Scottish Rugby

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Scotland international Ben Muncaster has signed a new two-year deal with Edinburgh.

The 23-year-old back row has scored five tries in six club appearances this season and made his international debut against Portugal during the Autumn Nations Series.

"I'm incredibly proud to re-sign with Edinburgh," Muncaster said. "It was a no-brainer.

"This is my hometown club, and I'm loving playing my rugby here under Sean Everitt. The team is playing some exciting rugby, and I'm really enjoying my own game as well.

"I'm excited for the future. There is plenty of room for growth and we're moving in the right direction as a squad."

Head coach Everitt added: "Ben is a hugely important player for this club, and we're delighted that he has committed his future to Edinburgh.

"He's a powerful ball-carrier, a strong defender, and a real competitor. Securing the services of one of Scotland's best young back-rowers is a major boost for the club."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

In the beginning, there was Hughenden, then Firhill, Scotstoun, and on one almost glorious night in the Pro14 final of 2019, Celtic Park.

Glasgow have brought their rugby to four different stadiums in the city and on Sunday they'll make it five when they host Edinburgh at Hampden in the 1872 Cup.

There's been a lot of talk of history around this fixture, a lot of buzz about the continuing story of the reigning URC champions. It's a terrific one, that's for certain. Edinburgh folk must be fed up listening to it, mind you.

How about something on how great they both have been and could be if you combined the best of east and west since the URC's humble origins 23 years ago? A dream team for the ages. There's fun to be had with this. Blazing rows, too.

Full-back: In rugby terms, it has to be Stuart Hogg. Moving on…

Right wing: Consistently excellent and deserving of more from his club career, Darcy Graham has been a joy. His appetite for ball is through the roof. His appreciation of space and execution when he finds that space is world class.

Outside centre: More Glasgow contenders and Huw Jones makes it. A URC winner, a guy with incredible class and an attacking game to die for. He had incredible highs early in his career, then a whole load of lows, but he's been more of a complete these past few years then he was when shooting the lights out for Scotland.

Inside centre: How can you separate them? Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are the most devastating midfield combination in the history of Scottish rugby. We'll be waiting generations to see a partnership as good as this.

Left wing: A victory for Van der Merwe - DTH van der Merwe. Big Duhan hasn't done enough in an Edinburgh shirt. Tommy Seymour came incredibly close, but the Canadian flyer, and try scorer against Munster in the storied final of 2015, is in.

Fly-half: Like Darcy Graham, a guy whose medal cabinet does nothing to reflect the scale of his brilliance. Finn Russell hasn't played in this competition since 2018, but banked a lot of wondrous moments before he hit Paris.

Scrum-half: It could have been Greig Laidlaw, but at the risk of being accused of recency bias - it's not, I'm ancient, I remember them from way back - George Horne and his capacity to play at speed while cutting defences to shreds is remarkable. Niko Matawalu had that quality too, but Horne is still doing it now. Glasgow's third highest try scorer.

Loosehead: Quite a few heavyweight contenders, not least the Lion Ryan Grant and soon-to-be Lion, Pierre Schoeman. The guy we're going for was never a Lion, but he was such a great player. Allan Jacobsen was a colossus, a ferocious competitor, beloved by his fellow players, which tells you a lot.

Hooker: For fear of being accused of favouring regular guests on our podcast, we're not going with Fraser Brown even though he was magnificent for Glasgow. Neutrality, see? Ross Ford takes it. Longevity, quality, physicality. A serious player.

Tighthead: Zander Fagerson. Already well on his way to being one of the great Scottish players. Has everything. A generational prop.

Second-row: We want an other-worldly feel to this team, so Leone Nakarawa, one of the heroes of 2015, is a must-have. A mesmeric off-loader, a skill-set that made you gulp, a running game that was pure magic.

Second-row: Tough. Al Kellock? The Gray boys? A number of others. All would be great picks, but Grant Gilchrist has been a great Edinburgh servant and has come roaring back to form this season. Exceptional lineout man. Made his Edinburgh debut more than 13 years ago. That's insane.

Blindside: The competition is fierce and so is Matt Fagerson, perpetual motion, savagely physical, a bedrock of a champion team last season.

Openside: His body of work has been brilliant for years. He's had dips in form but the autumn suggested his belligerent self is returning fast. Jamie Ritchie at his best is a poaching king and an attritional giant. Massively influential when in full flow.

No 8: And to round off the East-West Dream Team since the dawn of the Pro12 - Bill Mata. Yes, there were most consistent players but show me one who had the genius Mata had. He could do things few other players on the planet could do.

We could do another version of this - give it a go and let us know - but these lads in their pomp would take a bit of beating.

What is Scotland and Edinburgh winger Dracy Graham's "secret sauce"?

Former scrum half Rory Lawson reveals all in this week's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

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Sean Everitt is optimistic his "much-improved" Edinburgh side can stage an 1872 Cup upset against favourites Glasgow Warriors in the first leg at Hampden on Sunday.

Edinburgh missed out on the URC play-offs last season while Glasgow went on to claim a memorable title success, and are currently five places above their inter-city rivals in the table.

Warriors are aiming to win the 1872 for the third season running, although Edinburgh won the second leg at Murrayfield last term.

"For us, it's a challenge," head coach Everitt said. "Obviously, they're the URC champions. They've done well in the Champions Cup.

"The perception is out there that Glasgow are probably favourites if you look at where they are from a form point of view and where they finished up last year.

"In saying that, we're a much-improved team from last year. Our all-round game has improved. Last year, we were more defensive, kicking game-focused.

"I think our attack has improved a lot, as you can see from the last two games we've played at home. So it makes for an interesting derby. Any team can be beaten on any day. We're looking at this one as optimistically as we can."

Everitt, whose side are without an away win since April, feels the fact Glasgow have moved the match away from Scotstoun to Hampden, in order to accommodate a larger crowd, could serve as a leveller.

"I think it does change the dynamic," he said. "I think the change of surface for both teams from (artificial to grass) does neutralise it somewhat. We hopefully will get some preparation on grass this week and I'm sure they will as well."

Everitt expressed sympathy for Freddy Douglas after the 19-year-old back-rower - who made his debut for both Scotland and Edinburgh last month - was ruled out until February with an ankle injury.

"I had a nice chat to him this morning and he's still upbeat," he said.

"He's got a good year behind him and going into the new year he should be ready in the first week of February so he'll be able to contest the Six Nations for Scotland as well."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rory Sutherland says Glasgow Warriors must ensure the Hampden factor works to their benefit when they face Edinburgh in the 1872 Cup on Sunday.

Warriors have switched the first leg of the festive double-header from their Scotstoun home to the national football stadium to boost crowd numbers. Around 24,000 tickets have been sold, more than three times the Scotstoun capacity.

Some Glasgow fans are concerned, however, that Franco Smith's side are giving up the advantage of playing on their home pitch, where they have built a formidable record.

"It's something that we've talked about this week," prop Sutherland told BBC Scotland.

"We need to make sure that it's not a negative factor for us not being at home in Scotstoun. It's something we're really excited about.

"It'll be really good for the fans as well. We'll be able to get a few more thousand people in to come and watch the derby."

Sutherland has experienced the Scottish derby from both sides having spent seven seasons at Edinburgh.

"Obviously, you're playing against your mates that you've been with in the Scotland set-up and for me, obviously guys that I've played with at Edinburgh before," he said.

"It's about taking that emotional side out of it and just treating it like any other game. But I'm looking forward to playing against those guys."

Grant Young
Fan writer

Round two of the Champions Cup was ticked off with Glasgow securing two bonus points amid a nagging sense of what might have been after a hard-fought, one-point defeat at Toulon.

A much changed and youthful Warriors starting 15 caught the full brunt of an early Toulon onslaught. As the hosts' discipline disintegrated, Glasgow were unable to take advantage with several turnovers in possessions in scoring areas or just gifting field positions to the French giants.

The try scored by Josh McKay was classic Glasgow. Fully in flight, it was a try the fans have been used to seeing as the ball was moved seamlessly through the backs into the open space.

When changes were made shortly after the break it became a noticeably edgier affair, though managed well by George Horne.

A brilliant first try by Jare Oguntibeju in his third start for the Warriors capped a majorly impressive debut stretch for the young second row. It was a late score by Johnny Matthews that helped secure the bonus points as boos from the home crowd rained down.

Seven points from the opening two games leaves Warriors second in Pool 3 behind Toulon. It could have been even better had we been able to sneak a win in France.

However, now all the focus shifts to the important battle of the 1872 Cup and Glasgow's first game at Hampden Park.

Warriors v Edinburgh doesn't take much to hype up and the battle of the two Scottish teams at this time of year is always special.

It's also the chance for players to get the better of a potential rival for a Scotland shirt. It's going to be a cracker.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Typical Edinburgh. I said we needed 10 tries to silence our critics and we only managed eight. That's just not good enough.

In all seriousness though, that was as strong a performance on both sides of the ball that I can recall seeing Edinburgh play for quite some time.

The star of the show was as easy a man of the match choice as you can imagine. Two tries, two assists and there were even a couple of turnovers in there. You could almost see the panic in the Bayonne players when Darcy Graham got the ball. I think it's fairly safe to say the wee man is back at his peak.

And that man of the match performance wasn't because he was alone in having a great game. Wes Goosen was also outstanding and on another day his efforts might have got him that honour.

Our entire back row was a menace to Bayonne throughout and it was great to see Tom Dodd get on and grab a brace of tries. He's not flashy but he's a hard worker and every time I've seen him this season he's been right at the coalface.

The midfield combination of Mosese Tuipulotu and Matt Currie is quickly becoming the one I favour and I'm sure Sean Everitt is probably of the same mind. Defensively they are solid and both added first tries of the season to their names.

I wouldn't be surprised if we are going to be entertained by brother v brother on Sunday at Hampden. Unless of course Franco Smith plays a hooker at 12. The senior Tuipulotu is a man riding high on the crest of a wave but who better to derail that than your own kin?

It's a hard task for Edinburgh. Some would say an impossible one. We may be finding our feet but it's a balance that's in its early stages and Glasgow Warriors are comfortable in their abilities.

They've only lost twice all season in the league and Edinburgh are yet to win away. We haven't won in Glasgow since 2018. No one will be betting on an east coast win.

So all the pressure is on Glasgow to carry on their great form. Imagine how embarrassing a loss would be to such a mediocre Edinburgh team?

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Glasgow and Edinburgh had contrasting fortunes in their Europe this wek, now we are offering you the chance to throw questions at our rugby writers Tom English and Andy Burke.

Send them in via this link,, external external and they will be answered on this page later in the week.

We asked for your views on Edinburgh's emphatic 52-12 win over Bayonne in the Challenge Cup and Glasgow's narrow 30-29 Champions Cup defeat by Toulon.

Here's what some of you said:

Derek: Darcy Graham was unplayable, Marshal Sykes a beast, Jamie Ritchie's best game in yonks, Ali Price controlled the game! Job done.

Chris: Darcy plays a different game to everyone else. Just an absolute joy to watch. With this scoreline, it makes next week even more interesting. Will be an absolute banger!!

Neil: Great to see Darcy Graham in peak form. When he's fully fit and healthy he is so elusive and could dance around defenders in a phone box. Bayonne just had no answer for him.

Steve: Finally a performance we knew was possible with this group of excellent players. Bayonne were made to look ordinary and they certainly are not. This on top of the close Gloucester loss with those up-and-coming players are the two most hopeful displays for a long long time. This should now set the standard.

Geoff: If only Edinburgh could play like that every week!

Warriors fans, we wanted to know what you made of your side's narrow Champions Cup defeat by Toulon.

Here's what some of you said:

Graeme: There were a few points in that game that a Glasgow team from a few years ago would have buckled; not getting the scores when playing 13 and being down to 14 and Toulon cranking up the pressure. But this team has more grit than I have seen for a long time, very impressive, two well-earned and important points, well done!

Jamie: Franco Smith picked inexperienced Glasgow players going to the hotbed of French rugby with a partisan crowd and yet the team performed well. There were missed chances but there is a robust team there. Both prop positions a concern, Zander Fagerson's workload high. Second row now looks solved with Jare Oguntibeju replacing Richie Gray. Tom Jordan needed a new contract 6 months ago.

Stephen: Glasgow showed just by the side they put out in the first half the belief in the ethos that Franco Smith has installed at the club. Toulon were at full strength and at home, yet Glasgow went after them. I am chuffed to bits by the performance and in no way disappointed.

Alan: I thought a Glasgow team with a number of second-choice starters did relatively well. I think the regret will be in giving away too many needless penalties, particularly getting isolated and tackled too often. I am also not sure if Franco will regret not fielding a stronger team as this could have made the difference, some looked out of their depth.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Graham a nailed-on Lion

In a dominant display, one Edinburgh player stood head and shoulders above his teammates against Bayonne.

Darcy Graham scored two tries, created two more and terrorised the French side's defence every time he got the ball.

The Hawick-born winger made 163m with ball in hand, and made seven clean breaks on Friday night, in addition to winning two turnovers.

It was a statement individual performance, one that underlined Graham's world-class ability and showed why he is a guaranteed pick - barring injury - for Andy Farrell's Lions squad next year.

Attacking intent shines through

Edinburgh's failures last season were at least partly down to a dull predictability in attack, with a lack of try-scoring bonus points costing them a place in the URC's top eight.

However, Sean Everitt's side have found an extra few gears this term. They already have six bonus points in the league, more than they managed in the entirety of last season's league campaign, and they put eight tries past Bayonne in the Challenge Cup.

They played with a real intensity, getting the ball out of the breakdown at speed and it allowed their stellar back division to influence the game.

Matt Currie and Mosese Tuipulotu's centre partnership is flourishing, and if Duhan van der Merwe can become as prominent at club level as he is for Scotland, the try-scoring numbers will continue to soar.

Edinburgh take momentum into 1872 Cup

Edinburgh's progress will be measured by their performances in their next two matches, as they try to regain the 1872 Cup from rivals Glasgow Warriors.

The team from the west are URC champions, and have reached the level Edinburgh aspire to.

Everitt's side will go to Hampden Park on Sunday as underdogs, but the performance and result against Bayonne will give them real heart.

A full-strength Edinburgh side is, on paper at least, a formidable prospect. The two-legged tie against Glasgow is not just an opportunity for league points, it's a chance to show they can deliver what fans and pundits expect from such a well-funded and talented pool of players.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow fail to punish Toulon's ill-discipline

In the 26th minute, this match swung in Glasgow's favour. Awarded a penalty try, they also watched Baptiste Serin and Lewis Ludlam trot off the pitch as Toulon had two players sin-binned.

That was the moment to stamp their authority on the game. With a two-man advantage, they had to punish Toulon and take the lead with the scores currently tied.

Instead, Toulon kicked two penalties and Glasgow's play turned sloppy as they tried to force the issue instead of sticking to basics.

Jare Oguntibeju continues to impress

This young man's story becomes more unbelievable by the week. At 22 years old, playing just his third game of top-class rugby, he scored his first pro try.

This is a player who only picked up an oval ball aged 17, and lost two-and-a-half years to injury.

The growth in his game in his last three outings has been incredible. He's absorbing information like a sponge and starting to use his significant size to Glasgow's benefit. Gregor Townsend will be watching, and the Six Nations audience will soon know his name.

Smith's depth-building project continues to reap rewards

It is a disappointing loss for Glasgow, in the sense that the game was there to win. However, two bonus points is no small feat either and given the side Franco Smith named, it is still a success of sorts.

They were underdogs going in, despite being URC champions. Gregor Hiddleston, Oguntibeju, Samuel, Jack Mann, and Ben Afshar all started and all are still in the nascent years of their careers.

The Warriors can now name a XV packed with second-choice players that can mix it with Test internationals. That is a testament to Smith's coaching and his brave, bold selections during his reign.

Glasgow fans, what did you make of your side's narrow Champions Cup defeat by Toulon?

Have your say on the game., external

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An 'Emerging Scotland' XV were beaten 24-7 by Italy Under-23 at Hive Stadium on Saturday.

The sides went into half-time level after Marcos Gallorini's try for the visitors cancelled out Ollie Blyth-Lafferty's score for the Scots.

However, Italy took control after the break with tries from Luca Andreani, Marco Scalabrin and Mirko Belloni.

Liam McConnell - who recently made his Edinburgh debut - captained the home side, while Scotland international Ollie Smith made his long-awaited return from injury at full-back.

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Glasgow Warriors will be "right up there" in both the European Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship this season, according to former England scrum-half Danny Care.

Warriors opened their Champions Cup campaign with a dominant bonus-point victory against Sale Sharks last weekend, with scrum-half George Horne scoring three first-half tries.

Horne was awarded the player of the match award, and Care reckons a Lions call-up will be in the player's sights now.

Speaking on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Care said: "Those Scottish scrum halves, this is the year to play well.

"Ben White's the first choice you'd say but George Horne has battled his way back in there ahead of Ali Price, and he might be looking at the Lions tour going 'I may be a little bit different, I can add a bit of zip'.

"These are the type of games I'm sure Andy Farrell will be watching at home… if he's got the subscription. "

"Glasgow will be right up there domestically and in Europe again domestically this year."

Edinburgh fans, what did you make of your side's emphatic win over Bayonne in the Challenge Cup.

Have your say on the game., external

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Player of the match Darcy Graham tells Premier Sports: "There was a bit of pressure. This season we've had good wins backed up by a loss. There's been inconsistency. It's now about getting a big win away.

"The first ten minutes was loose - I was blowing. For the fans to watch it was excellent. Second half we knew our fitness would kick in and we'd blow them away. I'm really proud of the boys because Bayonne came at us hard.

"We can fire into the 1872 Cup now. The next two games are going to be quality. We want to be moving the ball about - that's our game plan, and Glasgow are the exact same."

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has rotated his squad for Sunday's trip to Toulon in the Champions Cup.

The URC champions began their European campaign with an impressive win over Sale Sharks last weekend; Smith makes seven changes to the team that started at Scotstoun.

Sam Talakai replaces Zander Fagerson in the front row, Alex Samuel is preferred to Scott Cummings in the second row, while Jack Mann comes in for Matt Fagerson.

Henco Venter shifts to blindside flanker to accomodate Mann and Rory Darge continues at openside.

In the backs, last weekend's player of the match George Horne drops to the bench and is replaced by Ben Afshar, while Duncan Weir also comes into the team at fly-half, with Tom Jordan also among the replacements.

Stafford McDowall replaces Huw Jones in the centres, partnering captain Sione Tuipulotu, and Jamie Dobie comes in for Sebastian Cancelliere on the wing.

"This weekend presents another challenge for this group, as we face a side with a strong pedigree in European competition," Smith said.

"Toulon come into the match in great form, having played some excellent rugby to overcome the Stormers last weekend.

"They will also be looking to defend their proud record in front of a passionate home support, making it a challenge we look forward to facing on Sunday."

Glasgow XV to face Toulon: McKay, Dobie, Tuipulotu, McDowall, Rowe, Weir, Afshar; Bhatti, Hiddleston, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Samuel, Venter, Darge, Mann.

Replacements: Matthews, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Fraser, Horne, Jordan.

BBC Scotland senior reporter Andy Burke has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Peter asked: Is the consistent non-selection of Hamish Watson the end of his career?

Andy answered: I am a little puzzled by the continued omission of Watson from the Edinburgh side at the moment.

I don't think it's unfair to say Watson's best days are behind him, but I believe he still has something to offer.

Sean Everitt has confirmed Watson is not injured but, even with Freddy Douglas picking up an injury against Gloucester last week, has again omitted the 33-year-old from the squad to face Bayonne on Friday night.

It's understandable, and indeed essential, that younger options are given game-time in the Edinburgh back row, but I can't help but feel the experience of a Scotland and Lions international such as Watson would be handy as the club tries to fight on two fronts.

The end of his career? Who knows, but it does seem his time at Edinburgh could be coming to an end.

BBC Scotland senior reporter Andy Burke has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Chris asked: If Glasgow need to recruit, which position would be filled first? Is there depth in the squad to not need another established 10?

Andy answered: I think Tom Jordan's departure to Bristol at the end of the season has made signing another 10 the top priority for Glasgow.

Adam Hastings is a class act and should be the first-choice fly-half when Jordan leaves, but his continuing struggles on the injury front is a cause for concern. Hopefully his luck turns soon.

Duncan Weir remains an important figure at the club, both on and off the field, and it will be interesting to see if Franco Smith thinks the veteran has another year left in him come the summer.

There's real hope in the Scottish game that Richie Simpson, having turned in some excellent displays for Scotland Under-20s, can have a bright future at the top level and it would be good to see him given a chance in the near future.

For such a pivotal position, though, I think Glasgow need to find another proven high-level performer going into next season.

Ben asked: What can Gregor Hiddleston do to force his was into Gregor Townsend's thinking for the Six Nations? I think it may come too soon for him this year, but he has been so impressive for Glasgow and it wouldn't shock me if he overtakes Johnny Matthews by the end of the year at Glasgow.

Andy answered: Hiddleston played very well last weekend against Sale and it says a lot about how highly he is regarded that Franco Smith entrusted him to start such a big game. His faith was rewarded.

Is it too early for Hiddleston to make the Scotland Six Nations squad? I don't think so.

The hooker position remains intriguing. Ewan Ashman found some good form in the Autumn Nations Series and is the man in possession of the jersey.

Beyond that, Dylan Richardson seems to have worked his way into a decent position to be chief back-up, but that is far from nailed down.

Johnny Matthews seems to be one of those faces that just does not fit under Townsend and it could be that some strong performances over the next few weeks could see Hiddleston edge himself into the conversation for the Six Nations.