Scottish Rugby

Grant Young
Fan writer

Sensational, fantastic and professional. Glasgow Warriors put Scarlets to the sword with ease on Saturday and climbed to second in the URC table.

Franco Smith's side righted the wrongs of the tight win over Cardiff, with Kyle Rowe and Henco Venter both immense in a statement performance.

Rowe is playing with the confidence gained from a return to international rugby, and has reached a new level in recent weeks.

The attention for Glasgow now switches to the Champions Cup and a real opportunity against in-form Harlequins on Friday.

We could see the return of Jack Demsey, Kyle Steyn and potentially even Sione Tuipulotu from the injury he limped off with at Murrayfield against England.

Glasgow's strength in depth has been very impressive this season, but Quins will pose a completely different challenge.

Glasgow can take inspiration from past European successes on the road - famous victories over Leicester and Racing 92 spring to mind - as they continue this memorable season.

Image source, Getty Images

England international prop Paul Hill will join Edinburgh from Northampton Saints at the end of this season on a two-year deal, the club have announced.

Hill has made 187 appearances in nine years with Northampton, won the Premiership in 2019, and earned the last of six England caps in 2021.

The 29-year-old moves north as a replacement for WP Nel, who will retire from rugby at the end of the current campaign.

“This is a really exciting challenge and one that I can’t wait to get stuck into," Hill said.

"From everything I’ve read and heard, Edinburgh is an amazing club and city, while it will be great to test myself in a new league in the URC.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Northampton, and I can’t speak highly enough of the people connected to the club and fans who’ve backed me throughout my career so far. However, after nine seasons, the time was right to move on. My family and I are really excited about this move.

"I know I’ve still got a huge amount to offer. Given my experience, I can hopefully help out some of the younger Scottish props coming through the system too."

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt added: "We’re really happy to secure the signature of a player of Paul’s [Hill] quality and experience. He’s played a lot of rugby at a top level and his arrival will only help drive standards and competition at the tighthead position.

"With WP [Nel] hanging up his boots at the end of the year, it was imperative we recruited well in that department. We feel Paul has all the attributes to succeed in our pack, and he can hit the ground running straight away this summer."

Image source, SNS

Ally Miller says the "faith" shown in him was a "big factor" in him resigning with Glasgow Warriors.

The back-rower has signed a new contract with the Scotstoun club until the summer of 2026.

Eleven of Miller's 26 appearances for Glasgow since switching from Edinburgh in 2021 have come this season in a breakthrough campaign.

“I’m really excited to re-sign,” Miller told Warriors club media, external. “Since arriving at the club, I’ve been really fortunate to receive the opportunities that I have, but I’ve also had a few injuries.

“I’ve loved the stretch of game time that I’ve had this season, and knowing that Franco [Smith] has the confidence in you and the squad to get the job done is testament to how much everyone is pulling in the right direction.

“I’ve just enjoyed getting my head down and working hard to get back into action, and everyone at the club has been brilliant. That was a big factor in my decision to renew, because knowing that people at the club have faith in you and what you contribute to the team is massive. I’m loving being a part of the club, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I get.”

Glasgow head coach Smith added: “Ally has shown great dedication to come back from the long-term injury he suffered last season, and he has taken every opportunity that has come his way with both hands.

“He has been a big contributor for us this season, not just on the field but around the training environment. He’s a very detailed player and person and he gives his all across the board.

“We’re looking forward to helping to further develop Ally and help him become the best version of himself.”

Image source, SNS

Tighthead props D'Arcy Rae and Angus Williams have extended their contracts with Edinburgh.

Scotland international Rae has signed a one-year-deal, while Williams - who qualifies for Scotland despite hailing from New Zealand - has joined up for another two seasons.

While Rae has struggled for game time, with just three appearances all season, the 29-year-old is "really happy" to extend his stay in the capital.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the east so far, getting to know a new club, squad, and fan base," he said on extending terms with Edinburgh.

“Working with Sean [Everitt] and Stevie [Lawrie] has been great. We’ve got a really strong group of props at the club, who all do a top job of driving each other on."

In that crop, is Williams, who noted he has "developed massively" since "settling in his home of Edinburgh".

“The club is in a great place across the board," he said. "Sean has come in and challenged us as a group and I feel we are in a brilliant place to excel this season.”

“I have developed massively since joining Edinburgh and it’s credit to the environment created by the players and coaches at the club."

Head coach Everitt expressed his delight at securing the services of two "quality" players beyond this season.

On their extensions he said, “Angus and D’Arcy both have a bit of grit and resolve about their game, while they enjoy the daily grind of improving themselves.

“They are both really consistent trainers who bring the same energy and commitment every day. I’ve been really impressed with both players during my time at the club.

“It’s brilliant to have two quality players signed up for next season, adding further strength and depth to the tighthead position.”

Image source, SNS

We asked for your thoughts on Scotland's narrow defeat to France in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Dave: French defence was too good in the second half but was hoping we had a wee bit more creativity. Deserved a losing bonus point at the very least.

Brian: Great and gutsy performance by the Scottish women. If they can perform in this manner throughout the Six Nations, they will finish third. That would be a terrific achievement.

David: Decent defensive efforts in patches, but the attack is just non-existent.

Sam: Great game. Close and so much better than last year. These Scottish girls are really improving and I can’t wait for World Cup 2025. Come on Scotland!

CP: Would have been very fair reflection if the match had remained at 8-5. What a difference a year makes. Go girls, a great match to watch too - full of resilience, guile & class

Glasgow fans are delighted after their side's dominating win over Scarlets in the URC.

Kenny: Toony’s tombola has been succeeded by Franco’s fraternity. The way he’s got this entire squad contributing is really special. Right now it feels like whichever 23 step up, it might not be perfect, but it will be effective.

Peter: Glasgow looked good but Scarlets were poor. Glasgow left a lot of points on the field and were guilty of some white line fever at times but you can’t argue with 45 points and no tries conceded.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh fans are less pleased as their team lost out to Sharks in South Africa.

Andrew: Edinburgh just don’t look like a team. There was plenty individual efforts but overpowered yet again. I have no idea what an Edinburgh attacking shape looks like and if the players do they can’t achieve it because of unforced errors.

Ian: Sean Everitt surely doesn't get a second season. Tough ask to get anything off a team full of Springboks coming into form, but the attack is non existent.

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland prop Heather Lockhart insists there's no need for Bryan Easson's side to make "drastic" changes after their dramatic Six Nations defeat to France.

"It wasn't to be but I'm really proud of the Scotland girls and what they put in today," she said on BBC One.

"They'll be disappointed with the result and disappointed with the way the game finished with France getting the try at the end of there.

"It was similar to what we saw last week. We maybe just lacked accuracy in key moments of the game.

"The second-half was slightly different with them going into the wind. They played a really great territory game in the first-half, that became a little bit more difficult for Scotland.

"I don't think they need to go away and change anything drastic, it's just that accuracy when the pressure is really mounting."

It was a mixed bag for the Scottish sides in the URC this weekend.

Edinburgh suffered back-to-back defeats in South Africa as they were outmuscled by the star-studded Sharks, while Glasgow moved up to second with a first league win at Scarlets in eight years.

What did you make of the games? Have your say here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Did you watch Scotland's Women's Six Nations defeat by France? What did you think of the result and the performance?

Have your say here.

Head coach Bryan Easson believes Scotland are "going places" after running France close in the Women's Six Nations.

The Scots narrowly missed out on a losing bonus point as a late converted try gave the French a 15-5 win in Edinburgh, which ended a seven-match winning run for Easson's side.

"It was really encouraging in so many ways," he said.

"Defensively we put our bodies on the line. Our lineout defence was outstanding, put them under pressure. I thought we pressurised them all the way. They deserved a point out of that, they deserved a bonus point.

"We are going places. We are a team that's going in a really good direction.

"England here next. I know we will put in another performance that will make us all proud."

Image source, SNS

Did you watch Edinburgh's second game in South Africa? What did you think of the result and the performance?

Have your say here.

Image source, SNS

As Scotland gear up to take on France in the second round of the Six Nations, here are the most eye-catching stats:

• Scotland have won their last three Six Nations games, their longest run in the championship since 2005.

• France are unbeaten across their last 12 Six Nations games against Scotland and have kept the Scots from scoring in seven of those games including their last meeting which finished 55-0.

• Scotland have won their last two Six Nations home games after winning just one out of the previous 12. The most recent of which came by a 26-point margin against Ireland (36-10), their largest win since 2003.

• France have won five of their last seven Six Nations away games with an average of 29 points.

• In the first round of the Six Nations this year Scotland recorded the highest tackle success rate of any team at 97%. They only missed five of their 169 attempts at a tackle against Wales; no other team missed fewer than 16 tackles in the match.

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt says his returning Scotland internationals will be "raring to go" ahead of their clash against Sharks.

“It’s great to welcome back some more of our Scotland internationalists," Everitt said.

"Guys like Jamie [Ritchie] and Pierre [Schoeman] bring a lot of quality and experience to the pack, and they’ll be raring to go after getting a bit of time off after the Six Nations.

“We’ve spoken this week about remaining resilient and sticking to our game plan, while staying strong mentally when coming under pressure.

“Sharks are strong at home but we’re ready for the challenge and look forward to the opportunity of representing our city and fans while here on South African soil.”

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Off the back of a 17-13 win against Cardiff last week that felt more like a defeat, Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith says his team "must be realistic".

Smith believes the stop-start nature of the season has had an impact.

"There were lots of breaks, we played three games in six weeks which was a really stop-start affair with different players, different squads as a collective," Smith said.

"We didn't play any games in preparation [for last week] and we've got a big load of games coming or possible games coming in the next three months."

Looking ahead to their clash against 13th place Scarlets, the South African says the squad do not look at the table as a rule.

"We've got an agreement here, we don't look at the table, not if we're at the bottom of it and not if we're at the top of it. No interest in focusing on who places where.

"We need to win and if we play well and we win then that will look after itself."

The last time Glasgow travelled to Parc y Scarlets was for the Challenge Cup semi-final last season where they came out on top in the 35-17 clash.

"Look, that scoreline is not a true reflection of the game," Smith said. "I think with 12 minutes to go, it was still very tight, within one score, so we ended up scoring in the last action of the game, which does make it look a little bit like we've won with ease, but it's not true.

"We know that they are a tough team at home, specifically. We've asked more from the boys this week, we have to be better at what we do this week.

"We have the capacity and we have the drive to do that, so I'm excited for the team go out there."

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has welcomed the return of five internationals to his side.

George Horne starts ahead of Jamie Dobie as Rory Darge comes in for Matt Fagerson. Scott Cummings starts instead of Alex Samuel as Kyle Rowe is favoured over Kyle Steyn this weekend. Zander Fagerson returns as he starts ahead of Lucio Sordoni.

Glasgow Warriors: McKay, Rowe, McDowall (C), Jordan, Cancelliere, Weir, Horne; McBeth, Hiddleston, Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, Miller, Darge, Venter

Replacements: Matthews, Dell, Sordoni, Manjezi, Brown, Gordon, Dobie, Munn

Image source, SNS

Scotland internationals Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Jamie Ritchie return to the fold for Edinburgh's game against Sharks after the Six Nations.

They replace Boan Venter, Dave Cherry, Ben Muncaster and Mark Bennett.

James Lang could make his 50th cap from the bench while last week's debutant Jake Henry continues in the starting XV after his impressive performance against Stormers.

Connor Boyle is named on the bench and could make his first appearance since mid February.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Henry, Currie, Dean, Van der Merwe, Healy, Vellacott; Schoeman, Ashman, Nel, Hodgson, Skinner, Ritchie, Watson, Mata

Replacements: Cherry, Venter, Sebastian, Sykes, Boyle, Shiel, Scott, Lang

Bryan Easson has made just two changes to his side that reigned victorious over Wales last weekend. Louise McMillan gets her 50th cap as Elis Martin makes her first start.

Do you agree with his choices? Are you heading to The Hive on Saturday to support the team?

Give us your thoughts here.

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson is anticipating a "chaotic" match against France in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday, but says they won't be fazed by the opposition's style.

France won the fixture between the sides 55-0 last year, but Easson says Scotland have to stick to their "processes and systems" if they are to improve on that scoreline.

"They’re a physical side," he said. "They are top three in the world for a reason. They've been consistent with their performances. But they are really physical, but they're also chaotic. They play typical French, we know what to expect.

"We've trained quite a bit of chaotic stuff this week, so that we know how to expect that. But we've also got to make sure that we don't get thrown into that as well.

"We want to concentrate on our performance. So, we know what to expect from them, but we know if we stick to our processes, stick to our systems, trust the system, it'll be a tough game. France at home or playing France at any time is always tough."