PREVIEW: EDINBURGH v OXFORD (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

EDINBURGH hand a debut to new signing Michael Palm Toft tonight (Friday) as the Monarchs host Oxford looking to get off the mark in the Cab Direct Championship.

Palm Toft, who has been out of facing so far in 2025, comes in at No.1 for the Armadale side as a replacement for the departed Oskar Polis, although they are without Paco Castagna tonight due to his GP Qualifier this weekend.

The Cheetahs are forced into wholesale changes due to injuries and international commitments with only former Monarchs favourite Sam Masters and Jordan Jenkins available from their regular septet.
However, they have recruited ex-Edinburgh duo Lasse Fredriksen and Jacob Hook as guests, whilst Jody Scott also comes in at reserve.

Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “We have Oxford coming, with Sam leading them, and I still think of Sam as one of ours really!

“They’ve done very well with a win at Poole, and we hope to send them packing as we did narrowly last year.

“We are missing Paco, but Sedgy (Justin Sedgmen) gets one of the rider replacement rides so we should be able to cope OK with Victor (Palovaara) still at reserve.”

EDINBURGH: Michael Palm Toft, Paco Castagna r/r, Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Justin Sedgmen, Victor Palovaara, Mark Parker.

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps r/r, Lasse Fredriksen, Ben Morley, Jordan Jenkins, Jody Scott, Jacob Hook.

SCB Referee: Chris Durno

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv