Scottish Rugby

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt told the assembled media post-match: "There were some really good moments in that game. We got the scores that we needed by half-time.

"It was always going to be difficult playing into a strong wind in the second half. Probably not a perfect performance, but our disciplined defence kept them out.

"That's the Paddy [Harrison] we know. He certainly adds impact and obviously Darcy Graham's individual brilliance was outstanding.

"Every five points you get is going to help the cause. We need to focus on every game and try to win them all.

"Our kicking game was good, we put them under pressure and when teams kick at us we're really dangerous.

"Dragons are proud and they've got a lot to fight for. The guys did really well to keep them down to one try. Happy with our defence and our discipline."

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has made seven changes to the side that beat Munster last Friday for this Saturday's URC match at home to Lions.

Nathan McBeth, Grant Stewart and Sam Talakai form an entirely changed front row, while Gregor Brown - who signed a new deal with the club this week - partners JP du Preez in the second row.

Tom Jordan starts at inside-centre with Stafford McDowall shifting to 13, while Jamie Dobie replaces Sebastian Cancelliere on the wing.

Scotland internationals Zander Fagerson, Rory Sutherland and Rory Darge are all among the replacements.

Glasgow occupy second place in the table, with Lions down in 13th.

"We know that another stern test awaits us as we look to back up a hard-earned result last weekend," Smith said.

"The Lions play a brand of rugby unlike any other in the competition, with a highly physical forward pack complementing a backline that has the potential to cause problems from anywhere on the field."

Glasgow side to face Lions: Rowe, Dobie, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Stewart, Talakai, Brown, Du Preez, Ferrie, Vailanu, Mann.

Replacements: Matthews, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Samuel, Venter, Darge, Afshar, Cancelliere.

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh welcome back six Scotland internationals for Friday night's URC match with Dragons at Hive Stadium.

Wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe return to the XV having both scored twice during the Six Nations, with prop Pierre Schoeman, lock Grant Gilchrist and back-row Jamie Ritchie also starting. Hooker Dave Cherry is named amongst the replacements.

Wes Goosen, who has played every minute of Edinburgh's campaign so far, starts at full-back alongside Graham and van der Merwe.

Edinburgh go into the game 11th in the standings having lost three of their past four league outings, while Dragons sit bottom.

"Dragons are a dangerous side, they win a lot of turnovers and can be really efficient and hurt you in the 22," said Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt.

"They gave Ulster a hard time on Saturday, so it's not a team we can take lightly.

"Every game in the URC has been tight in the last couple of months, so we have to focus on ourselves and make sure we can execute as accurately as we can."

Edinburgh team: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Lang, van der Merwe, Thompson, Vellacott, Schoeman, Harrison, Rae, Sykes, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury.

Replacements: Cherry, Venter, Sebastian, Young, Douglas, Price, Scott, McCann.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has been talking to the media before the Women's Six Nations match away to France this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• Jade Konkel replaces Evie Gallagher - who serves a one-match ban after her red card last weekend - in a "smooth transition in the back row" for Scotland's only change from the opening win over Wales.

• Easson pointed to a longer-term emphasis on basing everything on performance as being key to a run of 13 wins from their past 17 fixtures as they head into a tough environment in front of 17,000 fans in La Rochelle.

• "I believe it's sold out," he said. "The whole town will come out and be out early. They'll be there for warm-up and we have made it very clear to the group of players who have not been in France before what to expect because it's important they understand. France is a good side. So it will be tough. We've been very, very clear on that, but we're going there with confidence."

• The head coach said the opportunity to play in that setting against one of the top sides is "why we play rugby" and Scotland are looking forward to "putting in another strong performance."

• For his side to compete, Easson says they have to "put it together for 80 minutes", adding they've been working hard on that and it is essential to put France under pressure."

BBC Scotland rugby reporter Andy Burke has been answering some of your questions.

Davie asked: When is someone going to read the riot act to these Edinburgh players? Time for coaching/player overhaul to sort this shambles. Slash the wage bill and give more Under-20s a chance??

Andy answered: If I had a pound for every time we have had to discuss Edinburgh's infuriating inconsistency, either online or on air, I would be a very wealthy man.

I have no idea what it will take to get these Edinburgh players to perform to their potential on a weekly basis. Crucially, Sean Everitt does not, after almost two years in the job, seem any closer to solving the puzzle either.

When Richard Cockerill first arrived in 2017, reading the riot act was exactly what he did and exactly what was required. I always recall Simon Bergan telling us how Cockerill had toughened him up a bit.

The Englishman's combative style was only ever going to have a limited shelf life, but it seems the current squad are once again at that point that they need an authoritative figure to come in and sort them out.

To your point about fielding more U20s, I think Edinburgh should – and will – move on some older players whose best days are behind them, but the youngsters replacing them need to be of the required standard or else you are simply putting out lambs to the slaughter.

Freddy Douglas looks ready now, he's a special talent and should play a prominent role between now and the end of the season.

James asked: In December the SRU announced the appointment of David Nucifora with great fanfare given by the media yet we've heard nothing since other than his impending absence with the Lions. Known as a man of action, and in light of Edinburgh's dire form, Franco Smith's uncertain future and Scotland's poor Six Nations, when will we see the first signs of his influence?

Andy answered: The Nucifora situation is an interesting one. When we spoke to new SRU chief executive Alex Williamson on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast at the end of January, he said he could not see any downsides to Nucifora going off on tour with the Lions. I'm not so sure about that.

Here we are with Scotland coming off an underwhelming Six Nations and many people questioning whether Gregor Townsend is still the right man to take the national team forward, Sean Everitt looking more and more like a lame duck at Edinburgh, and Franco Smith seemingly itching for his next move.

There is uncertainty surrounding the three top jobs in Scottish rugby right now and the man tasked with overseeing it all presumably has his head in all things Lions.

A post-tournament review is standard after every Six Nations and it will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes from this one.

If it is radio silence and business as normal, there will be a sense that Nucifora's priorities are not where they need to be from a Scottish rugby perspective.

Image source, Getty Images

John Dalziel says he was surprised by the "respect" given to Scottish players by fellow British and Irish Lions coaches after he was confirmed as part of Andy Farrell's staff for the summer tour to Australia.

Dalziel joins Richard Wiggleworth, Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty on the coaching ticket, with the playing squad to be announced on 8 May.

"The biggest surprise for me was the respect given to all the Scottish players by all the other coaches," Dalziel said. "Looking at the Scottish names on the list and the way they are speaking about our players as well as us in our bubble.

"We know internally we've got a lot of world-class players, so it's great to see Scottish players are properly getting spoken about in circles like this."

On what he will bring to the Lions camp, Scotland forwards coach Dalziel emphasised the importance of understanding and empathising with players.

"The key is the connection with players," he said. "You have to connect with them away from rugby and have the comfort to have a difficult chat about performance but also let them know you're there to pick them up and support them."

Image source, SNS

Scotland's Gregor Brown has signed a new Glasgow Warriors contract running until the summer of 2027.

After coming through the club's academy, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year.

The versatile Scotland international, who can play in both the second row and back row, made his professional debut in February 2021 and has gone on to make 31 appearances.

He was rewarded with a Scotland call-up for his form across the 2023-24 season and was selected in the 2024 summer tour, making his senior international debut in the victory over Canada in Ottawa.

"It was a really easy decision," Brown said. "I grew up supporting Glasgow Warriors and watched the team lift the 2015 title, so to be a part of a league-winning squad with this club last season was a real dream come true.

"I feel like I've really developed my game since signing as a professional here. The coaching group are a world-class group, who have all been so important for my own development."

Head coach Franco Smith added: "Gregor's development has been extremely impressive over the past two seasons and we are delighted to retain a player of his potential."

Image source, SNS

Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist says he is "more determined than ever to achieve something special" with Edinburgh after signing a one-year contract extension to remain at his boyhood club for a 15th season.

The 34-year-old made his professional debut against Cardiff in 2011 and is just the fourth player in Edinburgh's history to surpass 200 appearances.

Gilchrist, who is co-captain, said: "Being a one-club man is something I cherish deeply. I still feel like I have so much more to give to this club and the thought of helping lead this team to a winning moment would be the proudest moment of my career.

"We have a huge finish to the season ahead in both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the URC and I'm more determined than ever to achieve something special with this group of players and staff.

"Retirement isn't on my mind; I still feel I have unfinished business here at Edinburgh."

Gilchrist featured in all five of Scotland's Six Nations fixtures earlier this year and started three of the Autumn Nations Series Tests in November against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: "Grant is the epitome of a one-club man and his unwavering commitment to Edinburgh is inspiring.

"It's brilliant news to retain a player of Grant's calibre, who continues to perform at the very top of his game."

After another Edinburgh defeat, the future of head coach Sean Everitt is a hot topic on this week's episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

Andy Burke and Colin Gregor also look back at wins for Scotland in the Women's Six Nations and Glasgow in the URC.

Plus we hear from Scotland flanker Rachel McLachlan before the game with France this weekend.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Chris Jones
Rugby Union Correspondent

Image source, Scottish Rugby

The selection of John Dalziel on Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions coaching team for the summer tour of Australia was a bit of a surprise. It only really emerged in the last 24 hours that he was a contender to go.

We know the staff has an Ireland tinge to it with Farrell in charge and Simon Easterby, who is going to run the defence, scrum guru John Fogerty and attack coach Andrew Goodman all confirmed.

But the inclusion of Scotland forwards coach Dalziel and England assistant Richard Wigglesworth means Farrell is looking outside Ireland for some other influences.

Four years ago Steve Tandy and Gregor Townsend both went to South Africa, so there's been a good Scottish representation on the last couple of tours and Dalziel will be there primarily to work with the forwards as Farrell looks to tap into as much of the home nations' expertise as he possibly can.

It's a solid appointment from Farrell. Scotland are often spoken about that they don't have the forward pack to go with their backline. Dalziel isn't working with the same kind of strength and depth as, say, an England coach would be, but Scotland's lineout has been super solid.

They've certainly upped their physicality over the last few years to be able to compete with the bigger sides so I think Dalziel will bring a lot to this tour, although it has come a little bit from leftfield.

I think there was a wide expectation that Paul O'Connell would be the forwards coach. This is a guy who's who's been coaching Ireland, who have won Six Nations titles recently, and O'Connell of course is steeped in Lions history as a player - three times a tourist - so he ticked all the boxes, but Farrell has instead turned to Dalziel.

It's a massive boost to Dalziel and his burgeoning coaching career and a feather in the Scottish Rugby Union's cap as well.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

At the end of September 2024, following defeat to Bulls, I wrote that Edinburgh required a specialist lineout coach as inaccuracies in that area went a long way to us losing that game.

Fast forward six months and the very same problem has bitten us again as both our hookers failed to get pass marks for their darts against Benetton and their inability to link with the jumpers consistently has cost us dearly.

It wasn't all their fault, but if you are failing with around half your lineouts then praise or prizes may elude you.

Before we move on from that particular issue, I have a further question. Who was calling the lineouts?

They might want to consider that if you've brought a sub on at hooker that perhaps the first thing you ask him to do, a throw to the tail (probably the hardest throw to get right) might not have been the best option.

Back in September I also criticised our over-dependence on one-out passes and that also haunted us against Benetton.

Just after Ewan Ashman's try, Ross McCann made a great break. He could probably have reached out and scored but instead the ball was recycled and we went through 10 phases of one-out passes on the Benetton try line yet failed to score.

If we had done better there then we would have had a two-score lead and that may have made a huge difference to the final outcome.

Other factors, or excuses if you prefer, that contributed include a ridiculous yellow card for Ben Muncaster in the first half. A contact so fleeting it could have been mistaken for an air kiss.

Benetton's ability to include some players who had been Six Nations regulars such as Simone Ferrari, Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello and Italian captain Michele Lamaro off the bench. Even the introduction of 40-year-old Agustin Creevy was a point of difference for Benetton.

The rest protocol for Scotland players is not a new thing but we still struggle to deal with these absences.

We started the weekend in seventh and a good win could have seen us in fifth. Instead we are 11th and our race to the eight could be over before you can say boo to a Goosen.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Grant Young
Fan writer

Glasgow showed why they are the defending champions and a major threat to anyone on Friday night.

A scrappy battle with Irish rivals Munster where Glasgow fought until the end to snatch victory, unlike what they did two weeks ago when they gifted the win back to Ospreys.

There is something pretty special about a Glasgow and Munster game, there's always a good travelling support and it does feel the players understand the rivalry that exists.

Franco Smith was able to add a sprinkling of players that had been involved in Scotland duty but also we saw the return of some injured players.

The return of Sione Vailanu slightly makes up for the injury sustained by Jack Dempsey and the return of Captain Kyle Steyn speaks for itself and the impact he has across the game.

A slow start again hampered Glasgow and early Munster pressure (even when reduced to 14 players) saw them dominate possession and territory. Glasgow showed habits of the previous game where they were wasteful and looked to be overplaying with senseless offloads.

There was a lot you could see that coach Smith wasn't delighted about and starting the second half he made numerous changes. The injection of Matt Fagerson and Gregor Brown likely made the decisive move in the game as the two Scotland players went about destroying Munster and gave Glasgow good forward ball.

Adam Hastings is yet to fire on his return to the pitch with two below-par performances. Duncan Weir ticks Glasgow on but with Tom Jordan moving down to the Premiership and no real noise that the Warriors are bringing in any external signings, will the 10 jersey be problematic?

In the end Glasgow took a big three-point win that continues to cement them within the top two of the URC and actually closed the gap slightly on league-leading Leinster.

Next up, the Lions come to Scotstoun. Expectations are high and no doubt some more Scotland squad players will drop into the squad for selection.

It's an important part of the season for the Warriors. The travelling South African side lost by three to Cardiff last weekend. They sit outside the top eight for now but we can see how close the current battle is from Cardiff in fifth all the way to Zebre in 15th.

The Warriors fans will expect a win and it's over to the players and the coaches to deliver.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

After describing her Scotland debut last weekend as "totally surreal", Adelle Ferrie says "there is nothing that could stop me now".

The 27-year-old came on as a late replacement as the Scots opened their Women's Six Nations account with a 24-21 victory over Wales at Hive Stadium.

A trip to play France on Saturday is next up for the national side.

Having now got one cap, the Corstorphine Cougars second row is determined to make sure many more come her way.

"[It was] just totally surreal," Ferrie said.

"A moment I have wanted for so long and you never know if it is actually going to happen, so it just felt unreal to be out there.

"I have worked so hard to get here, there is nothing I feel like could stop me now just to progress further. I take on everything, the coaches and players are feedbacking to me so there is no stopping me.

"I came to rugby quite late, I started playing when I was around 18 when I was at university so it is not like a dream I have had since I was a young girl.

"Just really in the last four or five years it is something I have aspired to do but I have had coaches say 'this could be possible' so I really tried my best, worked hard to get it, to get that moment.

"There were times I doubted myself, even just a few months ago I didn't think it was going to happen this year.

"After a few conversations with coaches it came alive that it might actually happen."

The men's Six Nations may be over, but there was still plenty rugby to stick our teeth into over the weekend.

As usual on a Monday, we're giving you the chance to put your burning questions about the game to our rugby reporters, Tom English and Andy Burke.

Whether it be on the women's Six Nations opening win against Wales, Warriors' late victory against Munster or Edinburgh's defeat to Benetton, we want to hear from you.

Send your questions via this link, external and they will be answered on this page later in the week.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Bench provides much-needed impetus

Glasgow started slowly against Munster on Friday night, and although they went into half-time only a point behind, the visitors had dominated possession and could have led by a greater margin were it not for two excellent Warriors tries.

Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson and Duncan Weir were all sent on for the second half by head coach Franco Smith, and the forward duo excelled as Glasgow wrestled the momentum their way.

Fagerson crashed his way over for the try that brought the hosts back into the contest and Brown got through an impressive amount of work in both attack and defence - the breakdown penalty he won in the final stages was celebrated like a try.

Horne moves to brink of history

Glasgow's best moment of the first half delivered a magnificent team try, finished off by scrum-half George Horne. It was his 54th in Glasgow colours, moving him level with DTH van der Merwe as the club's all-time record try scorer.

The try reflected all of Horne's best traits. He tracked the run made by Ollie Smith, showed sharp hands to link up with Stafford McDowall and then accelerated away from the final defenders to score.

Van der Merwe was in the stands to see Horne match his tally and it will only be a matter of time until the Scotland international stands alone at the top of the standings.

Glasgow show champion quality

Franco Smith spoke post-match about how it will take time for Glasgow to reintegrate players who have been away with Scotland.

They never reached top gear against Munster, but they did what top teams do and ground out a win without being at their best.

That too against Munster, who are no pushovers.

It would have been easy for Glasgow to panic and force matters when they trailed by four points with five minutes to play.

But they went through phases patiently, got their big ball-carriers into play and eventually wore Munster down, with Nathan McBeth crossing for the game's decisive try.

We asked for your views on Scotland women's Six Nations win over Wales, plus a URC victory for Glasgow against Munster and Edinburgh's defeat at Benetton.

Here's what some of you said:

Edinburgh

Graham: A sloppy display from Edinburgh. Ewan Ashman a nightmare at the lineout. Limited pack aggression and few lines breaks from the backs. Couldn't score from two feet said it all. Warriors second team is streets ahead of this lot.

Joe: I thought now that the Six Nations was over, we'd seen the end of the ridiculous refereeing against Scotland. Seems not though as the Edinburgh game had two TMO checks against Edinburgh but none for tackles made by Benetton and several forward passes that were ignored. Enough is enough. Time for SRU to call it out and hold officials to account.

Adam: Very disappointed with Edinburgh's display. Yet again we are playing a safe and unimaginative game. Set-piece, high kick, repeat. The lineouts were truly terrible. Our hookers need to learn to throw in or step aside. We did not deserve to win. Let's find another coach for Edinburgh please.

Rab: Deep in my heart I knew they would choke and loose. Typical of Edinburgh!

Glasgow's win

Geoff: Great win but not the best performance. The weakness at 10 must highlight the folly of losing Tom Jordan!

Keith: Good result against the odds.

Mark: Wow what a match, Glasgow had to dig deep, but it always feels nice to beat Munster, especially as I live in Ireland. It's a result that keeps us above the wacky races of the top eight in the URC. Well done boys.

Jim: Glasgow showed their winning mentality to get over the line in the end. It's difficult to have any sort of continuity with so many players missing. Glasgow should thank Gregor Townsend for not selecting Johnny Mathews or Nathan McBeth. The later really made a difference in the scrum as well as his try.

Scotland women's win

Stu: The bunker review system is in desperate need of clarifications. Two yellow cards is a full red card and cannot be replaced according to the laws but apparently if it's referred to the bunker for foul play, it becomes a 20-minute red? No wonder fans and players were confused when Wales were allowed to go back up to 15 players.

Will: Hopefully the Women's XV can be the first professional Scottish team to win in Paris. Scotland won during Covid with no pressure from fans in the cauldron of the Stade de France. Still waiting in my opinion.