Scottish Rugby

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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George Horne says Glasgow Warriors will have to "do it the hard way" all over again if they are to retain their United Rugby Championship title.

Warriors are chasing a second-place finish in the regular season behind Leinster, the reward for which would be a potential home semi-final in addition to a home quarter-final, which they have already secured.

However, a 26-19 defeat at home to the Bulls on Friday night saw the South Africans close to within a point of Glasgow in the URC table.

Warriors face tough away matches at Benetton and Leinster in their final two matches, with the Bulls having a more favourable run-in with home matches against Cardiff and Dragons.

Franco Smith's side produced fantastic away play-off wins over Munster and Bulls en route to winning the title last season, and Horne believes they are capable of more end-of-season heroics.

"It's still in our hands," Horne told BBC Scotland.

"We're still ahead (of Bulls) in the table, but we're going to have to keep getting better coming into the last two games.

"You would back Bulls to win both their games at home, so we're going to have to do it the hard way. We've got a bit of experience doing that now, but that counts for nothing this year.

"We're just going to have to knuckle down and just go out and give it everything. We're going to probably need 10 points from the last two games."

It was a night of late drama in Scottish rugby as Glasgow scored two consolation tries to secure a losing bonus point against the Bulls, while Edinburgh scored an 82nd minute conversion to rescue a draw with Zebre out in Parma.

What did you think, rugby fans? What went wrong for Glasgow for most of that match? Have injuries caught up with them?

Did you foresee Edinburgh rescuing that against Zebre? And how about Cammy Scott's clutch kick?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Glasgow head coach Franco Smith tells BBC Scotland: "We must expect this from URC, not just the Bulls. There is quality sides pushing each other every week.

"We've done well to be second for a long time. If we face the previous finalists of last year, you'd expect a tough game. The game got away from us. When we missed touch with the score at 9-7, we gave away two tries in the space of 15 minutes.

"I'm still proud of the effort, the boys kept on playing until the end. We ended up pushing for a bonus point. Very happy that we didn't give up and kept working hard, which is the character of this team.

"The Bulls came here with a mission. They made 189 tackles tonight, 80 more than we did. Despite that, we got so many line-breaks but they scrambled well to defend. Compliments to them. They forced us into errors.

"We are at the back end of a very tough season, we've played 16 finals. Every team wants to beat last year's winners, it's a different aspect of the game. We're still second with two to go, so I'm really proud of what the boys have achieved this season.

"We have the confidence that we can win away from home, we did it last year. To catch Leinster will be tough, they'll have to lose it. We still have two games, we'll add some new bodies. There's some coming back from injury and I'm excited about that and hopefully we hit our straps just in time."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Emma Wassell says Scotland have "wrongs to right" in their "vital" final game of the Women's Six Nations against Ireland on Saturday.

Having suffered a damaging loss at home to Italy in round three, Bryan Easson's side have only one win from four having targeted three victories this season.

They now host an improving Ireland who had a seismic win over New Zealand last year. The Irish have won two from four in a tournament that is especially important given the World Cup takes place in England in August.

Lock Wassell, whose return to rugby is progressing following operations to remove a tumour in her chest last autumn, has called on her team-mates to find their inner-dog against the Irish.

"You can't really coach bringing out the dog," the 30-year-old told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. "Sometimes you need something that can bring that out and individual players just need to find what it is.

"This game is vital. Ultimately, you could see us bottom of the table [if results go against them] and that's the honest truth of it."

The disappointing and unexpected loss to Italy in Edinburgh was the day Scotland's campaign went off track, Wassell says.

She added: "I don't think it was really us out there. It felt quite flat. Why that is, I don't think we're 100% sure. Verbally, no one was complacent, but mentally, have we almost assumed that we would win that game? It's hard to really pinpoint it.

"Everyone knew it wasn't good enough. I think we have a few wrongs to right. Sometimes before a game it's very easy to go into your shell and I think we need players to express themselves out there.

"I know the capabilities of this squad. So, yes, fans may be frustrated, but it's really hard and the players feel it more than ever."

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

Andrew asked: Edinburgh impressed in the main against a Sharks team that took until the second half to properly find their fins. If we finish outside the top eight, for me it's more down to points dropped earlier in the season. Edinburgh can still finish in the top eight but will they?

Tom answered: I agree. They lost an amount of ridiculous points in previous rounds and their predicament now is because of weakness and wastefulness back then.

They have a tough away game in Parma to face Zebre on Friday night and they have multiple injuries to boot. Zebre have won five games this season having won one last season and none the season before. This could be very hairy for Edinburgh, but they have to win.

Then they have to beat Connacht away and they have Ulster at home in the last round. It's so, so tight and incredibly hard to call as a result.

Edinburgh have to win at least two and probably all three to make it. Odds slightly against them, I think. But they're showing improvements in recents weeks, so that would give me some hope if I was an Edinburgh fan.

Paul asked: Glasgow, and now Edinburgh too, have pretty awful injury lists at the business end of the season. With reduced squad sizes planned for next term, have the pro teams peaked? Whilst I get the finances, is it going to help grow the game if the height of ambition for Glasgow and Edinburgh is to finish top eight in the URC?

Tom answered: I don't think the height of Glasgow's ambition is ever going to be top eight. They're champions and currently second in the table. Yes, they're losing a few but they're gaining a few as well.

They'll still have a terrific squad, albeit with giant Tom Jordan and Henco Venter holes in it. Their ambition next year will be to win it.

I certainly think there is a whole load of improvement in Edinburgh. They've been underperforming for a long time. Even without Jamie Ritchie next season they should have enough to contend.

Merely scraping into the top eight shouldn't be good enough for them. Yes, budgets will be a challenge, but there are not many teams in the competition awash with cash. Leinster are the outliers.

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Loosehead prop James Whitcombe will join Edinburgh from Leicester Tigers on a three-year deal this summer, with Cardiff tighthead Rhys Litterick arriving on a two-year contract.

Whitcombe, 24, qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent and has made five starts and 11 substitute appearances for Tigers this season.

Litterick, 26, can also represent Scotland, as well as Wales, and has featured 18 times this term, seven times from the start.

"I'm really looking forward to the move up north," said Whitcombe. "It's a fresh opportunity for me – a chance to challenge myself in a new environment, both on and off the pitch.

"I want to help the club win trophies. That's the goal. I want to contribute to a successful team and be part of something special in the Scottish capital."

Litterick commented: "It's a massive opportunity to grow both on and off the pitch in a new environment. Hopefully, I can contribute as much as I can to push for silverware.

"As a tighthead, I take a lot of pride in my set piece and working hard around the pitch."

And head coach Sean Everitt added: "Securing a player of James' quality on a long-term deal is a significant coup for the club.

"He is a highly-rated young prop with a fantastic pedigree, having come through a strong Leicester Tigers system and gained valuable experience in a very competitive Premiership environment.

"Rhys has shown impressive consistency in a quality Cardiff side this season and we're delighted to welcome him to Edinburgh.

"Tighthead is a position where there is often a lot of attrition, so bolstering our options with a prop of Rhys's calibre is crucial for us."

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Glasgow Warriors welcome back seven Scotland internationals and Patrick Schickerling for Friday's United Rugby Championship meeting with Bulls at Scotstoun.

Wing Kyle Rowe, fly-half Tom Jordan and scrum-half George Horne are the backs returning, while back-rows Gregor Brown and Rory Darge, loosehead prop Nathan McBeth and lock Max Williamson are back in the pack, along with tighthead Schickerling.

Ollie Smith moves from outside centre to full-back, captain Kyle Steyn moves from the wing to outside centre and McDowall moves from outside to inside centre. Another Scotland cap, lock Scott Cummings, could make his return from injury as a replacement.

Reigning champions Glasgow are already assured a home play-off quarter-final but winning on Friday would help towards a home semi-final should the Warriors reach the last four.

Head coach Franco Smith said: "The Bulls will pose an extremely physical test tomorrow night, one that we know that we will need to match across the field.

"Training this week has been fully focused on ensuring we display the best version of ourselves tomorrow night, and we look forward to running out in front of what promises to be a sold-out Scotstoun."

Glasgow Warriors: Smith, Cancelliere, Steyn (capt), McDowall, Rowe, Jordan, Horne; McBeth, Hiddleston, Schickerling, Williamson, Samuel, Brown, Darge, Mann.

Replacements: Matthews, Bhatti, Talakai, Cummings, Ferrie, Vailanu, Dobie, Hastings.

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Scotland internationals Darcy Graham and Hamish Watson return to bolster Edinburgh in Fright night's URC match against Zebre in Parma.

The pair, who were rested for last weekend's narrow loss to Sharks, are among six changes for the visitors.

Wing Jack Brown, making his first start, occupies the opposite flank to Graham while Boan Venter comes in at loosehead prop and Paddy Harrison starts at hooker.

In the second row, Glen Young is preferred to Grant Gilchrist.

With Jamie Ritchie rested, Ben Muncaster moves to blindside flanker, allowing Watson to reclaim the number seven jersey.

Edinburgh go into their third-last game in 11th place - three points adrift of a play-off spot - while Zebre are second bottom.

Head coach Sean Everitt said: "This is a really important fixture for us as we look to bounce back from the Sharks game. We know Zebre are a talented side and they've shown they can be very strong at home.

"The return of Darcy and Hamish is a real boost and we're excited to see Jack get his first start after his impressive impact last weekend."

Edinburgh team to face Zebre: Paterson, Graham, Currie, Lang, Brown, Thompson, Price, Venter, Harrison, Rae, Young, Skinner, Muncaster, Watson, Bradbury.

Replacements: Morris, Hislop, Williams, Gilchrist, Douglas, Shiel, Scott, Tuipulotu.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has been speaking to the media before his team's final Women's Six Nations fixture against Ireland on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• On the 59-7 loss to England last weekend: "It's always a difficult task to play against the best team in the world."

• But Easson is encouraged by Scotland's second-half performance: "It is one we can be proud of, that also shows some of the good things we've shown against France and Wales."

• Scotland have "learned a lot about ourselves" and the Ireland game is a real opportunity to "put together these learnings and put it on the pitch for that 80-minute performance."

• Easson says Scotland are "on track" with preparations for this summer's World Cup and it's a "real positive" that they have capped seven new players in the Six Nations.

• He is expecting a tough challenge against Ireland: "It's about putting the performance in and respecting them. They're a very physical side, they've shown that against some of the top sides in the world, and we have to fight fire with fire this weekend."

• On the return of Leah Bartlett, Anne Young and Rachel Malcolm: "The three of them give us real opportunities, it was three fairly good conversations around selection, but three good players to come in."

• Easson says the result won't "be a defining moment" but Scotland "want to make sure that we are learning from all the games."

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

Graeme asked: Do the Lions need Finn Russell more than he needs the Lions?

Tom answered: Er, no. I'd imagine that Russell would be achieving a dream if he was starting 10 for the Lions, as he should be, in my opinion.

He doesn't need the Lions but he deserves this tour and his brilliance warrants a Test team spot, assuming his form stays as it is.

This whole business with Johnny Sexton has caused a bit of confusion. Given the silly things he has said about Russell, and his obvious issue with him, Sexton should now be picking up the phone and arranging a face-to-face chat with him to clear the air. This is something he absolutely needs to do.

Rod asked: David Nucifora arrived with huge expectations, I really thought we needed someone with his background and skills. But so far I have seen nothing in terms of change. And now he is off with the Lions for the summer. Am I missing something - have you heard or seen anything he is doing?

Tom answered: Scotland's pathway issues go back many years and there's no way Nucifora was going to come in, wave a magic wand and fix things in a matter of months.

This is a serious piece of work that needs doing. It's failure at all levels at underage rugby and the entire pathway department in the SRU needs an overhaul. I'm told Nucifora is working away on that. Don't expect a grand unveiling of the masterplan any time soon.

Him going away with the Lions is a very bad look. He shouldn't be going on that tour. He should be with Scotland on their tour, getting to know people, picking some brains.

I can completely understand why some are asking about Nucifora and what on earth he's actually doing, given his Lions involvement.

But in the area of pathway development he's one of the best in the world, so let's hold fire a while longer to see what he can come up with.

He's with the SRU for two years. Personally, I think he's going to need every day of those two years to try to fix the shambles of Scotland's pathway system.

Nick asked: How concerning it is to see Scotland U18s lose comprehensively to Spain?

Tom answered: It's the continuation of what we've been saying at underage. It's very, very concerning. They lost all three of their games. It's why David Nucifora has been brought in, See above answer for more on that. I think the SRU have got the best pathway planner in Nucifora, but it's going to take time.

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Glasgow Warriors have signed Scotland lock Alex Craig for next season.

Craig, 27, has played with Scarlets for the last two campaigns and made 40 appearances having previously spent over four years with Gloucester.

He was voted as Scarlets' player of the season last year by his team-mates.

From Castle Douglas, Craig made the last of his six Scotland caps as a replacement in the win over Australia at Murrayfield in November last year.

"For me, coming back home is a massive opportunity and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in," Craig told Glasgow's website.

"I'm from Castle Douglas, and I've always kept a close eye on how Glasgow were doing as I supported the club when growing up. To see the club go from strength to strength in recent seasons has been so impressive, and they just keep getting better and better as a team.

"I know quite a lot of the boys from U20s and from Scotland duty; I grew up playing minis with Stafford [McDowall] too, his dad was my first rugby coach and we played together from when we were seven until about 14 or 15.

"Stafford's probably the one I spoke to the most when making the decision to move up here, but everyone I've spoken to has had nothing but good things to say about the club."

Joining Tom English on this week's episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast are Glasgow lock Max Williamson and Scotland lock Emma Wassell, who shares a health update after a tumour was discovered in her chest last autumn.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

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Josh McKay says it was an "easy decision" to sign a contract extension keeping him at Glasgow Warriors until summer 2028.

The New Zealand-born full-back, 27, has scored 17 tries in 62 appearances since joining in November 2021.

McKay, who will be eligible for Scotland through the residency rule in autumn next year, said: "It was a really easy decision to renew in the end.

"It's great to have a good bit of certainty on where I'll be for the next few years – I love it here, both playing for Glasgow but also living in the city and being able to get out and explore Scotland.

"To be able to do all of that for the next three years is huge, and I can't wait to make more memories with the boys.

"I'd love to play 100 games for this club and I'd love to win more silverware with the boys. We've got a really good group here and we know that we've got a great chance to do just that over the next few years."

Head coach Franco Smith says McKay has "fully bought into" what the current URC champions are trying to build, adding: "His performances are consistently of the highest level, as well as developing into a leader on and off the field."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

It's not the first time Edinburgh have played the Springboks, however when we met them in a friendly in 1998 they were at least not disguised as a club team.

They turned up in Sharks colours on Friday night at the Hive and a casual glance at the team they selected would have given anyone the fear.

The injury to Ben Vellacott and the 'rest protocol' absence of Darcy Graham were worrying, then there was the all-too-familiar update from the club that we had to alter the starting line-up as talisman Wes Goosen had failed a fitness test.

The backline was shuffled and although I had no concerns about the quality of the replacements, the disruption to what had been a well-oiled structure over the last few weeks added to my angst.

To the first half and Edinburgh's attack eased my fears considerably. They scored two cracking tries through James Lang and Jamie Ritchie, which unfortunately were unconverted.

The half was also punctuated by Ross McCann's early departure and replacement by Jack Brown. McCann has clearly benefited from a run in the team and has looked increasingly comfortable in Duhan van der Merwe's absence. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

In the first half Sharks seemed to be reluctant or unable to take on the Edinburgh defence. They had three opportunities to kick for good territory but opted for shots at goal.

Despite getting an early score in the second half, it remained tight and frustration boiled over into ill discipline and yellow cards abounded.

Sharks' defence was solid, though, and on reflection Andre Esterhuizen thoroughly deserved his player of the match accolade as his efforts alone probably won the game for them. He at least let his rugby do his talking unlike a number of his team-mates.

It's easy to look at the handling error that gave Sharks possession, which led to their last second try, as being the thing that cost us, but equally two missed conversions or being held up over the line at least twice has to be in that conversation too.

It was a great game and Edinburgh were the side that showed ambition, desire and grit. It went against us, but I was proud of how the team stood up in the face of such a task.

Sometimes it's more about character.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Grant Young
Fan writer

Are Glasgow limping to the end of the season? The Warriors looked majorly out of sorts in the lacklustre 14-6 victory on the road against Zebre Parma.

Was it a European hangover after the humbling by Leinster? The Warriors were nil at half-time and guilty of individual errors and kicking away possession as they again struggled with the press defence.

Zebre had multiple chances to build a bigger lead and coughed them up. Stronger teams would have had the game won at half-time.

The amount of frontline injuries and lack of player rest may now be catching up with Glasgow at the most important part of the season. Huw Jones hasn't played since the Six Nations, Scott Cummings has been a major loss in the second row and now the addition of ever-present Zander Fagerson to the injury list is a big worry.

This time last season Glasgow's starters basically named themselves, now it feels it is almost a who's available/fit?

There are bright spots the fans can cling on to. Josh McKay looked comfortable on his return at 15 and certainly adds to the depth of the squad.

However, the main change was when the departing Tom Jordan came off the bench. The speed and direction completely changed as Warriors went from a struggling side to the one we have seen the past few seasons.

Yes, the two scores came when the Italians had 14 men, but that was largely due to the increased pressure inspired by Jordan.

A top-four finish is confirmed but the team will want to go better than last year. A top-two place avoids the trip to South Africa, so beating Bulls on Friday is a must.

The South African side, currently one spot and four points behind the Warriors, arguably have an easier final two games so Glasgow will want to have it wrapped up before their final-day trip to runaway leaders Leinster.

Franco Smith will hope to see more of his injured stars return on Friday and for Glasgow to inject their usual quality back into the performance.

As usual on a Monday, we're giving you the chance to put your burning rugby questions about the game to our chief sports writer, Tom English.

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

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow lack strength in depth

The previous week's 52-0 European Champions Cup thrashing by Leinster appeared to be weighing heavily on Glasgow Warriors as they faced Zebre despite head coach Franco Smith freshening up his side with 10 changes to his starting line-up.

The Italian hosts threatened their first-ever win over Warriors as they led 6-0 at half-time and only when Matteo Canali was sent to the sin bin did the tide turn in the visitors' favour.

A lengthy injury list that has stretched Glasgow's squad to its limits was a contributing factor to 120 minutes of rugby without a point, but it was little wonder Smith was visibly angry at their display at half-time in Parma and made more changes to his side soon after.

Win over Bulls now a must

Any kind of victory will have been welcomed at half-time, especially as it secures a home tie in the quarter-finals.

However, the failure to add a bonus point could prove crucial in their head-to-head battle with Bulls to finish second in the table behind runaway leaders Leinster.

The Bulls did likewise in their 16-13 win away to Munster to remain four points behind Glasgow before they visit Scotstoun on Friday in what could be a season-defining game for both in the URC with only three games of the regular campaign remaining.

With Glasgow thereafter facing a difficult trip to face fifth-placed Benetton then finishing off away to imperious Leinster, it is surely a must-win for Smith's side if they are to finish second and secure home advantage in the last four should they reach that far.

Especially so considering Bulls' last two games are the easier on paper - at home to sixth-top Cardiff and bottom-of-the-table Dragons.

Jordan must start

To add to the importance of Friday's game, Bulls will arrive seeking revenge for last season's 21-16 defeat by Glasgow in Pretoria as the visitors secured the URC title.

Smith will no doubt change his starting line-up again and will by praying that some of his injury absentees return, with Zander Fagerson and Huw Jones said to be closest to battle readiness and captain and fellow Scotland international Sione Tuipulotu still not worth a risk.

You imagine that Tom Jordan will also be pencilled in given he helped change the game in Warriors' favour when he replaced Adam Hastings at centre after the break in Parma.

Glasgow did it the hard way last season, winning the semi-final and final away from home, but it would be difficult to see them secure a third title if they have to do the same this time.