Scottish Rugby

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie is "proud" of the way his team have handled a "frustrating" season as they go into a decisive URC clash against Benetton.

A win in Saturday's regular-season closer in Treviso will see Sean Everitt's side through to the play-offs. A loss and their season is almost certainly over.

"It's been a really tough one," Ritchie said when reflecting on the season. "Look at the wins and we're up there, in terms of how many games we won this season. We've struggled to get the bonus points, we missed out on a couple of losing bonus points.

"I wouldn't call it a disappointment, definitely not. It would maybe be frustrating, but it's also the year we've had. In the last few weeks, we've been compromised in terms of injuries to our backs.

"I don't want to make excuses, but we were missing 16 guys at the start of the year, in pre-season, with a new coach. There's plenty of things that have come into it and I'm really proud of how we've built our way through this season and we've dug out some pretty tough wins."

Ritchie will be expected to pack down in the back row alongside the departing Bill Mata, and possibly Scotland team-mate Luke Crosbie, who is in line for his 100th Edinburgh appearance.

"Over the last few years, [Luke's] form has been outstanding," the 27-year-old added.

"We saw how well he played for Scotland over the last few years. It'll be really exciting for him to get his 100th cap and he'll be fully deserving of it. I'm really proud of him.

"You know Bill will put his body on the line for you. It's great being next to him, and it's certainly better playing with him than it is playing against him.

"We'll really miss him. I'm really excited to see him go down in the Prem and carve up there."

Flanker Jamie Ritchie talks to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast about losing the national team captaincy and his place as a certain starter.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Gregor Brown believes Glasgow's "positive culture" is the secret behind the club's blossoming younger players who have helped the club to a top-four URC finish.

Brown has starred in the Warriors forward pack this season alongside fellow 22-year-olds Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Gregor Hiddleston and 21-year-old Alex Samuel.

"It's such a positive culture here, the coaches and other players feed you with confidence," Brown said. "There's a lot of boys getting opportunities and the way that we train sets boys up for that.

"When it comes to game time, it's not that much of a step up. People are going in there with the confidence just to play the game that they've always been playing."

Brown started both of Glasgow's recent games in South Africa in the second-row, although he admitted he sees himself as a back-row first.

The match against the Lions was his fifth start of the season after an injury-interrupted campaign.

"At the start of the season I was really pleased to build a run of games and then I picked up an injury in that away game at Bayonne, which knocked me out for a few months," he added.

"It was pretty tough dealing with that, but to come back at the tail-end of the season and get some game time in some pretty big games has been huge for me. I've really enjoyed it and it feels like I'm getting back to where I was."

Brown didn't even get to relax last weekend despite Glasgow not being in action. He was watching cousin Blair Kinghorn lift the Champions Cup, and couldn't be happier for the Scotland full-back.

"I'm buzzing for Blair," Brown said. "That move to Toulouse has been huge for him. A lot of our family were down watching the game and it's just so cool to see him go on and win such a prestigious trophy with such a cool club."

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Click here to listen to the latest BBC Scotland Rugby podcast, featuring a preview of this weekend's concluding United Rugby Championship league fixtures and an interview with Scotland forward Jamie Ritchie.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Head coach Sean Everitt insists his Edinburgh side have not underperformed this season, despite the risk of not reaching the URC quarter-finals.

The capital club must win against Benetton on Saturday, or rely heavily on results elsewhere, if they are to secure a top-eight finish.

"I wouldn't say we've underperformed," Everitt said. "There's been a lot of growth, and we've got to look at the season as a whole. We've won five more games than we did last year so there's growth in the results that we've achieved.

"I would be disappointed if we didn't get through. It's the nature of the competition that every point is absolutely vital. We've got to ask have we grown as a squad? Have we grown as a franchise? We've certainly done that."

When Edinburgh met Benetton at home earlier this season, the hosts dominated large parts of the game but lost 24-22 after Ben Healy's last-ditch drop-goal attempt sailed wide.

"That game was frustrating for us because we had so many opportunities," Everitt added.

"Look at the comedy of errors - Wes Goosen's got an open try-line in front of him and the ball falls out of his hands, Duhan [van der Merwe] slipped and hit the pole and the ball fell out of his hands; Blair Kinghorn lost the ball on the floor to give away the try to win.

"We know that we have the ability and the capability within our squad to be able to win that game on Saturday."

Grant Young
Fan writer

Five seasons ago, Glasgow lost to Leinster on a cold and wet afternoon in Glasgow. That squad quickly broke up afterwards and head coach Dave Rennie left soon after for the Australia job.

But what of this team? A strong season on the field has the potential to now fizzle out. I wrote before the trip to South Africa about it being season-defining, but fans were full of confidence and were even dreaming of what a home final might look like.

For all the injuries, squad rotation and international call-ups, we have witnessed some of the most entertaining rugby at Scotstoun since Rennie departed. Franco Smith's side are better organised defensively, though weaknesses were exposed by the free-scoring South Africans over the past two fixtures.

All focus now switches to Zebre on Friday, a big game in a number of ways. Taking five points is undoubtedly top of the wish list. It could go a long way to determining who we will face in the quarter-finals a week on Saturday.

It was quite a shock this week to see Ross Thompson move down the M8 to Edinburgh, but a fresh start could be a good thing for Thompson, who was carrying the drinks in South Africa.

Sandy Smith
Edinburgh fan columnist

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It's a big week for Edinburgh. We don't know if the season will end on Saturday or not; Saturday's trip to Benetton is as close to 'all or nothing' as it gets.

I’m sure I'll get myself up for the game as the week goes on, but a seventh or eighth-place finish in the URC hardly seems cause for celebration.

Some celebrations have already happened. The end of season awards last weekend saw Jamie Ritchie given player of the season and Wes Goosen win the players’ choice.

Congratulations must also go to former Gunner Blair Kinghorn, who was superb in Toulouse's Champions Cup final triumph over Leinster.

The prize we are pursuing may not be the one we’d choose but you can only fight the battles you are presented with and if even this middling contest is to be overcome then Munster-esque levels of physicality and intensity will be required to secure only a fourth win in Treviso since 2010.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's final match of the regular URC season against Benetton.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Proud of his side's performance and intensity against Munster, and says confidence can be taken from previous away wins ahead of daunting trip to Italy.

• Admits there were a "comedy of errors" in home loss to Benetton, but they know they are capable of creating opportunities against the Italians.

• Doesn't agree Edinburgh have underperformed this season, and was keen to point out they have won five games more than last season, which he says shows clear growth.

• On Ross Thompson's signature, he says "we like to have Edinburgh boys playing for Edinburgh", but adds Thompson won't take Cammy Scott's place.

• Glasgow would be Edinburgh's first choice opponent in the quarter-finals "with regards to logistics".

• Wes Goosen has fractured his foot, and Everitt says Scott or Jake Henry could cover the full-back position at the weekend.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Defence coach Pete Murchie insists there is "zero chance" of complacency when Glasgow take on Zebre on Friday night.

The Warriors have already secured a top-four spot and a home quarter-final, while the Italian side languish at the bottom of the URC table.

"There's absolutely no chance," Murchie said. "We've got nothing to be complacent about. We need a performance on Friday night in front of our home fans. We need to show how much we care. There's absolutely zero chance of complacency in this game from us."

Murchie was also full of praise for Duncan Weir, who signed a new contract at Scotstoun on Monday after an impressive season.

"Duncan's been here in two spells now, he's someone I've played a fair amount with," Murchie added. "He's probably played his best rugby for a long time this season, what he brings to us in training and every time he's had the opportunity in a game.

"He's had some excellent performances this season. He's probably the fittest he's been for a number of years, which is testament to him, the way he goes about his preparation. He's positive for us on the pitch, but also what he brings off the pitch - his experience, how he can develop the young players - is absolutely vital."

The defence coach also highlighted the departing Ross Thompson, who will join Edinburgh at the end of the season after three years at Glasgow.

"It's a good opportunity for him. We never like to see someone of his talent move on because he is a very talented player and he's had some excellent performances for us both in the past and this season.

"I can't doubt his commitment to the club. Sometimes it just works out that it's best for the player in the particular situation that he's in to go somewhere else. We'll miss him because of the type of person he is. Sometimes these things happen in rugby and we wish him all the best."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Duncan Weir says he feels "more valued" after signing a two-year contract extension at Glasgow Warriors.

The fly-half has enjoyed a renaissance this season, playing an important role in the Warriors' tilt at the URC title when he was expected to be a bit-part player.

"I definitely feel more valued, and that's brought the best out of myself," Weir said.

"I've got the young legs strapped back on and I do feel that I've helped the team in the right areas in games.

"When you still absolutely love playing the game and you're playing for your boyhood club, it's great. I'm delighted to be staying and this club and city means a lot to me."

Weir, 33, has become something of a cult hero at Scotstoun and is creeping up the Warrior's list of all-time appearance makers and point scorers.

"It's obviously a massive compliment, but I'm just a normal guy," he said of his 'fan favourite' tag.

"I come from a normal working-class family and if that has rubbed off on my performances - I'm maybe not the biggest man on the pitch, but I'll definitely give 100%.

"If they respect that and give me some good compliments on that, then I feel that I'm doing the club justice and doing them justice."

The pool of fly-halves at Glasgow that Weir inhabits will look different next season as Adam Hastings returns but Ross Thompson departs.

"Adam's a fantastic player," Weir said. "I know he's had a couple of years of tough luck and a lot of time out injured, but having worked with him in the national set-up I know how good an athlete he is and how good he is as a rugby player.

"Ross is going the other direction and I wish him all the best. He's a top-class player and I hope that he gets the game time that he wants and can help his game develop even further."

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Glasgow Warriors fly-half Duncan Weir has signed a new two-year contract with the Scotstoun club.

The 33-year-old started his career with Glasgow in 2010 and had spells at Edinburgh and Worcester Warriors before returning in 2021.

Weir - who won the last of 30 international caps in 2020 - has made 14 appearances this season as Glasgow challenge at the top end of the URC table.

"Duncan has been an excellent servant to this club, and he acts as an outstanding mentor to our young players," head coach Franco Smith said.

"We value the experience he brings to our environment, and we believe that it is important to pass this experience on to the next generation.

"He has an important role to play within our squad that Duncan understands, and it’s exciting to have him involved with our group, both as a player and as an influence on our younger players coming through."

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Scotland back-row Evie Gallagher has been nominated for the RPA's Women's Rugby Player of the year award after a fine season for club and country.

In the absence of Jade Konkel, Gallagher started all of Scotland's Six Nations matches at number eight and was one of Bryan Easson's strongest players.

One of Scotland's best carriers, she also secured more turnovers than any other player in the tournament.

She has also excelled for Bristol Bears in the PWR this season, helping them to a top-four finish and runners-up in the Allianz Cup.

The Rugby Players Association (RPA) is the representative body of professional rugby players in England.

Previous winners of the award include England internationals Natasha Hunt, Sadia Kabeya and Poppy Cleall.

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Emma Wassell has become the latest Scotland international to extend her contract at Loughborough Lightning, signing up for the next PWR season.

Loosehead prop Christine Belisle and Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm also penned extensions at the Leicestershire side last month.

Wassell, 29, joined Lightning in 2022 and has made 28 appearances for the club.

The Aberdeen-born forward won her 67th Scotland cap during the recent Six Nations, taking her to ninth in the country's all-time appearance list.

Speaking to Lighning's club website, Wassell said: “No matter how old you are, how many years you have played, being able to keep on continuously learn or push yourself to make yourself a wee bit uncomfortable, and that is to play the best rugby for Lightning but also internationally, it is hugely important that I can come back and I feel like I am still improving.”

Elsewhere in the PWR, Sale Sharks announced that loosehead prop Anne Young and openside flanker Rachel McLachlan will leave the club at the end of the season.

We asked what you thought of the chances of Scotland's two United Rugby Championship sides as they go into the final regular fixtures of the season.

Glasgow Warriors need a bonus-point win over Zebre - combined with favours elsewhere - secure a top-two finish, while Edinburgh must defeat Benetton to join them in the quarter-finals.

Here's a selection of your thoughts:

Domenic: I can't put my finger on what's wrong with Edinburgh. For a team full of internationals, they constantly underperform. Yet, when players leave - e.g. Blair Kinghorn - they go on to become great players. Will Edinburgh make the last eight? No. Do they deserve to? No. Insipid performances at the Hive suggest they can't cut it with the big teams.

Stuart: Warriors should get five points on Friday and we will have to wait on other results. Should they play to their absolute best, the final is possible. But they must put the brain fades, handling errors and slow starts behind them.

Jim: Glasgow have done exceptionally well this season but unfortunately chose Saturday to put on their worst show so far. They should never have conceded so many points to 14 players. Hopefully they have got it out of their system, however, and the best form returns for the quarter-final and hopefully the semis.

Robert: Glasgow need a captain and leader on the pitch. An Alun Wyn Jones or Martin Johnson who can grab the team when things need to be changed and change them on the pitch and not wait for instructions to come down. Until this happens, they will lose games they should have won.

With just one round of the regular URC season remaining, do you think Glasgow and Edinburgh will be able to achieve their respective goals?

For Glasgow, it's all about a top-two finish. They need to secure a bonus-point win against Zebre and then hope for favours elsewhere.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, need to beat Benetton to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

How are you feeling before the games? Send us your thoughts here, external.

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Adam Hastings' farewell performance for Gloucester ended in disappointment as Sharks powered to a 36-22 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to lift the European Challenge Cup.

The South African side led 16-3 at the interval and were 36-10 up before a late flurry from the English Premiership outfit.

Hastings, who is returning to Glasgow Warriors for next season, knocked over two conversions and missed with a third attempt.

The 27-year-old fly-half moved to Kingsholm Stadium from Glasgow in the summer of 2021.

Last capped for Scotland in 2022, Hastings' time at Gloucester has been marred by a series of injuries that required four separate surgeries.

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Glasgow's URC quarter-final will take place at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, 8 June at 19:35 BST, the club have confirmed.

Franco Smith's side are guaranteed a top-four finish with one game remaining - at home to Zebre - next Friday.

Warriors, currently fourth, are eyeing a spot in the top two which would also secure a home semi-final should they make it that far.

Their quarter-final opposition will be confirmed on 1 June once all fixtures are played.

Glasgow sit three points behind leaders Munster, who host Ulster on the final day, and all of the current top four could still finish at the summit.

Being guaranteed a top-four spot also means Smith's team will again compete in the Champions Cup next season, having made it to the last 16 this term before losing to Harlequins.

David Ferguson
BBC Scotland

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Great Britain's rugby sevens teams are stepping up preparations for this summer's Paris Olympics, with Scots at the heart of the campaigns.

The women's team have already qualified but the men have to overcome South Africa, and others, next month to secure their spot.

Heading up the GB sevens programme is Ciaran Beattie, from Selkirk, who he is assisted as women's head coach by fellow Scots Scott Riddell and Sean Lamont.

The 38-year-old admits he is now confident of GB success after getting to grips with the sudden merger of Scotland, England and Wales in 2022.

"We got told in the August, 10 days before the Commonwealth Games [in Birmingham], so we're heading to Scotland, England and Wales for the Commonwealth Games, we get told, look, this is happening. And in a month's time you're going to be sitting in a room as GB," Beattie tells BBC Scotland.

"We started that year with zero foundations, finding our feet, me finding my feet in a sort of new role, and acknowledging that as well and not shying away from it.

"And part of that is then going, look, now we're year two into it. We're a couple of months away from an Olympics, which is being a big focus for the two years and helped us drive forward is this sort of next cycle of four years."

Beattie says Scotland could have a strong presence in the Olympics squads and revealed the Saltire remains prominent in the GB dressing rooms.

"Nobody is coming in there on a token gesture - there's not a quota to hit and everybody is there on merit," he added.

"If there's a Scottish presence, an English presence, a Welsh presence, it's the best people.

"However, it is important to acknowledge the uniqueness. We speak about GB having a proud Scot, proud English, proud Welsh, and how do we come together an not fight against that?

"We've got the GB flag up in the changing room, but there's the three home flags up as well because we're proud of that."

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Edinburgh have signed Glasgow Warriors and Scotland fly-half Ross Thompson on a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old will make the move down the M8 this summer, and will compete for the number 10 jersey with Ben Healy and Cammy Scott.

Thompson spent four seasons with Glasgow, during which time he earned three Scotland caps.

"I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Edinburgh next season," Thompson said. "I’m very grateful to Glasgow Warriors for the opportunities that I’ve had which have allowed me to develop as a player.

"It’s clear to see the potential that the squad has and I’m excited about contributing towards that. The fact that I get to represent the city I grew up in makes the move extra special for me."

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt, said: "We’re thrilled to confirm the signing of Ross. He’s a really smart player with a great understanding of the game. He’s a strong decision-maker and a real threat with the ball in hand.

"His signing adds real competition for places in the number 10 jersey, which will ultimately benefit the entire squad."