He's experienced and dependable and will be keeping things together for the Scottish side.
Edinburgh's Hamish Watson will bring his experience to bear in attack and defence. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images
Ben Muncaster
The young, upcoming Scottish back-row player has also been good on both sides of the ball.
He's earned six tries while making 161 tackles and will be a handful in attack and defence again. Will come up against a powerful Bulls loose trio and will be out to show what he's made of against a few Springbok players.
Special mentions must go to South African-born Wes Goosen who hasn't scored any tries in the URC yet but gained 767 metres and beaten 39 defenders, and Matt Currie, who scored five tries and completed 11 offloads. They are threatening players who are not in quite as good form as their counterparts in the same positions, who have been mentioned.
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