Scottish Rugby

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Head coach Sean Everitt says Edinburgh will be energised by the return of Darcy Graham as his side look to bounce back from defeat by Zebre when they face Ulster on Friday.

It is a game that has had its kick-off brought forward by just over an hour to 19:00 BST to avoid the worst of Storm Amy.

Edinburgh opened their United Rugby Championship campaign with a disappointing loss in Italy, although Everitt denied it had been "a lacklustre, or a heartless, performance" from his team.

The South African admits, though, that his side must get league points on the board early to avoid last season's late scramble to reach the play-offs.

Everitt hopes the return of Scotland wing Graham, who has recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in his single appearance for the Lions in the summer, will help Edinburgh bounce back against Ulster.

"It's great to have Darcy back with his experience, number one," Everitt said.

"Number two, he's a world-class player. He's very creative in his style of play and he does give the team energy.

"The team will take a lot of confidence out of having him on the right wing."

Everitt does not wish to dwell on Edinburgh's poor start to the season and wants his side to put the defeat by Zebre behind them for their first home game of the campaign.

"It is frustrating because it's not the start that you had planned and were hoping for," he said.

"I'd rather those mistakes happen in round one than in round 16. So the guys are positive and we know that Edinburgh always fight back after disappointment."

Paul Hill faces a late fitness test on a calf injury and Angus Williams will replace the prop on the bench if he is ruled out.

Edinburgh: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Piers O'Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, ⁠Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman, ⁠Ewan Ashman, ⁠D'arcy Rae, ⁠Marshall Sykes, Grant Gilchrist, ⁠Liam McConnell, ⁠Hamish Watson, ⁠Magnus Bradbury (capt).

Replacements: Paddy Harrison, James Whitcombe, Angus Williams/Paul Hill*, ⁠Sam Skinner, Freddy Douglas, ⁠Charlie Shiel, ⁠Findlay Thomson, ⁠Harry Paterson.

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BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

David asked: Are Edinburgh a hopeless basket case? We can't keep having more of the same, ad nauseam, as you've said yourselves, so what can be done?

Tom answered: Fraser Brown was on the Scotland Rugby podcast this week and he had some very interesting thoughts on the state of Edinburgh. He advocates a complete overhaul and empowering a new regime to rip it up and start again. A four-year plan.

Edinburgh are just limping along from one season to the next. Enough is enough. There needs to be a dramatic rethink there; new chief executive, new coaching set-up and clear out some of the time-servers in the dressing room. Some of them have been there for too long.

There remains a feeling that too many in this Edinburgh squad don't feel it the way the Glasgow players feel it. It's not all about the coach, because multiple coaches have been tried - different types of coaches as well - and none of them have cracked it.

There should be a major examination of the way Edinburgh operate. The place remains a terrible under-achiever and that result last weekend was grim. They'll probably beat Ulster at the weekend - it would be typical of them to win well - and this yo-yo existence will carry on for another season. It's tiresome.

Andrew asked: How realistic are reports linking Ben White to Edinburgh next season? What might that mean for Ben Vellacott, who Gregor Townsend doesn't seem to value?

Tom answered: Ben White's contract at Toulon is up at the end of the season. Sean Everitt was asked about this last week and he said he'd be interested in any Test player who might be available but pointed out that there was nothing in it as yet.

White is an excellent player, but I struggle to see why he would move to a failing club like Edinburgh. I presume he'd have more attractive offers on the table if and when the time comes to leave Toulon.

Tam asked: With Huw Jones out of the autumn internationals, who is likely to take his place?

Tom answered: Personally, I'd go with a midfield of Sione Tuipulotu at 12 and Cam Redpath at 13. Both are natural 12s, I know, but Redpath has played 13 a fair bit and I wouldn't have any worries about him. He's a wonderful footballer - creative and smart and a good defender - and his confidence is high having won the league with Bath last season.

There are other combinations, though. Tom Jordan and Tuipulotu. Rory Hutchinson and Tuipulotu (or Tuipulotu and Hutchinson), Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall. There's still some very good players to pick from in Huw Jones' absence.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Scottish Rugby's communications department is at pains to point out that Gregor Townsend's deal on rugby strategy is with Red Bull, the global brand, rather than with Newcastle Red Bulls, the one rugby club that the global brand actually owns.

Maybe it was a fear of failing foul of conflict of interest rules, but there was a fair amount of dancing on the head of a pin from some at Murrayfield.

If Townsend has no involvement with Red Bull's rugby team in the Premiership, who, exactly, is he advising on rugby strategy, philosophy and culture?

Perhaps these things are entirely unconnected but Wednesday brought further news from Newcastle Red Bulls.

• Jonny Petrie, a former Scotland team-mate of Townsend's, is their new managing director.

• Neil McIlroy, Townsend's fellow Borderer, is the new sporting director/general manager.

• John Fletcher, currently head of pathways at the SRU, will become Newcastle Red Bulls academy and pathways director later in the year.

It's already been termed by some fans as a Scottish takeover. If Townsend is not advising the rugby club, these new additions must be a series of co-incidences.

There is a hope - expressed quietly within Murrayfield - that connections with a giant organisation such as Red Bull will have benefits not just for Townsend and his hunger for knowledge, but also for the SRU.

The SRU has no money to create a much-needed third professional team to sit alongside Glasgow and Edinburgh. They need to get more games into their younger players and they have limited scope to do it.

There is no business link between the SRU and the Red Bulls, but if underplayed young Scots can be loaned out to this ambitious new club and given more game-time than they might get at home, that could help their development.

No discussion of this sort has taken place, and maybe none will, but Townsend now having a foot in the Red Bull world could be of use down the line - to him and to the SRU in general.

A source close to Murrayfield said that if a relationship with Red Bull blossomed to the point that their rugby team could become a sort of third outlet for Scottish players then the SRU would "up for that conversation."

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Former Scotland and Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown believes Franco Smith's extended stay is "healthy" for both Warriors and Scottish rugby.

Despite attracting interest from elsewhere the South African agreed a new contract last month, which ties him to the club as head coach until 2028, having overseen a period of success since his arrival in 2022.

Glasgow opened their URC campaign on Friday with a 35-19 bonus point victory over Sharks at Scotstoun.

"For Glasgow, it's brilliant," Brown told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"They get continuity, they get a world-class coach. I think they've got a world-class coaching team as well.

"Franco, he's a very complex man at times, very emotional man.

"To have him at the helm at Glasgow is healthy for Glasgow and to have him in Glasgow is healthy for Scottish rugby."

Scotland captain and Warriors flanker Rory Darge echoed Brown's praise of the head coach.

"It's great know that Franco is staying on and there's an amount of continuity there with the coaches," he said.

"There have been young boys stepping up, knowing he's going to be here long term."

Grant Young
Fan writer

After a busy summer of rugby featuring the Lions in Australia and Scotland's tour, it was great to be back at Scotstoun.

Anticipation for the new season is high, with Franco Smith committing his future and Glasgow holding on to a number of key players. The big loss could be Tom Jordan, who tore it up for Bristol on his debut.

Smith's men enjoyed a winning start against a visiting Sharks side who were missing several starters but still played with typical grit and determination.

After an error-strewn opening 40 minutes for the Warriors in which they wasted several chances, Rory Darge's try and an opportunistic score from the sniping Jamie Dobie ensured victory.

Darge was superb, a classy performer starting the season the way you'd expect.

Debutants Kerr Yule and Dan Lancaster also impressed, looking like they are fitting in well and taking the opportunity given to them.

The next challenge takes Glasgow to Italy to take on Benetton. Smith's side were dominated and demolished on their previous visit there in May by the improving Italian side and will be hoping to set the record straight.

It's a huge game in determining which direction the season could take.

It was an eventful opening weekend in the URC as Glasgow beat Sharks at Scotstoun while Edinburgh suffered a last-gasp defeat at Zebre.

Whether it's looking back on those two matches, or anything else Scottish rugby related, our reporters Tom English and Andy Burke are ready to answer your questions.

Send them in via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Franco Smith was pleased Glasgow Warriors came through "a strange game" against the Sharks to deliver maximum points in their United Rugby Championship opener.

Warriors eventually pulled away from the South African side in a stuffy affair to win 35-19 on Friday.

Smith says while nothing is won and lost on the opening weekend, Glasgow learned from last season the importance of putting points on the board early in the league campaign.

"We learned last year if you don't play every game on its merit you pay for it at the back end," Smith told BBC Scotland.

"We lost three in the last minute last year and if we won just one of those games, we would have had the semi-final at home. So it is valuable points at this stage."

Smith saw his son, Jean, make his URC debut for the Sharks when he came off the bench late in the game at Scotstoun.

"I was nervous," Smith said. "I didn't want him to come on early because maybe one of his errors can lead to us winning.

"So I wanted always the best for him. But everything worked out well and he made a very try-saving tackle on Ollie Smith. So we'll look with a double opinion on that.

"But I'm really proud of him and I'm glad it happened here."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow's winning mentality

Glasgow will perform better this season, but what shone through was their winning mentality, which is particularly evident on their own patch.

The Sharks stubbornly refused to go away until the late in the game when Warriors finally pulled away on the scoreboard.

What was impressive was whenever the South African side hauled themselves back within striking distance, Glasgow went straight down the other end and scored to reassert their authority.

That's the mindset of a team who have been over the course before, and you would not bet against them being there or thereabouts again this season.

Reliable Rowe

Kyle Rowe rarely grabs the headlines but he must be a coach's dream.

The wing has that happy knack of seemingly always being in the right place in the right time and popping up with tries just when his team needs them.

The Sharks opened up Glasgow on a couple of occasions early on and got themselves in front with Edwill van der Merwe's try, but Rowe's response just five minutes later prevented any sense of panic setting in for the home side.

Rowe is one of those wings who does everything well – a terrific runner with ball-in-hand, solid defensively, good under the high ball and always seems to make good decisions.

Ferrie made of the right stuff

This could be the season Euan Ferrie really comes to the fore.

The 24-year-old has for some time been considered one of Glasgow's best prospects and now we are seeing him ready to play a more central role.

Ferrie carries hard, makes vital yards and has a great appetite for work.

His brilliant offload off the deck for George Horne showed there is also a subtlety to his game and his ability to cover both second and back-row makes him an invaluable option for Warriors.

We asked for your views on Edinburgh's 31-28 defeat to Zebre.

Here's what some of you said:

Rod: More of the same. Kicking from hand was awful. Losing to the worst team in the league when they were down to 14 men for 30 minutes is truly worrying. Surely it is time for a change.

Alex: When are Edinburgh going to stop scapegoating the head coach and realise it's the club culture of mediocrity that's the problem? Edinburgh players have access to international facilities, international physios and international equipment at Murrayfield! This clown car of a club needs to stop, it was funny for the last 26 years, not now!

Mark: I like Zebre as plucky underdogs but Edinburgh should be putting these teams away easily. A terrible start to the season. Edinburgh have world class players who play magnificently for the Lions and Scotland but are miserable for them. The only conclusion is that a team that represents 50 per cent of the Scotland team will finish outside the top eight and that's down to the coach.

Steve: Well, what can one say about that. Once again Edinburgh Rugby manage to play slightly below the level of their opposition in what was a low quality contest. Aimless, directionless, rudderless, call it what you will, but definitely useless. In fact, pick any "less" you like and that pretty much sums up Edinburgh right now. For all the bravado of the pre-season talk, the players looked half baked and badly prepared, both physically and tactically.

David: Edinburgh gave the impression that they simply did not want to be there. There appeared to be no spark in the team. They had no exit strategy from their own half except aimless kicking which allowed a 14 man Zebre to keep them in their own half for most of the sin bin period. They were back to the disjoined outfit they were at the beginning of last season.

Joe: Hate to be harsh but absolutely no progress from last season. Same lack of passion from some players, set plays just not working and for me that's the head coach all day.

Ian: Lots of chat pre-season about Edinburgh picking up where they left off last season and kicking on. Not evident in that match. Yes it's the first game of the season, but this was pretty one dimensional and uninspiring. Early days, need to pick it up this Friday and set the season alight. Please don't let this be yet another season where we underperform to our potential.

Doug: Edinburgh want to win the URC but then at the first hurdle they fall over. Serious mental fragility continues to exist over this squad. They'll no doubt continue to flatter to deceive, possibly eke out a performance against Glasgow then return to normal. Nothing changes year on year, it's the fans I feel sorry for.

Andy: Looks like another poor season in store for Edinburgh. They've learnt nothing from past seasons and continue to be a group who have no strong leadership. Unless a quality nine & ten can be found, it'll be a mid table finish at best.

Glasgow fans, we asked for your views on Glasgow Warriors' victory over Sharks on Friday night.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kenny: An important win for Warriors at the start of another long season. Excellent attacking rugby from both sides with sparkling tries to match. Let's hope that the Jack Dempsey injury ahead of kick-off is not a serious blow to player and club.

David: Good win for Glasgow. Dan Lancaster needs to up his speed of thought as his indecisions stopped good opportunities in attack, as he was caught in possession. Game certainly was played at a higher pace when Adam Hastings was stand off.

Tom: Great game to watch. The pace and aggression from both sides was breath-taking to watch. A real team performance and I felt all of our players were on it from start to finish. Very optimistic for this season.

Ethan: As Franco Smith would say, always good to learn from a match but even better to learn when winning. The scoreboard didn't reflect Glasgow's performance as should have had about three or four more tries as they were taken away by ref/missed opportunities such as try line knock on. Good debuts for Lancaster and Kerr Yule. A winning bonus point whilst denying Sharks is a brilliant result. Hopefully Jack Dempsey recovers soon and Glasgow are sharp for Benetton away as that's always a tough game.

Henry: Overall, a few shaky moments but a good start. Stafford MacDowall guided the young ones well as captain.

Edinburgh started their United Rugby Championship campaign in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday as a penalty in the final seconds gave Zebre a 31-28 win in Parma.

Read the match report.

Have your say on the match.

Glasgow Warriors started their URC campaign with an impressive 35-19 victory over Sharks at Scotstoun on Friday.

Read the match report.

Have your say on the match.

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Glasgow flanker and player of the match Rory Darge tells BBC Scotland: "It's great to be back and great to start with a win. We want to start the season well and know every league point counts.

"To get five points tonight is a great way to start the season.

"First half we weren't getting the results we wanted - just little detail not quite on it. It was about sticking to what we knew would work and executing it.

"We've had a few battle with Sharks and tonight was another battle.

"The way Franco goes about giving young guys opportunities, there's competition for places. The whole environment in pre-season and this first game has been great. It's exciting times.

"Attention will turn to Treviso, which hasn't been easy for us in recent years. If we go there and get a win as well we'll be in a really good place."

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James Whitcombe and Piers O'Conor will make their competitive Edinburgh debuts as Sean Everitt's side start the new URC season at Zebre on Saturday.

Scotland-qualified prop Whitcombe signed on a three-year deal from Leicester Tigers earlier this summer, while versatile back O'Conor arrived from Connacht on a two-year deal.

Magnus Bradbury captains the side from number eight, while Lions duo Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe are both named on the bench.

Edinburgh finished seventh in the URC last season under Everitt, losing to Bulls in the quarter-finals.

"I think everyone's raring to go," Everitt said.

"It's been a long pre-season, it's been nine weeks, the guys have played two games now and we can't wait to start. We're all looking forward to it and excited about what it might bring.

"I think we're well equipped if you look at the amount of hours we've spent on the training pitch, particularly over the last four to five weeks because we've been able to train really well with the numbers that we've had.

"We got a lot of 15 v 15 training so everyone is well equipped. We've got two new caps this week which is exciting for them but the rest of the team have all played together before."

Edinburgh side to face Zebre: Goosen, Paterson, O'Conor, Lang, Brown, Healy, Vellacott; Whitcombe, Ashman, Hill, Sykes, Gilchrist, McConnell, Crosbie, Bradbury.

Replacements: Harrison, Schoeman, Rae, Skinner, Watson, Shiel, Thomson, Van der Merwe.

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Fly-half Dan Lancaster and centre Kerr Yule will make their Glasgow Warriors debuts in Friday's URC opener against Sharks.

Lancaster, 24, joined Glasgow from Racing 92 in the summer, while 19-year-old Yule is an academy graduate.

Outside centre Stafford McDowall captains Warriors, with regular skipper Kyle Steyn not involved because of a hand injury.

Recent signing Charlie Savala as well as Zander Fagerson, Huw Jones, Nathan McBeth, Sione and Tavi Tuipulotu and Sione Vailanu also miss out.

Versatile Scotland back Adam Hastings is among the replacements.

Head coach Franco Smith told the Warriors website: "Playing at Scotstoun is always a privilege and we are looking forward to starting a new campaign at home in front of our home supporters.

"Even without their South African internationals, the Sharks are proof there are no underpowered teams in the URC – their squad is built to perform and their depth was a key factor in them finishing in the top four last season."

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall (capt), Kerr Yule, Ollie Smith, Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Jonny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Orguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakal, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Euan Ferrie, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Edinburgh have set their sights on winning the URC this season, says prop Paul Hill.

The capital side finished the regular season in seventh place last time around, going down to the Bulls in Pretoria in the quarter-finals.

Despite only scraping into the play-offs last season, Hill sees no reason why his team cannot be contenders in the new campaign, which Edinburgh begin with a trip to face Zebre in Parma on Saturday.

"We want to win the league," Hill said. "We talked about it, it happens because people believe in it day in, day out.

"Having silverware in the cabinet, I think that's the only goal. I believe in it. I think that's all there is.

"Edinburgh have traditionally underperformed. I think last year the beginning of the season was disappointing.

"But the momentum we carried from the back end, if we can show that all the way through this season and put games back-to-back, I think that's something we can definitely achieve."