Chris Paterson
Former Scotland international on Premier Sports

Good attack again from Edinburgh but you get the feeling they're going to have to add to their seven-point lead with the pressure and territory that they've got.

Some really nice rugby from Edinburgh before Ben Vellacott squeezes a kick through. Stravino Jacobs did his best to keep it in, but his toes were on the line when he touched the ball.

Just as well, because his pass back in field was intercepted!

There is no other angle, and the TMO cannot give the referee any evidence that Ben Vellacott touched the ball down on the line.

It looks very close, and the home crowd aren't happy. Vellacott looks particularly surprised.

Edinburgh are knocking on the door after some heavy carries from Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury.

The ball comes loose and Ben Vellacott reaches for the line, bouncing up to celebrate!

However, the referee isn't sure he's seen it. It's going to the TMO.

Well, we go all the way back to that tackle on James Lang.

After Burger made the tackle, which was a good one by the way, he then slapped the ball forward as Lang tried to pop to a teammate.

Eagle-eyed officiating and the Bulls are down to 14 men.

Matt Currie flies through another gap and almost releases James Lang, but his centre partner is caught on the 22m.

Bulls turn it over and Sergeal Petersen hacks it down the pitch, chasing the ball. This is chaos and Edinburgh are scrambling... but there's a knock on.

Harold Vorster runs into Ross Thompson, and the fly-half keeps him up. Solid defence from the Edinburgh man, and the referee calls maul nice and early.

Penalty to Edinburgh! It's all going the way of the hosts early on.

Early drama at the Hive!

Darcy Graham pokes a brilliant kick through and Stravino Jacobs has to field a few inches from touch. He tries to clear, but his kick is charged down by Ross Thompson.

The Bulls dot it down behind their own line, but that's a nervy start.

Pierre Brousset is the man in the middle, and he peeps his whistle to get us under way.

Edinburgh in bright orange, the Blues in... well, blue.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at Hive Stadium

A glorious sunny day in the capital and the punters are soaking it up and keeping themselves well hydrated in Murrayfield's outdoor bars ahead of kick-off.

What an opportunity this is for Edinburgh. Beat the Bulls and they will be on home soil in the Challenge Cup semi-finals against either Gloucester or Bath.

This competition has opened up for them in a big way. Edinburgh won't win the URC - anyone who watched Leinster last night could tell you that - so this represents their one shot at silverware.

The path to the final is clear, but only if Edinburgh get it right today.

Bulls head coach Jake White tells Premier Sports: "Nothing changes. Playing away from home is difficult, it doesn't matter what competition you're in.

"That's why people fight so hard to get home play-off games. You want to play in front of your own crowd, sleep in your own bed. I'm expecting a tough game.

"We haven't been lucky enough to beat Edinburgh here yet, even in the URC. Why would it change now?

"Saying that, it's a play-off game, different to a URC game where you're trying to get bonus points. Today we just need to find a way to win.

"I know Sean well, he's a good guy and he's doing well here. I know they haven't been here for a while so I've no doubt they'll be fired up."

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Rumour has it the two head coaches, Sean Everitt and Jake White, were out having dinner together last night.

The two worked together at the Sharks for years, before White hired Everitt on a consultancy basis at the Bulls during the 2022-23 season.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt tells Premiers Sports: "For us, it's going to be a tough game. The challenge will come up front, the Bulls are known for their physicality and strong set piece.

"We need to nullify them in that department and stick to what we've been doing well in the last couple of weeks.

"We had some good depth building while the internationals were away and now we've welcomed them back. They've added a new dimension to the team, so we're in a good place."

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Edinburgh have been in five Challenge Cup quarter-finals since the 2016-17 season.

They've only gotten past this stage once, back in 2014-15, when they lost in the final to Gloucester.

This year, they topped their pool with three wins from four, before that 24-12 win over the Lions at the Hive last weekend.

This year has been a tough one in the league and Sean Everitt is under pressure. European progression would put a lot more credit in the bank for the South African.

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The Bulls have been boosted by the return of club captain Ruan Nortje, with the other change to the forwards pack seeing Marcell Coetzee shifting from eight to the role of openside.

That move means Cameron Hanekom can return to the starting lineup in his regular number eight role.

On the bench, Springbok duo Johann Grobbelaar and Canan Moodie return to add real strength in depth.

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Boan Venter and Ewan Ashman are the only two changes to the Edinburgh side that saw off the Lions.

Venter replaces Scotland veteran and British & Irish Lions candidate Pierre Schoeman at loosehead prop, while Ashman comes in for the departing Dave Cherry, whose move to Top 14 side Vannes was confirmed this week.

On the bench, head coach Sean Everitt is boosted by the return of tighthead prop D'Arcy Rae, recent Scotland cap Ben Muncaster, and centre Mosese Tuipulotu.

The other change in the replacements is in the lock department where Rob Carmichael replaces Glen Young, with the 22-year-old potentially making just his third senior appearance.

Image source, SNS