Patterson scores twice as Edinburgh secure URC bonus-point win over Lions

Scrum-half Hector Patterson scored two tries and provided two assists as Edinburgh beat Lions to claim a bonus-point victory in the United Rugby Championship in the Scottish capital on 23 October 2026.

Two days after signing an improved contract at the club, the 21-year-old continued his strong start to the season as Edinburgh made it four league wins from four. The match was played in wet and windy conditions in the Scottish capital, and Edinburgh edged a tight first half thanks to Matt Currie's try after a neat combination with Patterson down the left flank.

Edinburgh's line-out was totally dominant. Lock Glen Young and flanker Liam McConnell were particularly impressive. However, the hosts' forwards were outshone by their effervescent nine.

Mosese Tuipulotu — having been denied a similar score minutes earlier — powered over for Edinburgh's second try on 47 minutes after gathering a Patterson offload. Provider turned scorer soon after as Patterson raced under the posts following a slick backs move.

Batho Hlekani crossed for Lions' only try after a spell of pressure on the Edinburgh line, but Lions were unable to build on that score. Patterson's second try was described as a superb piece of opportunism, taking a quick tap-and-go penalty and pinning his ears back to score in the corner with no-one in red able to get near him.

In the closing stages, winger Geordie Gwynn went over in the corner to add further gloss to the scoreline. The only negative for Edinburgh was a curtailed return for star winger Duhan van der Merwe, who was forced off less than 20 minutes into his first start after injury. Sean Everitt's team stay top of the URC table on 19 points, while Lions have won two of their four league matches.

Tries: M. Currie, M. Tuipulotu, He. Patterson 2, Gwynn; Cons: Grayson 2, Scott; Tries: Hlekani; Cons: Smith; Pens: Smith. Edinburgh: O'Conor, Gwynn, M. Currie, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Grayson, He. Patterson; Schoeman, Ashman, Blyth-Lafferty, Young, Gilchrist, McConnell, T. Currie, Bradbury. Replacements: Morris, Stewart, Hill, Sykes, Dodd, McAlpine, Scott, Ha. Paterson. Lions: Q. Horn, Mpeku, Van Wyk, Mills, Cronje, Smith, Steyn; Venter, Brandon, Van Vuuren, Oosthuizen, Delport, Notshe, Hlekani, F. Horn. Replacements: Botha, Kotze, Schoeman, Sjoblom, Mahashe, Cilliers, Kriel, Chamberlain.