Scottish Rugby

Edinburgh's European exit has a "silver lining" as it allows them to focus solely on chasing a play-off spot in the United Rugby Championship, says flanker Jamie Ritchie.

Having lost in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals to Sharks last weekend, Sean Everitt's side - currently ninth in the table - have five games remaining to make the top eight.

"We've got an exciting run-in and we believe we have opportunities to win all those games," said Ritchie as he gears up for Saturday's visit of Scarlets.

"I don't think we're a million miles away. We're showing a little bit of improvement every game.

"We played really well in the first half at the weekend. If we can put that into any performance we're going to be tough to beat.

"It's frustrating. The nature of the leagues and the competitions we play in, if you fall off for 10 or 20 minutes, you're going to get punished.

"Maybe when we are in those periods, it's how we manage the game. Those are things that we're trying to learn on the hoof at the moment, but we are improving.

"It would be a bit worrying if it wasn't in our hands. We've got massive opportunities in all these games. We've shown in the past that we can beat the teams that we're up against."

Image source, SNS

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Scotland are taking no notice of their long winless run in Italy and focussing only on "our performance and what we can do" to end it, says Helen Nelson.

The Scots are without a victory on Italian soil in 25 years, but fly-half Nelson says that is a stat the players "haven't spoken about at all as a group".

A point and a place below Italy in the Six Nations table, a rare win in the country would lift Scotland above Saturday's opponents.

"We know if we play to the best of our ability then that result will come and we can then look at that history afterwards," Nelson says.

"It's very much focus on us, on training, working on those things we took from the England game and how we can be better for Saturday.

"Italy, their strength comes in their unpredictability. We just need to back our defence, especially what we showed against France.

"It's going to need be a big defensive performance from us and then it's just building on the attack we showed against Wales."

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Lisa Thomson says Scotland have "no time to sulk" as they look to bounce back from their heavy defeat to England with a rare win in Italy.

On the back of some good form, the Scots were backed to give the English a stern test but fell to a 46-0 Six Nations drubbing.

Despite that, Scotland centre Thomson says the mood in the camp is "definitely on the up now" as the team eye a first win in Italy since 1999.

"We were disappointed with our performance on the pitch against England," Thomson adds.

"England played very well, credit to them. We just didn't show up as much as we wanted to.

"We've taken learnings from that and reflected on Sunday and Monday, had some conversations, so we're just looking forward to Italy now.

"It's week four of the Six Nations, you've got no time to sulk and drag that on."

Tom English and Andy Burke look back on a poor Scotland performance against England in the Women's Six Nations and preview the weekend ahead in the United Rugby Championship.

Give it a listen here.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Sean Everitt will crack down on "repeat offenders" as he bemoaned Edinburgh's penalty count after they crashed out of the Challenge Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Ill-discipline has plagued his side at times this season, allowing teams back in to games that should have been seen off comfortably - like January's away win over Scarlets, who Edinburgh face on Saturday.

"In that game, we got into the opposition 22 on five occasions and we scored points on four of them," Everitt said. "That's what you need to do to put away teams.

"We've been better and we've improved in that area but we haven't been spot on. It comes down to discipline and lack of concentration. In the second half, we gave them opportunities through ill-discipline, likewise in the Sharks game.

"In the first 40 minutes we conceded four penalties. At the end of the game it as 14. That tells the story. You can't win if you can't see 10 penalties in 40 minutes."

Edinburgh lead 16-14 in Durban, before conceding five kickable penalties in the second-half and allowing the Sharks into an unassailable lead.

"We had a chat this morning with regards to that. We've set ourselves goals. We're going to be a bit firmer on those goals.

"The individuals that are repeated offenders will face some consequences going forward, but we have to squash it, and sometimes consequences are a good way to do it."

The head coach also confirmed that next season he will give youth a chance, with no player currently signed up to replace departing number eight Bill Mata.

"We’ve got Connor Boyle, young Ben Muncaster, we've got Tom Dodd, and they're waiting in the wings for the opportunity. Every time they've played for Edinburgh, they've done exceptionally well, so it’s time for us to invest in them as well.

"Then, we have the likes of Tom Currie and Liam McConnell, the captain of the under-20s. We have got a wealth of talent in those positions.

"It will be good for us to develop from within. It's good for team culture and it's good for us to do that from a sustainability point of view."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Attack coach Matt Banahan has heaped praise on Rhona Lloyd as the winger eyes a 50th Scotland appearance this weekend.

Lloyd, 27, made her debut in 2016 and has gone on to score 22 tries for her country - although it is unknown if that makes her Scotland's all-time top try scorer, given the poor statistical records of the national women's side in its early days.

"Rhona is a great ball of energy and a very talented player," said Banahan, who played on the wing for England and Bath.

"To be able to flip between 15s and 7s is a talent in itself, because they are skill-sets that are very different. Even though they're both rugby, one is very isolated and one is supported by friends.

"Her energy and the way she wants to learn and develop as a player is fantastic. If she could get to 50 it'll be amazing, and I'm sure she'll get past that by a long way."

If selected for Six Nations duty on Saturday, Lloyd will be part of a Scotland team looking for a first win on Italian soil since 1999.

"Records are always there to be broken," Banahan said. "We've done enough over the last eight to nine months, broken the record of games won - so why can't we go over there and do another one?

"Italy played well against France, they're a far more dangerous team than when they travel. They're a team that want to play with momentum, play quick ball, shift it. It’s very unpredictable what they're going to do.

"As long as we stay connected and know what we're going to do, I think we'll be able to go there and put in a performance we'll be proud of."

Sandy Smith
Edinburgh fan columnist

It was always going to be tough to win in South Africa against a Sharks side that has found its groove.

Edinburgh didn’t play that badly and we definitely improved on our previous performance in Durban. Even the margin of defeat tells that story pretty concisely. A six-point difference as opposed to a 10-point one and three tries apiece as opposed to 3-1 against.

Unfortunately it means little in a practical sense. We are still out of the Challenge Cup and we are rapidly running out of games and chances to ‘take the learnings’ from what has gone before.

It's not too difficult to see what this Edinburgh team is missing. A cursory glance at the statistical involvements of Sharks' wingers - Makazole Mapimpi and Werner Kok - compared with Edinburgh's - Duhan van der Merwe and Jake Henry - tells you everything you need to know.

I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Mike Blair. At least under his watch we were entertaining. I was totally prepared to sacrifice such frivolities but only on the proviso that we start winning, but we really aren't doing that often enough to make up for how one dimensional we look.

This week it’s back to the URC and Scarlets are the visitors to the Hive. They have only won once away from home this season and even that was still in Wales. We also have a recent victory against them to point to when, despite seemingly stopping playing in the second half, we ran out 19-31 winners.

Five games remain of the regular season. Last year 48 points were required to make the top eight. The year before it was 50 points. We are currently on 34 so you’d have to say three wins in those remaining games is the minimum target.

It has to start this weekend.

• You can read more of Sandy's work on his blog The Burgh Watch, external

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Stafford McDowall has warned his Glasgow Warriors team-mates not to be fooled by Sharks' lowly position in the table as they sides prepare to lock horns at Scotstoun this weekend.

Sharks, seeking a third consecutive United Rugby Championship win, are languishing in 13th spot while Glasgow have their eyes on a top-two finish and home semi-final.

"I said to everyone else that you can probably get rid of their start of season form now," said McDowall.

"Everyone knows that they've grown into the team that we all thought they were going to be this season.

"All their Springboks are back fully fit and rested from the World Cup. We know how dangerous they are. It's one loose kick and then you're under your own posts.

"We know the X-Factor they've got out wide and also the dominance they're providing up front."

Glasgow last week confirmed the return of Adam Hastings from Gloucester for next season and McDowall reckons his fellow Scotland international's experience in the English Premiership will be invaluable.

"He's a good friend of mine and an unbelievably talented player as well," he added.

"The whole squad's really excited to have someone of his calibre back in and really add to us.

"Everything that he'll have learned and taken away from playing at Gloucester, he'll be able to bring back here, playing a different style of rugby in the Premiership.

"We know he's the type of player that fits our game-plan perfectly and the way we want to play."

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It may have been another Six Nations weekend, but there were still Scots in action south of the border as the Allianz Cup semi-finals took place.

Saracens booked their place in the final, holding off an Exeter Chiefs fightback to win 36-29. Isla Alejandro made a rare start on the wing, while hooker Nic Haynes - who played for Edinburgh in the recent Celtic Challenge - came off the bench.

Winger Eilidh Sinclair started on the losing side, as did loosehead prop Demi Swann who scored a try at the death.

There was also the first leg of a fifth place play-off between Loughborough Lightning and Sale Sharks, which saw scrum-half Jenny Maxwell make her first club appearance in two years after injury.

The 32-cap number nine helped Lightning to a win over a Sharks side that included two Scots - Izzy McGuire-Evans at full-back and former Scotland winger Evie Tonkin on the wing.

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Glasgow need to use their European disappointment on the road as motivation to secure home advantage for the knock-out stages of the URC, according to assistant coach Pete Murchie.

Glasgow lost their Champions Cup quarter-final away to Harlequins last time out, but return to league action on Friday, as they welcome South African side Sharks to Scotstoun.

The Warriors currently sit second in the league table, with the top four sides guaranteed a home quarter-final, and the top two a home semi-final, should they progress.

“We were away from home [in Europe] for a reason," Murchie said. "There’s always things to learn from every situation. We could and should have had a home tie if we’d done things differently but we didn’t. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, almost. If we want to keep it in our control then we’ll need to take care of our own business."

The Sharks have ditched their inconsistent early-season form to record four wins in a row - including two victories over Edinburgh - and Murchie accepts his side now need to sharpen up if they want to keep things in their own hands.

“We want everything to be firing. We want to take our opportunities in attack. They’re big men, big units who are very physical and they’ve got a lot of x-factor within that.

"Defensively, you’ve got to be on it for 80 minutes because if you clock off, they’ve got individuals who can hurt you from anywhere. We need to stay on it and make sure we nullify them and get the ball back."

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With Edinburgh following Glasgow through the exit door of European competition, it's time to have a look around the continent to see which Scots did manage to progress.

Gloucester were the first side to their book their place in a semi-final against Benetton, beating Ospreys in the Challenge Cup on Friday night.

Glasgow-bound fly-half Adam Hastings starred, with one particular piece of skill doing the rounds on social media, while centre Chris Harris played the majority of the second-half after coming on as a sub.

Northampton Saints crushed Bulls in their Champions Cup quarter-final, with Scotland-capped fly-half Jaco van der Walt coming on for the final 15 minutes for the South African side.

None of Elliot Millar-Mills, Rory Hutchinson, Charlie Savala or Robbie Smith were involved for the victors - but Edinburgh-bound prop Paul Hill did come off the bench.

Finally, Blair Kinghorn put on a show as Toulouse thrashed Exeter Chiefs to set up a Champions Cup semi against Harlequins, scoring two second-half tries and kicking 13 points.

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Scotland lock Louise McMillan admitted her side were "far from where we want to be" as they suffered another heavy defeat to England.

After seven consecutive wins and a narrow loss to France, the Scots were backed to give England a much more competitive game but lost 46-0 at the Hive Stadium.

"We did some really good stuff, had stuff to be proud of, but moments that were so far away from what we want to be," McMillan told BBC One.

"A team like England will put you under pressure like that, they really put us under the thumb and didn't let us out.

"We need to cut out our silly little mistakes, and we'll be right up there. Some of those tries [we conceded], I feel like it's not who we are and not who we want to be. We're really disappointed with that."

There is still a possibility that Bryan Easson's side could rack up three wins in this Six Nations - a feat not accomplished since 2005 - but they'll need to beat Italy and Ireland in the next fortnight to do so.

"We know we have the systems and we trust in ourselves to do that," McMillan added. "We need to turn around, have a good little rest weekend and go straight back into it."

Scotland haven't beaten England since 1999 in women's rugby, and that wait continued as the Red Roses won 46-0 at the Hive Stadium on Saturday.

We asked for your thoughts:

Alec: If the women's game wants equality it means hearing the brickbats as well as the plaudits. That was a very poor, verging on embarrassing, performance.

Stuart: I had hoped the progress the team were making would have narrowed the gap and meant a closer scoreline. It seems the England juggernaut keeps on rolling. Onwards and upwards though - let's finish the tournament on a high.

Paul: England are just too big and too physical for us to cope with and, as a result, we had no territory at all in the game. Our kicking was poor and there were far too many missed tackles, which did not help matters.

Colin: Scotland lack pure aggression. The Red Roses rely on their forwards' bulk to dominate - they play one-dimensional rugby. It's crucial to compete in the forwards, or we'll lose.

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Injured number eight Jade Konkel says Scotland need time to keep developing in order to close the gap on England.

After a narrow loss to France in the Six Nations, there were hopes the Scots could give the Red Roses more of a contest than recent meetings between the sides. That failed to materialise, as England blew them away 46-0.

"If you look back at 2013, Ireland were the Grand Slam winners and the team that were toughest to play against," Konkel told BBC One.

"Then England get professional contracts and sky rocket above everybody else and they have had that for a substantial amount of time.

"That is not to take credit away from their depth and calibre of players, and you are starting to see some improvement now with the Scotland professional contracts coming in - but it has only been a year so there is still a way to go.

"You cannot speed that process up."

Talking about the game itself, played in windy conditions at a sold-out Hive Stadium, Konkel highlighted where Scotland went wrong.

"Scotland's defence in the first two rounds was exceptional, but they hadn't come across an attack like England, and it was evident there was problems there," she said.

"The line-out has been a problem over the past couple rounds. The completion of line-outs is pretty low. If you don't have an attacking line-out or a dominant set-piece, that leads to problems in attack.

"We didn't see much Scotland attack at all and very limited entries into the 22. If you're not getting into the 22, you won't score points and it's impossible to win the game."

We asked for your thoughts after Edinburgh's 36-30 loss to the Sharks in Durban saw them crash out of the European Challenge Cup.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Andrew: The Edinburgh pack's efforts made the score look respectable but we struggled to get over the gain line in open play. Attack was too lateral and dominated by Sharks' aggressive line speed, like last time. We seem to have no plan B.

James: Scottish teams at national and club level are never going to win anything as long as they continue to shoot themselves in the foot by giving away constant penalties. Why isn't this issue being addressed effectively? These players are professionals. They should be able to learn their lesson and be better disciplined.

Bob: Every game, Scottish teams concede too many penalties, be it Scotland, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Is it coaching? If so, the coaches have to change. If it is the players, they have to change. They cannot win matches losing the penalty count so badly.

Andrew: A great first-half performance. With the journey in their legs, it was always a tough ask over 80 minutes. For me, Duhan van der Merwe has a habit of going missing in too many of these matches.

Adam: The Edinburgh attack seems to have been blunted in recent times, specifically the back line. Ben Healy can kick but appears less comfortable in open play. The four Champions Cup semi-finalists are all great attacking sides. Glasgow are a great attacking side. Edinburgh need the attack coach to step up.

Jamie: After a positive first half, Edinburgh yet again cost themselves with a slow start to the second, and poor discipline. It's been a frustrating season as an Edinburgh fan, watching them throw away leads in the second halves of games. They really need to learn how to push on and control games.

Jim: Both Edinburgh and Sharks are much less than the sum of their parts. Edinburgh just don't make the correct decisions. It seems like they have leadership issues both on and off park.

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Edinburgh prop Luan de Bruin will join Premiership side Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal in the summer.

The 31-year-old has made 25 appearances for the capital club since signing from Leicester Tigers in 2021, scoring one try.

He will reunite with former Edinburgh teammates Cammy Hutchison and Murray McCallum, as well as Steve Diamond, who he worked under in Scotland and is now in charge at Newcastle.

On the move, the South African said: “I’m very excited to be returning to the Premiership, and to be working with Steve Diamond again.

“He’s a hard man but he’s very fair, and that’s all you can ask for.

“I really enjoyed my time playing in the Premiership with Leicester Tigers a few years back, and I was always keen to do it again if the opportunity came up.

“I’ve played against Newcastle a couple of times, and it’s always a tough battle. You know you’re going to get a hard, physical game, and you better be ready playing against any Falcons side."

Scotland fans, what did you make of Scotland's defeat to England in the Women's Six Nations?

Send us your thoughts on the performance here.

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Scotland head coach Bryan Easson spoke to BBC One after his side's heavy defeat to England:

"England were outstanding. Once you give them ball on the front foot they will put you under pressure. We didn't really fire a shot and I'm disappointed with that.

"England are very physical, and it's very hard to stop them once that happens - their ruck speed is amazing.

"The first two weeks have been very good but we will draw a line under this and learn from it.

"Today was poor - it wasn't us. We put in good performances against Wales and France but we let England off the hook."

Edinburgh fans, what are your thoughts on the performance in the Challenge Cup defeat to Sharks?

Have your say here.