“He just aggravated an AC joint,” explained head coach Sean Everitt. “It’s something that we didn’t need to risk this week, with Hector starting, and Charlie performed well in the number nine jersey in the last game that he played. So, it’s precautionary for us.”

With Ben Healy and James Lang moving on this summer and academy prospect Ross Wolfenden untested, Everitt admits it’s a position they may look to strengthen in the summer.

“James Lang has been the back-up 10 for us, so it’s important that Cammy gets some time,” he added. “He hasn’t had as much time as he would have liked over the last several weeks so that switch is purely rotational at this stage. We do need strength in depth in that position. We weren’t able to see too much of Ross Wolfenden in that position up until now so he was obviously one that we looked at. But yes, we’re always looking to strengthen our squad in areas where there are specialist positions.” 

It’s a similar story at scrum-half, although Paterson’s impressive debut suggests he could well provide a viable third option next season.

“It was always my plan to give him more than one start,” added Everitt. “I don’t believe that you give a player one opportunity and then take him away. He’s got to grow in that position and he’s got to grow in the competition and get experience at the URC level. It’s great that he had a good game last week and a good debut at home. He showed a tremendous amount of potential but he’s also got a lot of work to do. The work that he has to do is on his fundamentals as well. He looks comfortable and that’s important. It looks like he’s got a big match temperament and that’s what you need.”

There are two other enforced changes to the line-up with Glen Young and Tom Currie replacing Liam McConnell and Connor Boyle respectively, the latter pair both sidelined after sustaining concussions last week.

On Currie, Everitt said: “It’s a great opportunity for Tom. He did well off the bench last week and he’s a guy that had a couple of starts in the first block of URC games and then, unfortunately, injury ruled him out. He’s definitely one for the future. He’s still young, 21 years old. It’s a great opportunity for him against a world-class, international-quality loose trio to step up and show what he’s capable of.”

It’s a matchday squad that contains 12 current or former academy players and, while there is little tangible on the line, Everitt expects a determined performance in the team’s penultimate home match of the campaign. He added: “We spoke about it last week and the players got together as a group as well. We want to make our fans proud, we want to show fight in what we’re doing and obviously improve in certain areas.

“We managed to get over the line [versus Zebre] in the 80th minute. It was something that we were working towards. We haven’t really put in an 80-minute performance but to come back strongly in that game from behind was really pleasing. And it shows that the fight that the players want to put in. We know we’re going to get a good crowd on Friday night, and it’s about putting in a great performance for the fans.”

Edinburgh (versus Sharks @ Hive Stadium, on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm GMT): P O’Conor; D Graham, M Tuipulotu, F Thomson, M Satala; C Scott, H Patterson; P Schoeman, E Ashman, O Blyth-Lafferty, M Sykes, G Gilchrist ©, G Young, F Douglas, T Currie. Replacements: D Richardson, B Venter, P Hill, C Hunter-Hill, T Dodd, C Shiel, R Thompson, J Brown.

Unavailable:  Charlie McCaig (knee), Rhys Litterick (achilles), Rob Carmichael (wrist), Luke Crosbie (hamstring), Sam Skinner (hamstring), Paddy Harrison (back), Conor McAlpine (hamstring), Wes Goosen (hand), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Harry Paterson (quad), Magnus Bradbury (ankle), Matt Currie (hamstring), Mikey Jones (bicep), Ben Muncaster (ankle), James Lang (ankle), D’arcy Rae (calf), Liam McConnell (concussion), Connor Boyle (concussion), Ben Vellacott (shoulder)