Scottish Rugby

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Ronald asked: I understand the need for more Scottish players at Glasgow but surely they still have to be competitive? I think letting a good player like Henco Venter leave is a poor decision.

Andy answered: First off, I agree. Venter's performance against Stormers only served to underline that letting him go is a big mistake.

The SRU are not best pleased at Venter's portrayal in the media this week that he was told he was surplus to requirements because of a new cap on foreign imports.

They insist Venter was in line to be offered a new deal, but not before the top players, such as Sione Tuipulotu, had been tied down, and that Brive swooped in with a lucrative offer before Glasgow had a chance to.

Who knows the precise timeline of events, but to the overarching point, the focus on promoting Scottish talent over foreign imports is a step in the right direction.

Rather than a cap on number of imports, deals for foreign players will have to meet a higher bar to be signed off. Most Glasgow fans would argue Venter has more than met the criteria with his performances in a Warriors shirt.

Ian asked: Marks out of 10, how did Edinburgh do this season? The performances over the last few weeks with a top-eight finish surely knocked the score up a notch or two?

Andy answered: I'm giving Edinburgh a 7/10, Ian.

That was looking like a 3 or a 4 a few short weeks ago, but when assessing a whole campaign the main criteria has to be where the team ended up. A URC quarter-final and a European semi-final probably exceeds where most expected Edinburgh to be this season.

Of course it could, and at points of the season definitely should, have been better, but the team has shown enough these past couple of months to suggest they're on the right track.

I think Sean Everitt has earned the right to go again next season. I know some Edinburgh fans still remain to be convinced.

Stuart asked: If injuries happen to any of the Lions do you expect any Scotland players to be called in as their replacements?

Andy answered: Tom Jordan. The man is playing some outstanding rugby. He looks bang in form and covers a multitude of positions.

If any 10,12, 13 or 15 goes down in the coming weeks, I'd like to think Jordan will be right there in Andy Farrell's thoughts to hop on a plane Down Under.

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Josh McKay is taking confidence from the commanding win over Stormers as Glasgow look to unseat top seeds Leinster on Saturday and reach the URC final.

Franco Smith's side head to Dublin to face the title favourites after keeping their defence of the trophy alive by bouncing back from three straight defeats with a 36-18 victory over Stormers at Scotstoun last weekend.

"That performance on Friday night was arguably one of the best of the team this season," said winger McKay.

"There's plenty we can take from that game, both on the good side and also what we can work on as well.

"We didn't build heaps of phases. Our discipline was a little bit poor and we'd probably like to have a little bit more ball.

"But it was definitely positive. We were able to put a few moves together and do enough to get the job done. It was a massive game in front of our home crowd."

McKay knows Leinster have "been the benchmark" in the URC this season but insists Warriors are capable of defying the odds.

"Leinster away is a big game. We see a lot of teams go over there and struggle. I guess it's a credit to what they've built over many years," he added.

"They've got a hugely deep squad and they show every year that they can go deep into these competitions.

"We know what's ahead of us. We just need to front up with the right mindset. That's huge. If we can turn up and be where we want to be physically, we respect what they bring and we know what they bring, but we've got to focus on ourselves."

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Glasgow and their URC semi-final opponents Leinster are well acquainted at this stage.

So, too, are Franco Smith and Jacques Nienaber, who first met in the 1990s, long before they emerged as two of South Africa's most respected coaches.

"I was his physiotherapist way back in 1998," recalled Leinster senior coach Nienaber.

"We didn't go to school together but we were in rival schools so I know him and his family quite well. I actually coached with him with the Cheetahs in 2006 and 2007 before he went to Italy.

"He was their attack coach while I was dipping my toes in defence. Franco is an incredible human, a good person and you can see how he is leading Glasgow and the quality they have produced in the past couple of seasons under his guidance and leadership.

"He is a wily character, he understands the game and gets the team to gel so it'll be a nice challenge for us."

Read more: Fatigue not an issue for Leinster

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says he will not close the door on international rugby for those players who miss out on his squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Easson has named a 38-player training squad prior to the tournament in England this summer.

Among those to miss out was experienced lock Louise McMillan, who said in an Instagram post: "There was a slow dawning that despite injuries in my position, I wouldn't be recalled, confirming the painful truth that my journey with this coaching team was nearing its end. My World Cup dream, my professional contract, slipped from my grasp."

Easson says there will always be tough decisions on who to leave out of the World Cup squad, but that it need not signal an end of Test careers.

"These selections are very, very difficult," Easson told BBC Scotland.

"But to leave out players now actually shows the strength of Scotland women's rugby. So some players who do have a legacy, some players who do have given a lot to Scotland women's rugby over the years, will miss out and it's always tough.

"But the door's never closed for those players. It's just a moment in time, it's a selection that we have to make, it's a selection that we believe at this moment in time is right.

"No matter who they are, if they're playing well, they'll be the ones that are selected and that's how we have to push this team forward and that's how you get better performances on the field."

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Glasgow Warriors flanker Rory Darge and Edinburgh wing Darcy Graham have been named in the URC team of the season.

Scotland co-captain Darge has impressed in Glasgow's run to the URC semi-finals and scored his third try of the season in the quarter-final win over Stormers last weekend.

Fellow Scotland international Graham also makes the 'Elite XV' - which is determined by a media vote - after helping Edinburgh reach the play-offs for the first time in three years.

Graham scored six tries in 13 appearances and had the most clean breaks (23) of any player in the league.

The full URC 'Elite XV' is: Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Tom Farrell (Munster), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Craig Casey (Munster), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Wilco Louw (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster ), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls).

Former Ireland international Bernard Jackman - a European Cup winner with Leinster and now top Irish pundit - joins Tom English and Andy Burke on this week's BBC Scotland Rugby podcast to preview Glasgow's URC semi-final in Dublin on Saturday.

There's also a look back at Edinburgh's season-ending play-off defeat and analysis of the reconstruction going on in Scottish Rugby.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

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Nigel Carolan is urging cool heads and a "ruthless" streak as Glasgow Warriors bid to defy the odds against Leinster in the URC semi-final in Dublin on Saturday.

Defending champions Glasgow made a strong start to the play-offs with a 36-18 home win over Stormers last weekend, but haven't won away to Leinster since 2019.

"We scored some cracking tries [against Stormers] even though we didn't have a massive amount of the ball. What it did show is that when we did get chances, we were pretty ruthless," said Glasgow assistant coach Carolan.

"It's what you need this time of the season as you approach the quarter and semi-finals.

"Every opportunity counts and it's important that you take those chances when they come about.

"The thing about Leinster, they really limit the chances that you do get. So, whatever we can create, it's important that we're nice and cool.

"Our mindset has got to be ruthless, but also nice and calm and composed, so we can execute them."

Carolan insists Glasgow are unburdened by the 52-0 shellacking they suffered against Leinster in Dublin in the Champions Cup last month.

"It's history now," he added. "Look, we've played them since [losing 13-5 in the final game of the URC regular season], so I think what we turned up with the last time we played them is a bit more us.

"I think what we saw on Friday night against the Stormers was more us again. We're building nicely, we've definitely got a bit of the mojo back from where we were.

"It's important that we got into this weekend on the back of a good performance last Friday and there's a lot of confidence we can take from it."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Edinburgh have played 26 games this season in all competitions. In 12 of those we have conceded a total of 16 tries in the 10-minute period following half-time.

It is more than we concede in any other part of our matches. Over the season it has arguably cost Edinburgh at least two league wins. On Saturday it cost us a chance of a semi-final.

The score Bulls got in the 51st minute and the fact they failed to cross the line again in the remainder of the match makes it hard to see past that 40-51 minute period as being decisive.

Early in the game the broadcasters showed a graphic that told us Bulls forwards were 57kg heavier than Edinburgh. That weight certainly showed at scrum time and as weird as might seem when you score five tries it felt like a rearguard action for much of the 80 minutes.

In a lot of ways our three games against Bulls this season typify what progress there has been.

Game 1. I described Edinburgh as asthmatic and wasteful. Only one try.

Game 2. A much improved and focused win. We looked like a team.

Game 3. A five-try thriller where we just fell short on power.

Depending on your viewpoint the progress is there. A semi-final and a quarter-final allied to a try count we have only surpassed once in our history is balanced out by the fact we won fewer games in the league than we did last year.

There are no trophies. That's not new and if that's your reason for supporting Edinburgh, then to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, you've been misinformed.

But there is now a team you can be proud of. A team who are putting their bodies on the line for their long-suffering supporters. A team that finally looks like it wants to live up to the 'on paper' reputation that seems to follow them about.

We have some departures that could hurt, Jamie Ritchie probably chiefly among those, but we have recruited well and I'm excited to see them make their mark alongside some of the young players who are stepping up.

I'm already looking forward to next season as long as we continue playing as if we have a chip on our shoulders as opposed to a silver spoon in our mouths.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Grant Young
Fan writer

Glasgow's swagger has returned.

On a night where several players made their final home appearance, a sense of pride, emotion and determination was in the air at Scotostoun as the Warriors swept into the semis with an 18-point win against Stormers.

Glasgow produced some of their best attacking rugby in weeks. Player of the game went to Rory Darge but it genuinely could have been one of about 10 of Franco Smith's men.

The lynchpin of the Glasgow turnaround has been the returning Sione Tuipulotu, who makes his team-mates better.

Stormers were left chasing their tail with so many missed tackles but the attacking verve of Glasgow was a joy on the eye.

Now a third trip to Dublin in two months awaits. Leinster are the number one seeds for a reason and boast a squad many teams could only dream of, but can Glasgow upset the odds?

The injury list may be shrinking but we are still without Zander Fagerson and Jack Dempsey, two players that can make a difference.

The Leinster pack can be dominant and it's probably been a weakness in recent games for Warriors.

The squad will need to believe to get over the line for a trip to the grand final. Can they counter the press defence of Leinster? Time will tell. Come on Glasgow!

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Scotland will face Italy this summer as part of their preparations for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Bryan Easson's side begin their summer Test series away to the Italians in Viadana on Friday 25 July before facing Ireland at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday 2 August.

Head coach Easson says the warm-up matches will be "key in sharpening our focus and ensuring we're in the best shape possible" for the World Cup in England.

Scotland open their World Cup campaign against Wales on 23 August and also take on Fiji and Canada in Group B.

As usual on a Monday, we're giving you the chance to put your burning rugby questions to our reporters, Tom English and Andy Burke.

Whether it's looking back on Glasgow and Edinburgh's weekend action, looking further ahead to the Lions tour, or anything else Scottish rugby related, our team are ready.

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

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Edinburgh find courage to end season with pride

Sean Everitt talked about a fast start and a strong finish. He got both of those, but it was the bit in the middle that saw the Bulls pull out of sight.

However, the fight Edinburgh showed to get ahead and then set up a tense-ish finale was admirable.

They were able to pick themselves up off the canvas after the three-try blitz that would have left others floored. Tries from Ewan Ashman and Wes Goosen made a game of it, but they just couldn't climb the mountain.

If only they could show that hunger, fight and desire in every game, they wouldn't have had to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld - one of the hardest away days in the league.

Young guns offer hope for next season

There was a moment in the final 10 minutes that threatened to swing the game back Edinburgh's way.

Ali Price's up-and-under was chased by Harry Paterson, who smashed Canan Moodie back. Liam McConnell, the 20-year-old back-row just off the bench, cleaned out the ruck. Ben Muncaster followed to win the ruck penalty.

Three young players, all with huge futures, combining to set up a potential game-swinging moment. It didn't quite work out like that - the subsequent line-out was turned over by the Bulls - but it showed there is hope for the future.

With Dave Cherry away, promising hooker Paddy Harrison will get even more game time after a breakthrough season. Freddy Douglas, Muncaster and Liam McConnell will be knocking on the door. Tom Currie, too.

Connor McAlpine was on the bench for this one, with fellow scrum-half Hector Patterson also highly regarded. No scrum-half replacement will be sought for the outgoing Price.

Bradbury shows captain's qualities again

In the absence of co-captains Grant Gilchrist and Ben Vellacott, both missing through injury, it was once again Magnus Bradbury's turn to wear the armband.

It is now a long time since he was stripped off the captaincy due to an off-field incident, aged just 22.

Here, he delivered another stellar performance with the weight of responsibility having no burden at all.

He bungled one restart, which did prove costly, but spoke well after the game about how Edinburgh have had a tough season, but how they should be a top-four team.

Lofty ambitions? Sure. But if he can lift his team-mates to play at his level, there's no reason why they shouldn't be aiming that high.

We asked for your thoughts after Glasgow beat Stormers and Edinburgh lost to Bulls in the URC quarter-finals.

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

GLASGOW

Stuart: Same as last year - game management was spot on. Played in the right areas when it mattered. Hopefully we can do the same next Saturday.

Ken: Glasgow starting to peak just at the right time.

Graeme: What a great result for the Warriors. I thought Tom Jordan was excellent and a good few others. Very proud to be a GW supporter. Bring on Leinster. Two in a row?

Charlie: Great victory. Some fantastic attacking play and many excellent performances from the backs. A colossal performance by the departing Henco Venter.

EDINBURGH

Steve: It appears Edinburgh hit the elevation wall a good 20 minutes before the Bulls, having been in control and playing as well as they have seen all season. A fair result on balance, but strange that our normally prolific ruck penalty count was so low.

Stair: Great end of season for Edinburgh. With 40 minutes gone we were the best team. As always we fell away in the third 20, only to come back into the game and almost create an upset. Far better outcome than I thought possible after our home surrender to Zebre some weeks ago. Well done and let's look forward to next year.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Darge responds to Lions disappointment

Rory Darge told BBC Scotland on last week's Scotland Rugby Podcast he's using the disappointment of missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions as motivation. It certainly looked that way against the Stormers.

Darge was outstanding. Time and again he chopped down the big South African ball carriers and stymied their momentum by being his usual menace at the breakdown.

He led the way in the tackle charts with 23 and threw in two turnovers for good measure.

He is consistently good at the best of times, but a Rory Darge with a point to prove? That's one heck of a weapon for Glasgow in this United Rugby Championship play-off run-in.

Jordan shows his class

Tom Jordan is another player who can feel slightly aggrieved at missing out on the Lions after his sterling Six Nations performances for Scotland.

Warriors fans still feel aggrieved they will not see Jordan at Scotstoun next season, with the fly-half heading for Bristol this summer.

Four clean breaks, eight defenders beaten and 100m made tells only part of the story of Jordan's performance.

He was constantly testing the Stormers defence, refusing to be put down in the tackle, and the way he pumped up the crowd in key moments demonstrated a ferocious will to win.

Jordan will be a seismic loss to the team and the club, as a player and a character. Glasgow will hope he has one, ideally two, big performances left in him.

Things to work on for semi-final

It was a rather curious game in some respects.

Warriors lost the penalty count 16-4. Normally a disparity like that means the team on the wrong end is also on the wrong end of the result.

A combination of five excellent tries, some titanic goal-line defence and the Stormers sloppy handling meant being on the wrong side of the officials did not prove costly, but Glasgow will need to sort that out in the semi-final against Leinster.

The scrum, in the absence of Zander Fagerson, also creaked at various points and after the game Franco Smith identified the set piece as an area that must improve before next weekend.

There is a definite sense, however, that the defending champions are starting to show what they're all about.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Captain Kyle Steyn says Glasgow were motivated to give their departing players another week in the Warriors shirt as they swept the Stormers aside to reach the United Rugby Championship semi-finals.

The reigning champions ran in five tries to seal a 36-18 victory over the South African side and set up a showdown against either Leinster or Scarlets, who meet in Dublin on Saturday, in the last four.

The likes of Henco Venter and Tom Jordan are among a number of players leaving the club this summer, and Steyn was delighted they were able to enjoy a special night under the lights at Scotstoun.

"If it is the last one at home then I'm really chuffed for those men because they deserve a send-off like that," Steyn told BBC Scotland.

"It was just an unreal night, the way the fans got behind us. I got goose bumps the way they clapped Henco off at the end.

"We're really chuffed that we've earned another week to be out there with them and ready to rip into it.

"At this time of year it's not about being perfect. It's about being able to kind of roll with the dice and just keep going no matter what.

"I was really proud of our big boys up front. I thought the way they defended when we were close on our line really set the tone for us and then the backs were good off the back of that."

A 12-minute blitz at the start of the second half helped the Bulls roar back from behind to knock Edinburgh out of the United Rugby Championship play-offs at the quarter-final stage.

What did you make of that one, Edinburgh fans? Was it just a bridge too far?

Who impressed you out in Pretoria? And did you gain any confidence for next season?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt told BBC Scotland: "You've got to deny entries 22. We weren't able to force enough rucks on the ball, and when they kept the ball in alive, - Keaghan Johannes' try is an example of that - they are really hard to stop. They've got a lot of pace up right.

"We wanted to stop momentum and force them to play from slow ball, but it wasn't always possible.

"We're disappointed in how we executed our kicking game, because they did win the aerial battle today. Some of those scraps that fall on the floor, it's a bounce of the ball, you need a little bit of luck as far as that's concerned.

"It was more around the the kicking game in the middle, third of the game that probably led to their win."