Scottish Rugby

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Glasgow Warriors fly-half Duncan Weir says playing for his boyhood team is a “big burden” but “one that you cherish”.

Weir worked his way up from Glasgow's minis and Under-16 ranks to earn a professional contract and make his professional debut at age 19.

Now in his second spell with the club, Glasgow stalwart Weir said: “It was a surreal experience [playing for Glasgow] after being a fan for so long and going to games and watching.

“From a kid playing at half-time, then going up the age grade ranks. It’s a pretty special feeling.

“That burden maybe weighed you down at times, as you can probably imagine, but it also gives you so much inspiration and it’s a special feeling as well.

“It was also a huge learning curve for me. When you first come in you’re kind of naive to a lot of things. You just went out and played the game.

"You wanted to make sure you have done yourself proud but you also had a wee chip on your shoulder because you wanted to ‘earn your stripes’ and make sure you can make the cut at that level.

“Once you’re established then you kind of lose that but it’s now come full circle and I’ve kind of tapped into that after being at Worcester. You kind of feel like you have to get that respect back from the Glaswegians again.”

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Scotland playmaker Finn Russell starts for Bath against Newcastle on Friday after a "significant groin injury" sidelined him for five weeks.

The 31-year-old sustained the injury during Bath's Champions Cup defeat by Exeter on 6 April.

Russell's Scotland team-mate Cameron Redpath will also start in the centre for the first time since recovering from an ankle ligament injury.

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Head coach Sean Everitt is calling for Edinburgh to be "accurate in all departments" as they look to avoid a shock against Zebre and maintain their play-off push.

Edinburgh currently sit ninth in the race for a top-eight finish, but are just a point adrift of three teams, with three rounds of fixtures remaining.

“Our destiny is still in our own hands," said Everitt, whose side missed out on a bonus point with a 24-7 win at Cardiff in their previous outing.

"We need to move on and make sure that we put in a good performance on Friday.

"What we need to do is focus on us, and make sure that we’re accurate in all departments whether it be in defence or attack."

Zebre prop up the URC standings but Everitt is taking nothing for granted.

"We know what they’re going to bring - the Italians are always emotional, and regardless of where they play, what they play and who they play against, they’re always difficult opposition," he said.

"I think it comes down to soft moments. They don’t give you much on how they attack. They use their maul effectively to play from, and generally they’re quite conservative, and they defend really well and they’re aggressive off the line. So they force you into making mistakes.

“They’ve had some really tight results, especially at home, and certainly their results away have been improving.”

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Emiliano Boffelli drops out through injury as Edinburgh make two changes for the crucial URC home game with Zebre on Friday night.

The Argentina international has suffered a recurrence of his back injury and his absence means Matt Currie shifts to the wing, with Mark Bennett coming in at outside centre.

Viliame Mata starts ahead of Luke Crosbie at the back of the scrum.

With three games remaining, Edinburgh are currently a point outside the play-off spots.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Currie, Bennett, Lang, van der Merwe, Healy, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Nel, Skinner, Gilchrist (C), Ritchie, Watson, Mata

Replacements: Cherry, Venter, Sebastian, Sykes, Crosbie, Vellacott, Scott, Dean.

Grant Young
Glasgow Warriors fan columnist

It's finally here. A trip to South Africa and the most gruelling and demanding two weeks of the season.

By 19 May we will know what is at stake and what will be needed in the final week of the season to finish as near to the top of the URC as possible.

As the team fly out there is a few things we know for certain. South African teams are immense at home, they play fast and attacking rugby and they hit hard.

The destiny of the season is loosely in the hands of the Warriors. Big performing players were rested last time out and you’d expect Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge to come back into the pack.

One thing I think helps us against these sides is how comfortable several of our players are under the high ball.

Kyle Steyn, Josh McKay and even Kyle Rowe take the ball incredibly well under pressure.

It's not make or break, but how incredible would it be to have Glasgow finishing top of the standings? If they are to do so, they need to come through these two weeks unscathed.

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Scotland prop Murphy Walker has signed a new deal with Glasgow Warriors, despite being plagued with injuries in recent times.

The 24-year-old has made just 11 appearances for the club having made his debut in October 2021, and has also made three appearances for his country.

Speaking about his new contract - the length of which is undisclosed - Walker said: “It was an easy decision, really.

“It’s been a strange couple of years, as it’s been so long since I’ve played a professional game for the club because of injury lay-offs and so on, but at the same time I’ve played for Scotland last summer and been involved with the A team.

“The overriding emotion for me when it comes to the last two years has probably been frustration to be honest, just because of the run of injuries and when they’ve come about, so when it came to it, renewing was such a straightforward decision.

"I want to put my best foot forward, and show everyone what I can do and what I’ve been working on.

“I just want to get back to playing rugby and playing well, and giving everything for this club. I can’t wait to be back out there.”

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Despite Edinburgh's make-or-break fate over the next three weeks, it's been a bountiful breakthrough season for Matt Currie who has cemented his place in Sean Everitt's first-choice XV.

"I've really enjoyed it," the 23-year-old centre said. "It's the first time in a wee while that I've had a consistent rugby and a run of games.

"For my development as a player, it's been massive, I'm playing in a team that's stacked with internationals. It's been unbelievable and I've really enjoyed the season from a personal perspective."

Currie aims to crown the campaign with a Scotland debut. He picked up his one and only Scotland 'A' cap in the summer of 2022 when the national side played Chile before touring Argentina. Currie started that match before jetting home when the Test matches began.

"The tour to Chile and Argentina was really cool and as a youngster it was an unbelievable experience. Again, it's a different group of players - it's the best in the country - so it's just more people to learn from," he added.

"It's something that I hugely enjoyed and if the opportunity came again I'd relish it. I'd love it because the end goal is to get a cap for Scotland so it would be awesome if the opportunity arose."

Magnus Bradbury has explained his decision to move back to Edinburgh was "easy" as the club made him feel wanted.

The number eight left the Scottish capital in 2022 to join Bristol Bears, where he has excelled in the English Premiership, but will return in the summer.

"I had a good couple of conversations with Edinburgh - what they wanted to bring me back for, why they wanted to bring me back and how badly they wanted to bring me back," Bradbury told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"It meant a lot to me to be told by a club that we want you back for these reasons. We want you to come back to do X, Y and Z. They effectively made it happen.

"It's an easy decision for me to go back to home, to a club I know really well, lots of friends there. I go back to the city where I can build my life. I've absolutely loved my time down here but it seems like the right time for me, definitely."

The 28-year-old, who was recalled to the Scotland squad during the recent Six Nations after missing out on World Cup selection, also sees a bright future for Edinburgh.

"Edinburgh, with the way they've been playing the past couple of years, have been unlucky to not push for at least a semi-final," he said.

"The recruitment has been done and the younger guys have been there when I was there, they're coming through.

"You've got [Luke] Crosbie as a bolt-on starter now, you've got Connor Boyle coming through, [Ben] Muncaster, obviously Bill [Mata] is leaving but then you've still got Hamish [Watson] and [Grant] Gilchrist and [Pierre] Schoeman and all those boys that are hugely experienced.

"The boys that are there now, the boys that have been brought in as well, only want success at the club. That's exciting for me. Everyone there should be pulling in the right direction now."

Listen to the full interview with Edinburgh-bound Bradbury on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow are "building something really special", says Scotland star Matt Fagerson, ahead of their two-week trip to South Africa.

The back-rower was just 20 when he started the Pro14 grand final in 2019, and he is one of five who remain from that group that lost narrowly to Leinster at Celtic Park.

"We had a lot of boys after that 2019 final who moved on to pastures new," Fagerson reflected. "The great thing is we've got a group that's been together for a couple of years now.

"We've been through tough times. Last year in the Challenge Cup final we didn't really fire a shot. That was an incredibly disappointing point for this group.

"But we've banded together, we've been here for another year or two and it feels like we're building something really special here. There's so many people from various cultures all coming together to build those relationships."

The Warriors, who face Bulls on Saturday and Lions next weekend, have put themselves in pole position for a home quarter-final and, potentially, a semi-final if they can keep their perch on top of the URC.

"Home advantage plays a massive role," Fagerson said. "Not only do you get to play in front of your friends and family, but you wake up in your own bed, you come in and have Scotstoun rocking.

"It's somewhere we absolutely love to play and the fans are incredible here. To have ourselves in a position where we could have a home quarter-final or a home semi-final, whatever it may be, it's a pretty cool opportunity."

The big news in Scottish rugby this week is the arrival of Mosese Tuipulotu to Edinburgh, where he might face off against brother Sione next season in the 1872 Cup derby.

"It's something I'd love to do!" Matt said of hypothetically playing his own brother and current Glasgow team-mate, Zander.

"Maybe not if he was an Edinburgh Gunner, though. That'll probably sweeten the family meals when [Sione and Mosese] go back home.

"Look what happened to Sione when he came over. He developed so much as a player, put his heart and soul into the club and the country. He's had a great two or three years off of it. I'm sure Mosese will do the same."

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Glasgow Warriors prop Enrique Pieretto has left with immediate effect to join an unnamed foreign club on loan.

The 29-year-old Argentine joined Glasgow in 2020 following a short spell with Exeter and has made 33 appearances to date.

In a statement, the club said: "Glasgow Warriors would like to thank Pieretto for his contribution over the last four seasons, and wish him and his family all the very best for what comes next."

Andy Burke and Tom English are joined on the latest instalment of the BBC Scotland rugby podcast by Magnus Bradbury, who discusses the lessons he’s learned during his career and how he’s targeting more Scotland caps ahead of rejoining Edinburgh next season.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Edinburgh have come to a "tipping point" between a good season and an average one, according to Pierre Schoeman.

The capital club sit ninth in the URC, one spot outside the play-off berths - but just two points behind fifth-placed Bulls - with three games remaining.

"This is almost the tipping point of having a good season versus having a season with a good few wins here and there," said prop Schoeman as his side prepare for Friday night's visit of Zebre.

"We've missed out on a few bonus points, but everything is still to play for.

"All the players are quality in this side and have loads of experience. We have to use this pressure and get the win first of all, and then the five points, and make it a massively successful season."

On paper, the game against bottom club Zebre is the easiest of Edinburgh's remaining fixtures.

"It feels like competitiveness is at an all-time high in the URC," Schoeman added. "That's why we respect [Zebre], they're going to come here with an attitude, with confidence, but you have to match fire with fire especially at home and go for that bonus-point win - while respecting them as well."

With Scotland's summer tour to the Americas drawing closer, Schoeman is keen to put his hand up for selection.

Often, these tours are used to blood youth - although Schoeman is actually Scotland's youngest loosehead, despite turning 30 on Tuesday.

Asked if he fancied a rest this summer, he replied: "No, they actually look after us quite nicely. We get rest here and there, and you can focus on your club rugby games.

"I'm not thinking too far ahead because it's really important to get the win for the club first - otherwise you can forget about being good enough for the Test camps."

Sandy Smith
Edinburgh fan columnist

A win this weekend won't secure a play-off place for Edinburgh, not even a bonus-point win will. A loss, however, would undoubtedly mean our season is over.

We are therefore under a bit of pressure and may learn quite a bit about this team and the direction it's heading in as a result.

Confidence should be high. We have a few wins under our belt of late and our record against Zebre is a good one. We've not lost to them since 2018 and have a 76% win rate against them to crow about.

Zebre are also bottom of the league with only one victory all season.

But, win, lose, or draw, Zebre have managed to keep the score in half of their games within a seven-point margin. And despite having conceded 94 points in their last two outings they will be targeting this game as a possible win in the same way that Italy do with matches against Scotland.

Why? Because if pressure is applied there is a chance we will panic, give away penalties and then self-destruct. We've all seen it. Zebre will also remember that for 67 minutes of our last game they were in the lead and will feel that little has changed since February.

How do we combat that belief? Firstly we need to adhere to a good Scots saying and ‘keep the heid’. We also need to continue the excellent discipline we showed against Cardiff and Scarlets and we need to take our chances when they come but not force it.

It’s a common refrain that Edinburgh are underachievers. Maybe it’s more that we have an inflated sense of our worth.

If we want to begin to knock either of those assertions aside, this is a must win.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch, external

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Scot Hollie Davidson will make history this summer as the first woman to referee a Test match involving men's world champions South Africa.

Davidson will officiate the Springboks' first-ever meeting with Portugal on 20 July in Bloemfontein.

It's another milestone for Davidson who this year became the first female to be part of the officiating team in a men's Six Nations match when she was an assistant referee for England against Wales at Twickenham.

In 2022 she became the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations team when Italy played Portugal.

Davidson will be joined in South Africa by fellow Scottish officials Mike Adamson and Andrew McMenemey as an assistant referee and TMO respectively.

Davidson said: “To referee the world champions in their home stadium will be a massive occasion for not only myself but all the refereeing team and it’s something to look forward to."

Andrew Macpherson, Scottish Rugby’s high performance match official manager, hailed Davidson as a "trailblazer for not just women’s refereeing but refereeing as a whole in Scotland".

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jamie Dobie believes Glasgow have "developed" their away form this season as they prepare for a double-header in South Africa.

The Warriors have lost three of seven fixtures on the road so far. Last season, they lost five in total and the year before that, seven.

"We've developed our game away from home a lot this season," Dobie said. "There were points in the last few years when we struggled to get many results away from home.

"If we do need to travel for any play-off matches, we can still be confident with our game. The aim is to finish at the top and to have the potential of a home run-in, if we can stay performing well and winning those play-off matches as well."

Glasgow haven't won in South Africa since beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in 2018 - but Dobie insists his side are not thinking about that.

"It's definitely doable," the scrum-half said. "We've seen teams go out there and perform. Munster have gone and got two wins on their trip and they've obviously had a lot of success out there.

"The past and our previous results aren't influencing much about how we feel about this trip. We know how important the matches are and how big getting wins out there would be for us. If you're looking too much at the past results, it could play in your head a bit, but that's not in our mindset at all."

Dobie also admitted it was time for one of Glasgow's international scrum-halves to move on, weeks after it was announced Ali Price had played his last game for the Warriors.

"At some point, with the group that we had, it probably didn't make sense for us all to be in Glasgow any more," he said. "It just so happens that Ali made the decision to go to Edinburgh.

"It means I've got a bit more time on the pitch to play in these big matches, which is what I need for my development."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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They may sit top of the URC tree, but Glasgow assistant coach Pete Murchie thinks a Warriors win in South Africa would still be "a big statement."

The Scotstoun side travel to the Southern Hemisphere on Tuesday for a double header against the Bulls and the Lions, having not won on South African soil since 2018 - back in the Pro14 days.

"It would be a big statement for this group," Murchie said. "It's our aim going out there. We know we need to perform really well to be able to get that result, but it would show where we are as a group.

"Momentum is really important at this time of year. It's a massive opportunity for us. That's what we have to see it as - a big challenge, but a massive opportunity. If we get it right, then it can help us in what we want to do this year."

Glasgow are still on course for two home fixtures in the URC play-offs, currently sitting in first with three games to go.

"It'd be a big boost," Murchie said of a home tie in the quarters and potentially the semis.

"We're looking to win every game we play. If we do that, we're in a good spot and we get that home advantage and we'll be able to get the crowds massively behind us.

However, they need to do what only a few teams have done this season - go to South Africa and win.

"It's a massive physical challenge when you play these teams. They're all big men and, whether you play them here or whether you play them away, that's a common theme with all the South African teams.

"We're going to have to fight really hard for 80 minutes. Teams that have gone over there and achieved something have all had to dig in and work really hard for the full 80 minutes. We know they can score very quickly on transition."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Signing Mosese Tuipulotu "just makes sense", according to Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt.

The capital club have secured the 23-year-old centre - brother of Scotland star Sione - on a two-year deal starting this summer, just a year after he rejected the advances of Glasgow Warriors.

"It was just coincidence really," Everitt said of Glasgow's interest in the younger Tuipulotu.

"Mosese had made a decision that he was going to continue his rugby in Australia. Clearly he's had a change of mind, and therefore he became an option for us and a very good option.

"A guy like Mosese, who has got a future in Scottish rugby, it just makes sense that we sign him."

The head coach also confirmed that Edinburgh were actively looking to strengthen their pool of centres.

"If you look at the numbers that we have within the club, we don't have another centre of that age.

"Chris Dean and Mark Bennett, they're just past 30. I wouldn't say they're coming to the end of their careers but we need to plan ahead and try to build within the club.

"We've got Matt Currie, who's done incredibly well for us this season, been consistent, whether it be at 12, 13 or 14."

However, Everitt insists Tuipulotu will not be an automatic starter when he arrives from New South Wales.

"Mosese is not going to walk into the team here. We've got to see how he goes, how he fits in.

"We've still got the really good centres within our club - they're not going to give up their places that easily, because they're serious competitors."

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Edinburgh have announced the signing of Waratahs centre Mosese Tuipulotu - the younger brother of Scotland star Sione - on a two-year deal, subject to visa and medical clearance.

Equally capable at either inside or outside centre, the 23-year-old turned down a move to Glasgow last year after talks with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

However, he appears to have now turned his back on wearing the green and gold of Australia, and will move to the Scottish capital this summer.

First named in the Waratahs squad in 2022, he has made just seven appearances for the New South Wales side over the last two Super Rugby seasons.

“I’m really excited to make the move over to Edinburgh in the coming months," Tuipulotu told Edinburgh's website. "I’m itching to get over there and experience something different to what I’ve grown up with.

“I’ve been speaking to my brother [Sione] quite a bit and there’s a few boys in Sydney that have been over to Edinburgh. I’ve watched a few games from the URC and it’s an exciting competition so I’m really keen to get amongst it.

“I’ve actually never played against my brother and the derby between Edinburgh and Glasgow looks like a pretty cool fixture to be a part of.

“If I do happen to get the opportunity to play in it, I’m sure it’ll be a special moment with Sione on the other side. I’ll look to expose him."

No European semis for Glasgow, so we asked you Warriors fans who Franco Smith needs to sign in the summer.

Here's what you had to say:

Paul: The pack is still a little under-powered against the big beasts of the URC. A monstrous second-row or enforcer would help. However, some of the youngsters breaking through this term look like they could possibly go on to fill that role.

Ian: Perhaps slightly more depth in midfield and possibly a quality replacement for George Turner, should he leave.

GreyDBees: Glasgow need more props, or at least they need their current crop to mature. We’re in good shape in the second and back row, we just need to keep the conveyor belt going.

Jock: Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are lacking a forward who is nasty and a real pain in the bum to play against. Whenever Scotland have been successful in the past they have had a forward like John Jeffrey who had very sharp elbows and was absolutely ruthless. Having somebody like that in your pack is a catalyst for positivity in the whole team.

Tom: Warriors need a back row than can win turnovers against the top teams, and a forwards coach who can teach them how to keep the ball for multiple phases against the top teams and, finally, advice on keeping refs onside.

Ali: Really pleased with the signing of Adam Hastings for next year at Glasgow, but I think another wide player would be useful. Every team benefits from a great big lump in the second row and Glasgow are no different so an addition here would be good, though Max Williamson has performed brilliantly this year.

With a week off for Scottish rugby due to the European semis, we asked Edinburgh fans were they need to strengthen over the summer.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Michael: Edinburgh need to strengthen in the centre area, a more physical and ball-carrying 12. Ideally need an enforcer in the pack - Magnus Bradbury may bring that edge as Bill Mata is departing but ideally a second row with a bit of a snarl. Need to be giving younger wingers an opportunity in games to strengthen the options.

Simon: Edinburgh need to strengthen the 10/12 area. We need to find a way to get our outside backs in the game more. Ben Healy needs competition at 10 and a ball-playing 12/13 to help as a second-receiver. Blair Kinghorn used to do that job well.

Derek: Edinburgh need some quality in the backs. There are good players there, but they function as individuals and rarely look connected. Priority is to get a couple centres who can carry the attack.

Steven: WP Nel and Mata will be greatly missed next season but Edinburgh have already filled these spots with experience in Paul Hill and Bradbury. Where Edinburgh have been lacking is in the centre - we've offered very little penetration in attack since Matt Scott left back in 2020.

Doghawk: Edinburgh need better centres. We have phenomenal back-three options but they just don't get the ball often enough. Someone like Cameron Redpath, a playmaker at inside centre, would be a huge boost.

Ian: Edinburgh could sign peak Ma'a Nonu and still not have a recognisable attack.

Peter: Edinburgh need to recruit some quality in the centres. No point having a back-three that is arguably the best in Europe if we can't get the ball to them in space. A centre that can carry but offer some guile and creativity would be very useful.