Edinburgh bound scrum-half to line-up alongside All Blacks star for one of rugby's greatest rivalries

Canterbury, who have won the title 15 times, will host 17 time champions Auckland on Saturday in a match that Edinburgh supporters may be interested in keeping an eye on. That’s because scrum-half Louie Chapman, who has signed with the capital club and will arrive at the Hive later this year, has been named in the starting XV for the home side.

The 26-year-old Scotland-qualified half-back agreed the move in April and will be available to play for Sean Everitt’s side once he has seen out his commitments to province. The regular NPC season runs until October 4 before the knockout stages, which conclude with the final on October 24.

Edinburgh bound scrum-half Louie Chapman named in Canterbury starting XV for 2026 NPC opener

This weekend’s opener will also see the return of former All Black’s fly-half Richie Mo’unga for Canterbury after the 32-year-old spent the past two years with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan. The 56-times capped back is named on the bench for the fixture.

Another Scotland-qualified New Zealander who will be arriving at Edinburgh later this year is centre Riley Higgins. Just like Chapman, the 23-year-old must see out his commitments with his province before moving to the Hive.

However, having undergone shoulder surgery earlier this year, he is expected to play no part in Wellington’s campaign. They will begin their season on Sunday at home to Hawke’s Bay.

Both players will be available for selection by Sean Everitt’s side come November with plenty of excitement surrounding their arrivals. In the meantime, Edinburgh fans can watch Chapman in action via RugbyPassTV.

Scottish qualified New Zealander’s to arrive in Edinburgh once 2026 NPC season has concluded

Speaking on the signings at the time, Everitt said: “Riley is an outstanding talent and this is a significant signing for Edinburgh Rugby. He has already proven himself at the highest level in the southern hemisphere – a player who was keeping All Blacks out of the Hurricanes’ starting line-up before his 24th birthday – and we believe the best is still very much to come from him.

“The fact that he has chosen to turn down a potential All Blacks future, and has rejected higher offers elsewhere, to come to Edinburgh tells you everything about his ambition to succeed in Scotland. We worked enormously hard over many months to get this deal over the line, and I’m delighted we’ve got it done.

“At 23, Riley still has room to grow, and I genuinely believe the best is still to come from him. Alongside guys like Matt Currie and Mosese Tuipulotu, we are building something really exciting in our midfield, and I know our supporters will enjoy watching this group develop together. I can’t wait to have him with us this summer.

“We’re really excited to welcome Louie to Edinburgh. He has a huge amount of potential, but what stands out when you watch him is the maturity he brings – the control, the decision-making, the way he manages the game with tempo.

“Those aren’t attributes that come by accident, and for a player still on the right side of 26 who has developed in that Crusaders environment, they tell you a great deal about his ceiling. He will come in and challenge our existing scrum-halves, and that competition will make everyone better. He’s another high-quality addition to a squad we are building with real intent.”

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