Scottish Rugby

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Wes Goosen is backing Edinburgh to thrive as underdogs and says they take momentum and a "good vibe" into the URC play-offs.

Sean Everitt's side squeezed into the top eight with wins away to Connacht and at home to Ulster in their final two matches.

Now they face a trip to face Bulls in South Africa in the quarter-finals, but full-back Goosen believes his side's late-season form provides plenty of hope.

"I feel like we had a lot to prove and a lot to play for in the last three, four, five weeks, so the momentum's good and there's a good vibe in the camp," the full-back said.

"We've basically been playing finals rugby for the last six, seven weeks. And you get confidence and belief from that as a team, getting close and getting those victories.

"I think it's very dangerous in sport when a team's got a lot of confidence.

"I quite like to be seen as an underdog when people are overconfident, maybe, or just don't take us fully serious.

"But I think we know, as a team, we're getting better. And I think we can definitely compete with the best, we have been shown it."

Edinburgh's previous visit to Bulls ended in a 22-16 defeat last September but they defeated the South Africans 34-28 at home in the Challenge Cup quarter-final last month.

"It's going to be a big task, it's going to be physical, it's going to be tough in the altitude," Goosen said of the trip to Pretoria.

"But we played them here not too long ago and we really dominated the first half.

"If we can do that in their backyard, it's going to be a tough game for them. If we do what we do well, then we can win. We're just going to stay in it and give it our best."

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

Whether it's building up to the weekend's games, looking further ahead to the Lions tour or anything else Scottish rugby related, our team are ready.

Send your questions via this link and they'll be answered on this page later on in the week.

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Duhan van der Merwe "has a chance" of returning to action in Edinburgh's URC quarter-final away to Bulls on Saturday, says head coach Sean Everitt.

Scotland's record try-scorer has been sidelined since March after suffering ankle ligament damage, an injury that cast some doubt on whether he would be fit for involvement with the Lions this summer.

Van der Merwe, who had surgery in April, has flown with Edinburgh to his birth-country with a view to being included in the squad for Saturday's last-eight clash in South Africa.

"Duhan will be flying with the team," the head coach said.

"He's got one more training session to get through for his return to play but at the moment he's booked on the flight to Pretoria, and everyone that's on the flight has a chance of being involved in the match 23.

"We have to see how he responds to the flight, like everyone else, and obviously we've got another training session to get through.

"He has been in and out of training last week and he finished a full day of training today, which was a double session, and hopefully he gets through tomorrow.

"Part of his rehabilitation programme is to be ready to return to rugby from a fitness point of view, but it's just the fact that he hasn't been involved in many 15 v 15 sessions, so we're hoping that he can hit the ground running."

Despite his injury, Van der Merwe was selected in Andy Farrell's Lions squad earlier this month and Everitt said the 29-year-old wing is eager to get some game time under his belt for his club before he goes to Australia in the summer.

"I think it's one thing playing for the British and Irish Lions, and the second thing is that every performance that he puts in from now on will help in his selection in the Test team," Everitt added.

"That's the ultimate goal, playing Test rugby for the Lions against Australia. So, yes, he'll be keen to play, but we won't put him on the field if he's not ready."

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Pete Murchie is unfazed by Glasgow's patchy form heading into the URC play-offs because he recalls that they were not at their consistent best before winning the title last year.

The defending champions host Stormers in the quarter-final on Friday after losing four of their last five matches, and each of their last three.

However, defence coach Murchie was quick to point out Warriors lost two of their last three games of the regulation season a year ago before pulling it all together when it mattered most to defeat Stormers, Munster and Bulls and claim the championship.

"We're not in the business of losing games and being happy about it," he said. "But in the last game against Leinster (a 17-5 defeat) we looked a lot more like ourselves, based on the amount of young players we had playing and how we fronted up.

"It was definitely a step forward in terms of performance. Last year, I wouldn't say we were exactly humming in the three or four games before this period, so it is about putting our best quality performance out this weekend."

Glasgow's bid to make an impact in the play-offs has been aided by the return from injury of Lions' call-ups Scott Cummings, Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu in recent weeks.

Captain Tuipulotu, who played the first half against Leinster, "didn't look rusty at all" added Murchie.

"Obviously players who have got experience of having done it before, international players who have played on the bigger stage, he's obviously got massive leadership qualities for us," he said.

"He did pretty well in his 40 minutes against a tough opposition. He didn't look rusty at all, so it's big to have someone of his quality back available for these games."

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Scotland fly-half Finn Russell contributed 17 points with his boot as Bath clinched their first European title in 17 years with a 37-12 win over Lyon in the Challenge Cup final.

Russell kicked three penalties and four conversions for the English Premiership side at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

The French side opened the scoring with a try, but a Russell penalty set the ball rolling for a commanding victory for Bath, with the Scot also having the final say with the final three points.

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Edinburgh have completed the double signing of young players Charlie McCaig and Ben White.

Centre McCaig, 22, who qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, joins the senior squad on a two-year deal from Exeter Chiefs while 20-year-old loosehead White moves from Melrose to the pro academy on a 12-month contract.

McCaig made his Exeter debut this season in the Premiership Cup and has been on loan at English Championship side Cornish Pirates, scoring three tries in 19 appearances.

"Edinburgh has always felt like a home away from home, especially with my family living nearby in Fife," he said.

"After speaking with Sean [Everitt], it's clear that our rugby philosophies are closely aligned, which gives me real confidence in what I can offer the team."

White has been capped at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 level, helping the latter to World Rugby Trophy success last summer.

Head coach Sean Everitt said: "We are thrilled to welcome both Charlie and Ben to Edinburgh. Both players have had impressive journeys in rugby so far, demonstrating dedication and a real commitment to their development."

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

Craig asked: Is Sean Everitt the coach to take Edinburgh forward. I'm still very much in the no camp.

Tom answered: It's a harder question to answer now than it might have been a few months ago. Edinburgh made the semi-final of Europe and are now in the quarter-final of the URC, albeit having made very hard work of it.

On the face of it, that's okay. If they were to go to Pretoria and win then that's a landmark victory. I don't rule it out. Edinburgh have a lot more steel to them nowadays and their games with the Bulls tend to be close.

I don't think he's going anywhere in that scenario. I doubt he's going anywhere even if they lose, to be honest.

Everybody will have their own view on this but I think he deserves another season, just to see if the more resilient Edinburgh we're seeing now can start next term the way they're finishing this one.

Alistair asked: Do we chalk down Edinburgh's seventh place in the URC as a disappointment or what we should reasonably expect?

Tom answered: It's disappointing they came so close to exiting the competition, that's for sure.

Seventh is too hairy for a club with Edinburgh's potential. I don't think it's too much to expect them to be a lot closer to fourth (and a home quarter-final) than eighth.

Hopey asked: Are there any young players that might make it on to the summer tour? I take it as given that Freddie Douglas travels.

Tom answered: Yeah, plenty. Freddy Douglas definitely travels. I'd be taking a serious look at Seb Stephen, Mackenzie Duncan, Jare Oguntibeju, Gregor Hiddleston, Alex Samuel, Duncan Munn, Patrick Harrison, Harry Paterson, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and others. This is the tour for it - part experience, part development.

Ethan asked: What a debut for Seb Stephen, going to the Aviva holding his own against a current and former Lion! Could Stephen have played himself into the matchday 23 for Glasgow's quarter-final?

Tom answered: I suspect Franco Smith will go with his experienced hookers, but I might be wrong.

Stephen's outstanding performance against the best team in the league will give him plenty to think about, though. He nailed his throws and had a real physicality and intensity to him.

I was kinda gobsmacked, to be honest. He was up against Dan Sheehan, arguably the best hooker in the world. He was throwing against RG Snyman and James Ryan in the Leinster lineout - a World Cup winner and a 2025 Lion. For a 19-year-old, it was as good a debut as I've seen.

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Scotland back-row Matt Fagerson is vowing "to keep pushing and keep developing" after signing a contract extension that will keep the 26-year-old at Glasgow Warriors for another three years.

Fagerson has been with the Scotstoun club since 2016 and made his international debut in 2018.

He has scored 24 tries in 126 appearances for Glasgow and his tally of Scotland caps now stands at 55.

"I really want to push myself and win more trophies, not only with Glasgow but for Scotland as well," Fagerson told the Warriors' website., external "I know I've got more to give and more levels I want to reach in my own game.

"I came in here with a lot of ambition but possibly lacking in physical ability or rugby smarts, and this club has shaped me into the person and player I am today.

"I'm nowhere near the finished article, though – I want to keep pushing on and keep developing in all aspects of my game.

"The [United Rugby Championship] title win in Pretoria last season is obviously right up at the top in terms of highlights from my time here so far – the manner in which we did it and the group that we did it with was something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Head Coach Franco Smith added: "Matt's pride at representing this club shines through in each of his performances.

"His ability to play across the back-row is a valuable asset to our squad, whilst his ball-carrying ability allows him to provide a true point of difference whenever he is on the field.

"He is a role model to our young Scottish forwards coming through our academy system, and we look forward to working closely with him over the next few years."

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Glasgow Warriors will kick off the 2025-26 URC season at home to South African side Sharks on Friday 26 September, while Edinburgh open with a trip to face Zebre in Parma the following day.

Edinburgh's first home game comes in week two against Ulster as Glasgow head to Treviso to tackle Benetton.

The 1872 Cup derby between the Scottish sides is to be staged at Hampden Park and Murrayfield on 20 and 27 December respectively.

Three of Glasgow's final four fixtures are on the road, with a South Africa double-header against Lions and Stormers followed by Cardiff at Scotstoun and Ulster away.

Edinburgh's South Africa trip comes in March before they end the campaign with home games against Zebre and Sharks, a trip to face Dragons and Connacht at the Hive.

The competition format remains unchanged, with the top eight progressing to the play-offs, which start on 29 May. The semi-finals take place on 6 June and the final is on 20 June.

Glasgow's 2025-26 fixtures: Sharks (H) 26 Sept; Benetton (A) 4 Oct; Dragons (H) 11 Oct; Opspreys (A) 18 Oct; Bulls (H) 24 Oct; Scarlets (A) 29 Nov; Edinburgh (H) 20 Dec; Edinburgh (A) 27 December; Zebre (H) 3 Jan; Zebre (A) 24 Jan; Munster (H) 30 Jan; Connacht (A) 28 Feb; Leinster (H) 21 Mar; Benetton (H) 27 Mar; Lions (A) 18 Apr; Stormers (A) 25 Apr; Cardiff (H) 8 May; Ulster (A) 15 May.

Edinburgh's 2025-26 fixtures: Zebre (A) 27 Sept; Ulster (H) 3 Oct; Munster (A) 10 Oct; Benetton (H) 17 Oct; Cardiff (A) 25 Oct; Ospreys (H) 29 Nov; Glasgow (A) 20 Dec; Glasgow (H) 27 Dec; Benetton (A) 3 Jan; Bulls (H) 23 Jan; Leinster (A) 31 Jan; Scarlets (H) 27 Feb; Lions (A) 21 Mar; Stormers (A) 28 Mar; Zebre (H) 17 Apr; Sharks (H) 24 Apr; Dragons (A) 9 May; Connacht (H) 15 May.

Hollie Davidson - who will make history on Friday as the first woman to referee a European final - joins the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast this week to discuss her rise from crushed dreams of playing to becoming a top referee.

There's also a look back at the weekend URC action as Edinburgh secured a play-off spot and Glasgow went down to a battling defeat at Leinster.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

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Melbourne-born Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is relishing the pressure of proving his international allegiance for the British and Irish Lions.

Amid ongoing debate about the selection of foreign-born players, the Glasgow centre is set to line up against his native Australia during this summer's Lions tour.

Tuipulotu, who made his Scotland debut in 2021, is among seven members of Andy Farrell's 38-man Lions squad who hail from overseas.

While five of those players are eligible for their adopted nations purely on residency rules, Tuipulotu qualified through ancestry.

The 28-year-old's Greenock-born grandmother was at Murrayfield last autumn to see him score a try while leading Scotland to a 27-13 defeat of the Wallabies.

"I put so much on myself that I really wanted to be a Lion because I know how much it means to people over here," said Tuipulotu, who initially feared his tour participation may be ruined by injury.

"I had gone all in with the stuff with Scotland and I just felt what better way to prove my allegiance to Scotland than go all in and try and make the Lions. That's why it meant so much to me.

"Genuinely early days you have that feeling of 'Am I part of this?'. I always feel like talking about it is one thing but showing people how much it means to you in how you play (is another).

"When my gran came over before the Australia game, it allowed the public to put a face to the story and listen to my grandma and how much it meant to her. I think that gave eyes to the public that my story was authentic.

"I'm all in and I'm looking forward to showing how committed I am to playing for the Lions."

Tuipulotu is raring to go after returning from four months out with a pectoral issue during Glasgow's 13-5 defeat to Leinster on Saturday.

"I've been nothing but embraced by the Scottish public ever since I started playing for Scotland," said Tuipulotu, who has 30 caps.

"There's always going to be a couple of people (who criticise), like there are for some of the Irish boys, but I take that in my stride because I don't blame those people either.

"I didn't grow up dreaming of playing for Scotland or the Lions, that's the truth.

"But this is where my path has led me and I'm all in for this Lions team and for Scotland and for Glasgow, and I genuinely feel like this is where I'm supposed to be."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

A wee while back I welcomed you all to the inaugural meeting of the Wes Goosen Appreciation Society. If you didn't attend it might just have been because you were at the regular weekly meeting of the 'We love Darcy Graham' forum.

This week's gathering was at the Hive when Graham became only the second player in Edinburgh's professional history to score a trio of hat-tricks.

He has plenty of time to top the list as the player he is tied with is the retired Tim Visser. Graham is already the only player to have scored four tries in a match for Edinburgh.

He did something else for the first time too as he got his first yellow card in Edinburgh colours. This is a bit of a surprise as he literally and figuratively plays on the edge.

Graham's first Edinburgh try came on his debut, against London Irish in December 2017 in the Challenge Cup. I was there and remember the try like it was yesterday as it still typifies his playing style.

Edinburgh were attacking down the left and Phil Burleigh knocked through a grubber. It took a wicked bounce into the air just before the try line over the head of the Irish defender. Graham leapt like a salmon and caught the ball before diving over the defender to score in the corner.

We were winning 31-10 at the time. There was no requirement for him to put himself in such danger but I don't think it even crossed his mind. His focus was laser like.

Richard Cockerill, prior to the match when asked about giving his debut to the former sevens man, said he "doesn't back away from any contest" and that "I think there's a big future for him".

Cockers got that spot on. He seemed to have an eye for a winger!

Graham was my player of the match against Ulster last weekend although there were several candidates in what was an outstanding display by Edinburgh.

Our biggest win against Ulster in terms of tries scored, margin and points total. More importantly the victory came at a moment when it was basically boom or bust for our top-eight hopes and when faced with that scenario last season against Benetton we folded like a cheap suit. That in itself is progress.

A tougher test awaits away to Bulls in the play-offs but we have earned the right to take it.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Grant Young
Fan writer

The Sione Tuipulotu effect is real.

The Warriors have been disappointing of late, struggling to reach the levels of expectation, but Tuipulotu showed his worth on his return from a four-month injury absence.

In his 40 minutes on the field against Leinster in Dublin he proved why not only he is integral to Glasgow and Scotland but will be a key piece in the British and Irish Lions team this summer.

His individual class created one of the few moments of the first half Glasgow had. He offers so much, causes confusion for opponents, brings confidence to his team-mates and direction in attack.

Both sides of course had already clinched a top-four spot but it felt like they were there to leave a mark.

While the result did not go much-changed Warriors' way, the manner of defeat is weirdly one to be confident about. Seb Stephen, 19, at hooker put in a tremendous shift and is definitely one to be excited about for the future.

A two-week break may now allow some players to return from injury before the home knockout game against the Stormers.

The South African side finished fifth and were beaten on their own patch earlier in the season when Tuipulotu ran the show.

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

Whether it's reflecting on Edinburgh's win over Ulster, Glasgow's defeat to Leinster, or anything else Scottish rugby related, our team are ready.

Send your questions via this link and they'll be answered on this page later on in the week.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Sione's back - and sharp

Sione Tuipulotu made his return having not played since the second week of January. He looked good, one chip and gather was the feature of the 40 minutes he played.

For a first game in so many months Tuipulotu's involvement was really encouraging for Glasgow and the Lions.

Glasgow desperately need him to get that backline flying again.

Attack a concern

Given one of their great strengths is the power, pace and variety of their attack, Glasgow's cutting edge has gone rather blunt.

In their past four games they've scored zero points (Leinster away, Champions Cup), seven points (Benetton away, URC), 19 points (with the game already lost against the Bulls at home, URC) and five points (Leinster away, URC on Saturday night).

They've gone huge chunks of games without registering a score. The renewal of Tuipulotu's partnership with Huw Jones should help, but Glasgow are still nowhere near themselves.

They stood up well on Saturday night, in fairness. There was no suggestion of another rout in Dublin.

Stormers next...

Glasgow have had the Stormers' number in recent years, winning the past four against them, most notably the quarter-final in their URC winning season. They also beat them away from home this season and got a bonus point to boot.

Injuries still blight the Warriors, but one man's frustration is another man's opportunity.

Seb Stephen, the 19-year-old Aberdonian, made his debut at hooker in Dublin and was really combative against one of the best teams in Europe. It was a terrific debut in the most testing of places.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Watson is force again

Save for a few worrying moments when Ulster came back at them, Edinburgh put in a meaty performance and conjured one of their best wins of the season.

They were physical, creative and pretty ruthless. They stormed into the last eight and have momentum now. Their pack is firing, their backline is delivering tries, there's a fire about them that's lovely to see.

A few folk typify it - Magnus Bradbury, Ben Muncaster, Jamie Ritchie and, most especially, Hamish Watson, who's been wildly impressive.

He's turning back the clock. Gregor Townsend might be watching...

Bulls a different challenge

The South Africans are on an excellent run, but games against Edinburgh are usually close.

The home team has won every one of them, but the margins have been narrow - 34-28 Edinburgh, 22-16 Bulls, 31-23 Edinburgh, 33-31 Bulls.

The most recent meeting was only a few short weeks ago when Edinburgh beat them at the Hive in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup.

They know they can do it at home, but doing it in Pretoria is a different level. They'll travel with belief, though.

Edinburgh have found some steel in recent months. If they can stand up to the Sharks (and should have beaten them) then they can do the same against the Bulls.

Graham answers Lions snub

The winger was a buzz bomb against Ulster; so alert, so sharp, so influential, so ruthless.

Three tries and yet more confirmation that even though he has somehow missed out on the Lions, he remains one of the most exciting wings in the world.

He's now on 15 tries in his 25 games this season following on eight in 10 last season and 16 in 14 the season before. That's 39 tries in his last 49 games for club and country.

Andy Farrell has got this one wrong.

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Scotland's 2026 Six Nations fixtures will start with a trip to Italy and end with a visit to Ireland.

Those matches bookend a home match with rivals England and an away game at Wales before they welcome France.

• Italy v Scotland - Saturday, 7 February

• Scotland v England - Saturday, 14 February

• Wales v Scotland - Saturday, 21 February

• Scotland v France - Saturday, 7 March

• Ireland v Scotland - Saturday, 14 March

Read more on the 2026 Six Nations schedule

We asked for your views as Glasgow Warriors lost to Leinster and Edinburgh defeated Ulster.

Here's what some of you said:

Leinster 13-5 Glasgow Warriors

David: Pleased to see the effort that Glasgow put in against Leinster, and the result could have been much closer had it not been for the extraordinary decisions by Ben Whitehouse. How can anyone knock the ball on with their back to the pitch and how can you have shoulder to shoulder contact when two players are six inches apart? The quality of referees in the URC is really terrible.

Ben: This time last year Glasgow finished fourth after an underwhelming season, and went on to have an incredible three weeks! Hope more than expectation is driving me this time round. A win against the Stormers and a performance against Leinster should be the bare minimum.

Matthew: Glasgow are a team that have shown over the previous two seasons to contain real class, which is why the abysmal performances of the last few weeks have been so disappointing. However this week, despite losing, they showed a lot more of what made them defending champions particularly in defence. Sione Tuipolotu was excellent on his return, and Seb Stephen was brilliant playing his first game in one of club rugby's toughest venues, and Macenzzie Duncan was also very physical and abrasive against a stacked Leinster backrow which gives good promise for Glasgow not only going into the knockouts, but also for future seasons

Ali: Much better from the Warriors. The aggression from the off was great to see particularly when you consider the age profile of the forwards. I thought Seb Stephen showed up brilliantly, as did Macenzzie Duncan. The future can be bright for Glasgow and Scottish rugby.

Edinburgh 47-17 Ulster

Matthew: With the quality of players available to Edinburgh, there should be much higher expectations then sneaking into the top eight in the final game. However given the horrific performance of previous seasons, there is a least finally a sign of improvement and a Champions Cup place next season is a just reward for it.

Neil: Beating the Bulls away from home is a huge task, but Edinburgh have improved greatly over the past half a dozen games. Their defence and their physicality will be strongly tested but I think they will at least compete. Glasgow looked something like their old selves against Leinster, and playing at Scotstoun, with some of their big players like Sione coming back to fitness, should ensure that the Warriors have just a little too much for the Stormers.

Stuart: Best performance of the season and best atmosphere yet at the Hive. Darcy Graham is a class act and should be in the Lions squad.

Andy: Edinburgh finally putting run of decent performances up but away to Bulls will be incredibly difficult. Still, it's sport and if they can get their strongest 15 out on pitch and get off to a good start, you never know. Getting into Champions Cup, after the start of season disappointments, says something about the mentality of the team.