Scottish Rugby

Image source, SNS

An emotional Grant Gilchrist reacted to Edinburgh's dismal 31-6 defeat to Benetton on Saturday, which ended their URC play-off hopes.

Here's what the Scotland lock had to say...

On what went wrong: "We made too many errors. We gave them turnovers. We knew they had dangerous players in the backline and we couldn’t give them transitions and that’s what we gave them. So it was inaccuracy. I thought the effort was there, you could see how hard we were fighting through that first 50 to 60 minutes.

"I lost count of the number of entries in our 22 where we defended brilliantly, we scrapped for everything. But if you keep making errors and you keep letting these teams have shots at you, eventually the ball will bounce for them and it bounced for them three or four times in that back 20."

On the final-quarter collapse: "We needed to be able to get some territory and possession in their half and we weren’t able to do that because we kept making mistakes around the halfway line.

"Across the course of their tries, I don’t know how many are off first phase of a turnover, most of them I would suggest. Certainly three or four are first phase, where we made a mistake and they got through. It’s in our control but we have to be more accurate."

On how he assesses the season: "We set goals at the start of the season and we set a goal to be in the top eight and we’re not there. We have to take that on the chin as a failure. There have definitely been good foundations put in place.

"We’ve shown over the course of this year we’re more than capable of being a top-eight team, but we weren’t able to do it consistently. I think it’s a step forward but at the end of the day we said we were going to make the top eight and we didn’t achieve that, so in my eyes it’s a failure and we have to address it."

On departing players like WP Nel and Viliame Mata: "It’s hard speaking about it. I’m devastated this is their last experience in an Edinburgh jersey, they deserved much better.

"All I can say is thanks for what they’ve given the club, they are both absolute legends who will be spoken about forever when someone speaks about Edinburgh Rugby."

That was pretty painful viewing, Edinburgh fans. What was your reaction to the match?

Were you surprised by the result, or did you expect it? Did it sum up the season? Or was this a blip that cost you the play-offs?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Image source, SNS

Head coach Sean Everitt believes his side's dismal loss to Benetton "sums up" Edinburgh's performances this season, as they failed to capitalise on opportunities.

Instead it was the Italian side who put Edinburgh to the sword and secured a huge 31-6 victory and a place in the URC play-offs.

"There is frustration and anger," Everitt said. "This is a good test of how close our group is. We’re going to go through some adversity now, we’re going to have to pick ourselves up and come back next season to go again.

"We did well enough to put ourselves in this position, but this game sums up our performances: when we get opportunities, we don’t finish them."

"Those are the improvements we will look at. If you look at the team as a whole, it was never short of effort, but at times our skill errors let us down.

However, Everitt defended his side's "growth" this season and pointed to wins away at Ulster, and two wins at home over the Lions and the Bulls.

"There has been growth in certain areas, otherwise we wouldn’t have won 11 games," he added. "But there are obviously areas that are a concern for me. We need to work hard on our attack to get some flow going.

"To be fair to the players, with me coming late - and that’s not an excuse - you tend to want to put your defence and kicking game in place, so I’ll take some responsibility for that.

"But our attack initially was really good and it’s something we need to work on for next season. We’ve put in some good foundation work and I see that as growth."

The head coach did admit though, that Benetton handled the pressure better in the all-or-nothing clash in Treviso.

"It wasn’t a good performance by us at all. We made a lot of errors under pressure which ultimately cost us the ball.

"The unfortunate thing is that when we did have opportunities in the outside channels, we spilled the ball and they managed to score.

"Benetton put us under pressure and we didn’t handle that pressure well."

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh's style of victory ended up being their downfall this season, according to pundit Ryan Wilson.

Sean Everitt's side went into the final round of URC action effectively needing a win against play-off chasers Benetton to secure passage to the next stage of the competition.

That was despite the fact they had won 11 league matches - a very good return in an 18-game season. However, they only picked up two winning bonus points - awarded if a team scores four or more tries.

"Edinburgh will be kicking themselves at how they've played all season," Wilson told Premier Sports.

"Towards the end of the season they knew they had to play more rugby and find more bonus points, and parts of their game came together.

"Throughout the season it was a lot of kicking, and they went for three points a lot. That's had a massive effect come the end of the season and they've lost out through one or two bonus points.

"It's not about mentality. It's more the way they've played this season, and not really gone for it."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors will “need to go up a couple of gears” if they are to make it through their United Rugby Championship quarter-final next weekend, according to fly-half Duncan Weir.

Warriors were pushed all the way by bottom side Zebre before running out 38-26 winners at Scotstoun.

It was not the performance head coach Franco Smith would have wanted before their knockout tie back on home soil next week, with their opponents yet to be determined.

“Whoever we're playing next weekend we know we need to go up a couple of gears and we've got it in our squad,” said Weir.

“It's not a panic, it's not kind of all hands on deck and we need to kind of reinvent the wheel.

“All the solutions are in the building. All the solutions are with the coaches and with the players themselves.

“We will go and review it and we'll definitely be better next weekend, that's for sure.”

Weir led the team out alongside his children to mark his 150th appearance for his hometown club.

“It was class,” he said. “As soon as the team got announced during the week we stupidly told the kids and they've been asking when do they get to go out in Scotstoun and run out in front of all the flags and the fans.

“My wee one Emily was up during the night last night, but thankfully my wife Nicola took the brunt of it and gave me the full night's sleep.

“It was a special moment, one that I've been itching to achieve when it was creeping closer, and it's special doing it at home with the kids. Brilliant.”

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors fly-half Duncan Weir is looking ahead to a home United Rugby Championship quarter-final after ending the regular season with a comeback win over Zebre.

Franco Smith's side eventually came out on top to win 38-26 after trailing 12-16 at half-time.

Weir believes that a home quarter final back is a chance to show their quality again.

"I can't wait for next weekend. Getting back here at Scotstoun, it'll be another great occasion," he said.

"We're a free flowing team and an attack and if we can nail our basics, the little one percenters that often the punters won't see, but we'll know if we do all those little jobs cleanly, then ultimately we'll get clean ball and we'll get tempo in our game.

"Sadly we didn't get that at times today, but we'll look forward to learn going into next weekend."

Glasgow Warriors finished the regular URC season with a far-from-convincing win over the league's bottom side Zebre Parma at Scotstoun.

What did you make of the performance? Are you optimistic before the quarter-finals? Have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

Glasgow and Scotland flanker Rory Darge was named player of the match after his side's 38-26 win over Zebre in the final game of the regular URC season.

"It was some game, a bit nervy towards the end," he told Premier Sports. "That's because of how well Zebre play, they put us under a bit of pressure so we're delighted to get the win.

"We were under no illusions as to what kind of team we were up against. You watch all their games and they're right in it until the last 20.

"Off the back of two losses it's good to get the win going into the play-offs. We've got the confidence that we can win those gritty games. We're delighted to show that sort of character and get the win."

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland international Chris Paterson says Glasgow must raise their performance levels if they are to compete in the URC knock-outs.

Franco Smith's side battled to a 38-26 win over Zebre Parma to finish the regular league season, but were far from their best at Scotstoun.

The Warriors are guaranteed a quarter-final spot, but will only learn their opponents after the rest of the weekend's action, and Paterson says harsh words are needed after a below-par display.

"You can see the quality that Glasgow possess," Paterson told Premier Sports. "They have to improve of course.

"They'll be happy with the scrum, they'll be happy with the victory and of course the bonus point but they'll be frustrated with the number of turnovers.

"Some of the attack they were second-guessing themselves which comes with a bit of nerves.

"Franco [Smith] will be pleased in some ways that it was far from perfect because the step up that's needed is evident, and frustration will allow them to be hard on each other."

Image source, SNS

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith on his side's 38-26 win over Zebre: "I think tonight they [the crowd] pulled us through. They held us responsible and the boys reacted well to the support.

"So it will be fantastic to have this place completely filled next week.

"I can't put my finger now on it [what went wrong]. We'll have to discuss that and we'll get back to the review board on Monday and understand why, but I think there was a little bit of over eagerness. We all knew that there's still a chance for us by scoring a certain amount of points to still end in first.

"I think they just wanted to fix it and sometimes the public doesn't realise how much they want to rectify a loss like what happened against the Lions.

"They get a little bit nervous and edgy and then there's execution error, so that's understandable for this week.

"We have finished the season and now a new phase of this competition starts and that obviously has a completely different look to it."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt says latest centurion Luke Crosbie "wears the castle in his heart".

Scotland flanker Crosbie has come up through the ranks at Edinburgh and the 27-year-old will make his 100th appearance in Saturday's must-win game at Benetton.

"He's a warrior, he wears the castle in his heart and he certainly gives his best every time he takes the field," said Everitt.

"So a guy that's come through the academy system in Edinburgh, born and bred, it's a great achievement for a guy at the age of 27.

"We're very proud for what Luke's going to achieve in his 100th game. Before I came in, there was big talk around Luke. He had won all the Edinburgh awards last year.

"He followed that up with some really good performances. That's why he got to start in the first Six Nations game of the championship this year, then unfortunately picked up an injury."

With Edinburgh currently seventh and needing a top-eight finish to reach the play-offs, Everitt says preparations have gone well for the crucial final match of the regular season.

"The focus is on our performance," he added. "I believe we've improved week in and week out, even though we didn't get the result against Munster last time out.

"A win does give us championship qualification next year, so that's what we're going out to do."

Image source, SNS

Luke Crosbie will make his 100th Edinburgh appearance as Sean Everitt's side travel to Italy to take on Benetton in the final game of the regular season.

The flanker starts ahead of Hamish Watson to reach this landmark as the head coach makes four changes.

Injury woes for Wes Goosen means James Lang starts at full-back with Matt Currie and Chris Dean making up the midfield meaning Mark Bennett moves to the bench.

Ali Price is the starting scrum-half this week as Ben Vellacott starts on the bench.

Seventh-placed Edinburgh and Benetton in eighth are level on 49 points going into the last regular game of the season.

A victory puts both teams in the top eight, and a draw of equal league points puts the visitors in the play-offs. Edinburgh have a better win record (11) than the Italians (10).

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

Replacements: Cherry, Venter, Sebastian, Sykes, Watson, Vellacott, Scott, Bennett

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has praised "huge asset" Duncan Weir as the fly-half reaches an incredible appearance milestone.

Former Scotland star Weir, 33, will play his 150th game across two spells for his boyhood club when he lines up against Zebre at Scotstoun on Friday night.

Weir made his Glasgow debut in 2010 and this week signed a new two-year deal.

"He's got a good, complete skillset and he's shown that under pressure in winning Test matches in the last minute against Italy. I remember a drop goal that he kicked," Smith said.

"His composure and his passion and still his ability, even after all this experience that he's gained, to learn and get better every day and to influence the people around him and to be a mentor to the young boys is second to none.

"I think Scotland and the young Scottish players can do with his experience and that shouldn't be lost from a professional environment.

"So we're very excited that he's still contributing on the field and I think he's going to contribute even more in the biggest picture here at the club."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Franco Smith has urged Glasgow to finish the regular season on a high on Friday night as they target victory at home to Zebre to keep alive hopes of topping the URC.

Warriors are currently fourth - three points behind leaders Munster - and already assured of a home quarter-final in the play-offs.

Smith's side have lost their last two matches - against the Bulls and Lions in South Africa - and Smith is determined to "rectify" that against a Zebre side who prop up the standings.

"We're really excited to be back here," said the Glasgow head coach. "I think the scoreline against the Lions doesn't reflect really what happened. There were two bad luck incidents that changed the outcome of that game.

"We still have a lot to play for. We can still, by performing at our very best, prepare well for the final part of [the season]. Two, we can still end up top of the pile, depending on the Bulls result and the Ulster-Munster result.

"We just need to make sure that we do what we can, the best we can, and control what we can control."

Zebre came out swinging against Glasgow last month before being overwhelmed in a heavy home defeat, but Smith is wary of underestimating the Italian side.

"You must remember that they are a proud team," he said. "They will put up a big fight. And yes, sometimes people underestimate their ability but there's only good teams in this competition.

"We understand that they can be unpredictable and we're going to be very aware of that."

Image source, SNS

Scotland women's head coach Bryan Easson says Sarah Law is an "inspiration to young athletes" as the fly-half prepares to hang up her boots.

Law, who won the last of her 53 caps at the 2022 World Cup, will retire from rugby after Sale's final match of the season against Bristol on Sunday.

The 29-year-old has been hampered by injury and was diagnosed with axia spondyloarthritis, a form of inflammatory arthritis, prior to the World Cup.

"Sarah has been an exceptional ambassador for Scottish rugby," said Easson.

"Her consistent performances and ability to shine under pressure have made her a beloved figure among her coaches, team-mates and fans.

"She is an inspiration to young athletes nationwide and we thank her for all she has done for Scotland and wish her all the best in her future endeavours."

Reflecting on her career highlights, Law told Scottish Rugby: "Playing for Scotland was the greatest honour that I could possibly imagine – and through the highs and the lows, I’m hugely grateful that I got to experience international rugby, starting as an 17-year-old amateur, all the way through to being a professional.

"There’s been some pretty special moments – our first Six Nations win in seven years, qualifying for a Word Cup, feeling the bounce of the crowd in a packed Hive or Scotstoun – moments that made every minute of the years of hard work feel worthwhile. It’s been a privilege to be part of."

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith welcomes back Scotland pair Huw Jones and Richie Gray from injury for the crucial meeting with Zebre at Scotstoun on Friday night.

Fly-half Duncan Weir, who this week signed a new two-year contract, will make his 150th appearance for the club.

Lock Gray and centre Jones have both been out of action since picking up injuries on Six Nations duty this year and are among eight changes as Smith's side aim for top spot in their final league outing.

Jones starts in midfield in place of Stafford McDowall, with Argentine duo Sebastian Cancelliere and Facundo Cordero coming in to take berths on the wing as Kyle Rowe shifts to full-back.

Jamie Bhatti and Zander Zagerson make the starting XV to pack down either side of hooker Johnny Matthews, while back-rowers Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey are also promoted from the bench and Gray joins Max Williamson in the engine room.

Glasgow: Rowe, Cordero, Jones, Tuipulotu (C), Cancelliere, Weir, Dobie; Bhatti, Matthews, Z. Fagerson, Williamson, Gray, M. Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey

Replacements: Hiddleston, McBeth, Cummings, Ferrie, Horne, Thompson, Jordan

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh will open the 2024-25 URC season at home to Irish giants Leinster on Friday, 20 September, while Glasgow Warriors begin away to Ulster the following day.

The 1872 Cup derby between the Scottish sides is again a festive double-header, with the first game at Scotstoun on 21 December and the return a week later at Murrayfield.

Edinburgh travel to South Africa in the second and third round of fixtures (28 September and 5 October) to face the Bulls and Lions, while Glasgow make the trip in rounds five and six (19 and 26 October) to take on the Sharks and Stormers.

Franco Smith’s men end the regular season with successive away matches Benetton and Leinster in May, with Edinburgh visiting Connacht before host Ulster in their final two games.

The quarter-final and semi-final play-offs will be in late May and early June before the final on 14 June.

Edinburgh's 2024-25 fixtures: Leinster (h) 20 Sept; Bulls (a) 28 Sept; Lions (a) 5 Oct; Stormers (h) 12 Oct; Cardiff (h) 19 Oct; Ospreys (a) 26 Oct; Benetton (h) 30 Nov; Glasgow (a) 21 December; Glasgow (h) 28 December; Scarlets (a) 25 Jan; Zebre (h) 14 Feb; Munster (a) 28 Feb; Benetton (a) 22 Mar; Dragons (h) 28 Mar; Sharks (h) 18 Apr; Zebre (a) 26 Apr; Connacht (a) 10 May; Ulster (h) 16 May.

Glasgow's 2024-25 fixtures: Ulster (a) 21 Sept; Benetton (h) 27 Sept; Cardiff (a) 4 Oct; Zebre (h) 11 Oct; Sharks (a) 19 Oct; Stormers (a) 26 Oct; Scarlets (h) 29 Nov; Edinburgh (h) 21 Dec; Edinburgh (a) 28 Dec; Connacht (h) 24 Jan; Dragons (a) 18 Feb; Ospreys (h) 1 Mar; Munster (h) 21 Mar; Lions (h) 29 Mar; Zebre (a) 19 Apr; Bulls (h) 25 Apr; Benetton (a) 10 May; Leinster (a) 17 May.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland back-row Luke Crosbie will achieve a "dream" when he joins Edinburgh's list of centurions in his next appearance for the capital club.

The 27-year-old made his debut in 2017 and sits on 99 games for his boyhood team, meaning he looks set to achieve the milestone in Saturday's "all or nothing" clash against Benetton.

"I wasn't actually keeping an eye on how many games I've played," Crosbie said. "It means a lot coming right through the ranks of the academy, playing at Myreside, right through.

"We've played at Murrayfield, now we've got our own stadium. I've been on the whole journey right through to this point. Getting 100 caps would just be an amazingly special moment for me, my family, my girlfriend."

The flanker also recalled one of his favourite moments in a navy blue - formerly red and black - jersey, scoring on his second appearance: "I had just come up after Under-20s. [Then head coach] Richard Cockerill said I was too skinny. I had to get pulled from Currie, and get stuck in the gym for about five weeks.

"There was an opportunity to play London Irish, I got put on the bench there and I was like 'I'll show him I'm not just this wee skinny boy from West Lothian'. I managed to score a try in that game.

"My dad and uncle were at the game as well and they celebrated by going along to Costco and stocking their car up and enjoying themselves."

A win against Benetton could potentially set up a quarter-final clash with rivals Glasgow Warriors, a prospect at which Crosbie grinned at.

"It's always a good laugh playing the Weegies," he said. "I always enjoy playing them, it's a good challenge as well.

"With the Scotland set-up and knowing all the boys, you can wind them up a little bit on the deck at the bottom of a ruck."