Edinburgh Rugby reaction: scrum-half tipped for international future after ‘exceptional’ debut

Patterson, 21, marked his first competitive appearance with a try and put in an assured performance before being replaced by Ben Vellacott 12 minutes from time.

Edinburgh had to dig in for the win. They trailed 30-24 going into the final minute but a late try from Boan Venter, converted by fellow replacement Cammy Scott, sealed a 31-30 win.

Hooker Ewan Ashman scored a try double for the home side and there was also one from Connor Boyle on a night when Zebre weighed in with four of their own through Alessandro Fusco, Simone Gesi, Jacopo Trulla and Matteo Nocera.

Patterson, a product of Hawick RFC, is a former Scotland Under-20 international. He has had to be patient for his chance at Edinburgh after being sidelined by a fractured wrist but he stepped up against Zebre.

“I thought he went really well,” said Everitt, the capital club’s head coach. “We spoke about it during the week that he's shown a lot of promise at training. Once again, it's where we're going with the pathway system at the club and the transition that we have.

“We've got these youngsters coming through and all they need is opportunity now. The more games he plays, the better he's going to get. I thought tonight, particularly in the wind, he was exceptional with his box kicking. I'm really proud of him and happy for him. It's a great day.”

Everitt believes that if he keeps applying himself the scrum-half can go on to emulate his father Derrick who was capped by Scotland in the 1990s.

“He can be very proud of his performance,” added the coach. “As long as he keeps working on his game, he's in control of where he can be, which is probably at the international level.”

This was a rare win in the United Rugby Championship in what has been a disappointing season for Edinburgh. It was also against the team that are propping up the table but Everitt was satisfied with the outcome against the Italian side who won at the Hive last season.

“Yes, we’re very happy,” he said. “Obviously it's going to be tough in the second half against the wind. We didn't probably have enough of a lead. We didn't get the territory that we wanted in the first half. But yes, I’m happy with how the guys fought back. They wanted to play for each other tonight and we wanted to show our fans what we can do.

“I thought the guys fought well to stay in the game and obviously be patient with the ball in hand to get it over and score at the end.”

It was a testy game at times, with tempers boiling over in the second half. Liam McConnell, Edinburgh’s flanker, was the victim of a dangerous clearout at one point and later went off with a head injury.

“He failed the HIA,” confirmed Everitt. “So it's next steps now. He'll do his other testing tomorrow and over the weekend. Hopefully, he'll come through well for next week.”

Edinburgh are home again next Friday, against the Lions. If McConnell is unavailable it will leave them short in the back row where they have been hit by a number of injuries, with Luke Crosbie, Sam Skinner, Magnus Bradbury, Ben Muncaster all currently unavailable. In addition, Hamish Watson has been allowed to leave for Leicester on loan.