Scottish Rugby

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt admitted "confidence is growing" as his side made it four wins from five as they came through a mighty test to dump the Bulls out of the Challenge Cup.

An away win at Munster in the league has been followed by wins over the Dragons and the Lions, before a 34-28 win over the Bulls at the Hive.

"The win on its own is great, but this team has struggled to put together good performances week in, week out," Everitt told BBC Scotland.

"We've got a couple of wins under our belt now, four out of five, and that stands us in good stead. The confidence is growing. Winning can become a habit."

The capital club lead 31-7 at one point in the second-half but had to weather a storm as the Bulls roared back into contention, bringing six Springboks off the bench.

"It was a big test, a big set-piece test as well," Everitt added. "We did very well in the first half when we held onto the ball and put ourselves into positions on the field.

"We put them under pressure when we got into the 22m, in the first half we were really clinical. Rugby turns, and you have to have attack and defence.

"The Bulls went back to basics and with the power they have up front, they used that to their advantage. I'm proud of the boys, how we kept them out. The Bulls have been been finalists in the URC twice, they're on of the strongest teams in the competition, so I'm proud of the effort the boys put in today."

Inside centre James Lang put in a heroic shift as he scored two first-half tries, including a fortuitous second which saw him regather a kick that had gone a bit wrong.

"I don't score much so it's always nice to get over," Lang smiled post-match. "Our forwards really put the physical battle to them and from one to 23, the boys put in a hell of a shift. I'm just so proud of the lads.

"You learn a lot about yourselves in games like that where they keep firing shots and we keep repelling them.

"It was a tough, physical battle and the confidence is growing for this group. We've had a few nice results on the bounce, but we've got to park that. It's back to the URC and a huge game against the Sharks. We'll celebrate tonight, but there's still things to improve on."

What did you make of that, Edinburgh fans? They never do it the easy way, do they?

Who impressed you in the win? Is this the high point of the Sean Everitt era so far?

Let us know your thoughts

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith told Premier Sports: "They were brilliant, I'm not going to make excuses from our side, they were just brilliant.

"A lot of other coaches that have stood here have said it, but the fact they've played so many times together, in the international jersey together [too]. They do not have to play every week, that allows them to be fresh, to spend more time in the gym, and it was evident tonight.

"It was the first time we've been completely bullied in every part of the game.

"As coaches, we just keep on telling the players that we need to improve, there is more required, there is a difference between club and international level. You play a team like this, you realise that, you understand the work that still needs to be done - may that be in the gym or on the field with decision making, the pressure, how you manage the game when you start losing the contact part of it.

"There's no better place to experience it first hand and now they'll understand the message on Mondays [meeting] much better. The message will go to the whole squad - we've got a bunch of boys not available for selection tonight - but now they'll hear firsthand from their teammates what's needed.

"It is terrible about Matt [Fagerson], he's our biggest loss of the night. Gregor Brown is available to play in the loose forwards now Scott Cummings and Max Williamson will be available.

"We'll see more of Jack Dempsey soon. We'll see, there's one or two tricks up the sleeve. Gregor Hiddleston, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Josh McKay, a number of players who have played an important role in the last year. We've seen what squad depth does for Leinster and that's what we're trying to get to."

Defeats rarely come as bruising as that for Glasgow Warriors, a real humbling over in Dublin at the hands of a fully-stocked Leinster side.

What did you make of it, Glasgow fans? Where did it all go wrong?

And what are your expectations for the remainder of the season?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Boan Venter and Ewan Ashman are the only two changes to the Edinburgh side that saw off the Lions as they prepare to host fellow South African side the Bulls at Hive Stadium in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Venter replaces Scotland veteran and British & Irish Lions candidate Pierre Schoeman at loosehead prop, while Ashman comes in for the departing Dave Cherry, whose move to Top 14 side Vannes was confirmed this week.

On the bench, head coach Sean Everitt is boosted by the return of tighthead prop D'Arcy Rae, recent Scotland cap Ben Muncaster, and centre Mosese Tuipulotu.

The other change in the replacements is in the lock department where Rob Carmichael replaces Glen Young, with the 22-year-old potentially making just his third senior appearance.

The return of Muncaster means there is no place for young dynamo Freddy Douglas, while Duhan van der Merwe remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Regulars Mark Bennett, Emiliano Boffellli, Luke Crosbie, Paul Hill, and Marshall Sykes continue their injury recoveries.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Lang, McCann; Thompson, Vellacott (cc); Venter, Ashman, Sebastian, Skinner, Gilchrist (cc), Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury.

Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Rae, Carmichael, Muncaster, Price, Scott, Tuipulotu.

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith insists Glasgow won't be "star struck" when they face Leinster in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup on Friday.

It is Glasgow's first visit to the Aviva Stadium since their Challenge Cup final defeat by Toulon in 2023 and Smith says his players have grown both "physically" and "mentally" since that loss.

He also revealed it is a match they have spoken about on multiple occasions since, in which time they have become United Rugby Championship winners.

"Over the past year, 18 months it has been a point of reference - we often spoke about that," Smith said.

"I think these guys have grown mentally as well as physically, so I believe we have gone past that. The people most surprised to see us in the final two years ago was ourselves.

"We've moved on from there, so I'm confident we will be able to play our game and won't be star struck."

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Edinburgh have announced that backs Ben Healy, Cammy Scott and Ross Thompson have all agreed new contracts with the club.

Scotland international Healy has signed a one-year extension, while fellow Scotland cap Thompson has extended his deal by two years.

"Ben has been a fantastic addition to the squad since joining in 2023," head coach Sean Everitt said. "He's still a young player with a lot of potential and we believe there's much more to come from him.

"This extension solidifies our squad. Ben's presence and progress are integral to our success, and we're thrilled he'll be part of our journey for another year."

On Thompson, Everitt added: "His impact since joining the club has been significant, and it's been great to see him grow in confidence throughout the season. He's a smart player with a great kicking game and excellent distribution.

"It's brilliant to see Edinburgh-born lads leading the team, and Ross embodies the passion and commitment we want to see."

Scott, 23, has also signed for two further years having featured more regularly in the first team this season.

"Cammy is a player with a bright future and we're excited to see him continue to develop within our environment," Everitt said.

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Glasgow Warriors have made three changes for their Champions Cup quarter-final clash away to Leinster on Friday.

All three tweaks from the last-16 victory over Leicester Tigers come in the forward pack.

Scotland prop Zander Fagerson misses out with concussion and is replaced by Sam Talakai, while Alex Samuel is preferred to JP du Preez in the second row.

Henco Venter is suspended and so there's a reshuffle in the back row. Rory Darge comes into the team at openside flanker, with Sione Vailanu switching to number eight.

Max Williamson could make his long-awaited return from injury off the bench.

"Leinster are a quality outfit," head coach Franco Smith said. "They've come very close to winning this competition several years in a row and we know how much it means to them and how motivated they are going to be on Friday night.

"They have a team full of internationals and have only lost one competitive match this season, so we're aware of the challenge and excited to play against one of the best club sides in the world.

"We have prepared well and are focused on the opportunity to make our own history and will need to be the best version of ourselves to do that."

Glasgow Warriors XV to face Leinster: Rowe, Dobie, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Matthews, Talakai, Brown, Samuel, M Fagerson, Darge, Vailanu.

Replacements: Stewart, Bhatti, Schickerling, Du Preez, Williamson, Ferrie, Afshar, Cancelliere.

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Ireland will take on Scotland and Canada in Tests in early August as part of their preparations for the Women's World Cup which will begin later that month.

Scott Bemand's Ireland side will face Scotland in the opening World Cup warm-up game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on 2 August before a contest against Canada at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on 9 August.

Canada, who defeated Ireland at last autumn's WXV 1 tournament in Vancouver a week after the Irish had shocked world champions New Zealand, are second in World Rugby's rankings behind England.

Ireland will open their World Cup campaign by facing Japan in Northampton on 24 August before further group games against Spain and New Zealand on 31 August and 7 September.

Bemand's Ireland squad will link up in June to begin an extended training stint.

"We are delighted to confirm our two warm-up fixtures against quality opposition in the build up to Women's Rugby World Cup," said the Ireland head coach.

"Our pre-season block that will run throughout June and July in Dublin will be designed to test and prepare the extended squad, ensuring we are in the best possible shape for the tournament ahead and getting the opportunity for valuable match minutes and exposure is vitally important."

Scotland winger Darcy Graham admits the squad "probably underachieved" at this year's Six Nations as he reflects on the "fine margins" where the side fell short.

The main sore spot for Graham was their narrow defeat against England.

Finn Russell missed a 79th-minute conversion, and Scotland's Calcutta Cup winning streak ended at Allianz Stadium.

Speaking to the Scotland Rugby Podcast, Graham opens up on the squad's mood after the tournament and shares his thoughts on their fourth-place finish

"Looking back at it, it's so hard because one kick in that England game sets us up going to France to go for the championship," he said.

"And it just shows you how close it is nowadays and the fine margins, they're so fine.

"That one kick, that's all it was, and that's taken us from going for the championship to fourth.

"It's just, anyone can beat anybody now and that's why the competition is so supported and so hard to win.

"The boys are frustrated. We were really confident going into it, and I do think we've probably underachieved as players.

"We want more, we want to go out there and perform more and win those close games. Yeah, that's why the Six Nations is so big."

On this week's episode you can also hear from Warriors' hooker Johnny Matthews ahead of them facing Leinster in the Champions Cup.

BBC Scotland's Andy Burke is also joined by former Scotland captain Lisa Martin to discuss why Scotland's women are performing well in the Women's Six Nations ahead of their match with Italy this coming weekend.

BBC Scotland rugby reporter Andy Burke has been answering some of your questions.

Barry asked: My question is do you agree that there is a complete lack of respect for Scottish rugby around the rugby world?

Andy answered: I'm not sure it's a lack of respect for Scottish rugby rather than a probably outdated assumption about English rugby, the strength of the Premiership and where English clubs sit in the European order.

The last five years have seen the big guns in France and Ireland dominate the Champions Cup. You have to go back to the Saracens era to find an English club that was considered a true European powerhouse, and even then Sarries were subsequently found to have breached salary cap rules.

Whenever I hear pundits speaking about Glasgow Warriors in particular, though, it's normally in very respectful terms. Most of the comments I saw online from Leicester fans were, while bemoaning their own side's shortcomings, accepting they were simply put away by a superior team.

Leinster are overwhelming favourites when they meet Glasgow in Dublin on Friday night, but I think that would be the case right now no matter which team they were up against, save for maybe Toulouse or Bordeaux.

They look unstoppable, but Warriors have been written off before and delivered something special. If they were to do it at the Aviva Stadium and book a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals, it would be one of the greatest results in their history.

Doug asked: There's no excusing an eye gouge, however, how can the instigator go unpunished? Dan Cole has held Henco Venter around the neck on the floor, and Henco reaches out to force his release and looks to have hit Cole's eyes. If proven, unfortunately, a severe ban will be issued, but what of Dan Cole and the position he put Henco in?

Andy answered: We now know that Henco Venter has received a six-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Dan Cole.

It's a huge blow for Glasgow to be without a player who has been in such great form and delivered a man-of-the-match display against Leinster.

I don't think Venter can have too many complaints, though. As soon as you go near the eye area of an opponent – intentionally or not - you are asking for trouble. The player himself admitted in his hearing that his actions were worthy of a red card.

I agree Cole's actions should have been investigated. He looked to have Venter in a headlock, which led to the Glasgow man's reaction – not that that excuses Venter's action.

Eye-gouging is something that needs to be stamped out of the game completely. We are still seeing it too often and offenders need to be punished harshly. Then again, so do those deploying headlocks at the bottom of rucks.

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Scotland's Dylan Richardson says head coach Sean Everitt played a "significant role" in ensuring he would sign for Edinburgh this summer.

The versatile forward, 26, will join from Hollywoodbets Sharks on a two-year deal.

Richardson, who can play at hooker and as a loose forward, made his Sharks debut in 2019 and has earned six Scotland caps to date.

On joining Edinburgh, Richardson said: "I'm incredibly excited for this next chapter in my career. Moving to Scotland and joining a club with such a strong history and passionate support base is a massive opportunity."

Head coach Everitt guided the South African-born forward through the early years of his career at Kings Park Stadium.

On Everitt's influence, Richardson said: "He has played a significant role in my development as a player, and having the chance to work under his leadership again is something I'm really looking forward to.

"His belief in my abilities and his vision for the team made the decision to join Edinburgh an easy one. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a person, and I'm excited to be part of what he's building at the club."

And Edinburgh boss Everitt added: "We're thrilled to welcome a player of Dylan's quality to Edinburgh. He's a strong and dynamic player who brings plenty of experience.

"His versatility, being able to play both hooker and in the back row, will be a real asset for us."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Franco Smith says his Glasgow Warriors side must travel to Dublin with absolute belief they can pull off a huge upset against Leinster in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup.

Warriors swept aside Leicester Tigers at Scotstoun to book their place in the last eight, while the Irish side underlined their credentials as one of the tournament favourites with a ruthless 10-try destruction of Harlequins at Aviva Stadium.

Smith concedes Glasgow will go in as big underdogs but believes the URC champions can spring a shock.

"Leinster are top of the log in the URC, they've got a squad with huge depth," Smith told BBC Scotland.

"They are probably the most talked about team in world rugby at the moment, so it will be probably the toughest task we've had in a very long time.

"Of course you must go there with a mindset that you can achieve on the day. Looking forward to a big challenge, but they are definitely the favourites."

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Assistant coach Nigel Carolan is demanding to see the best version of Glasgow Warriors in Friday's Champions Cup quarter-final.

Glasgow overcame Leicester with a 43-19 victory to set up Friday's last-eight tie against a Leinster side who thrashed Harlequins 62-0 in their previous match.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us," Carolan said of the quarter-final.

"If we can just get the best version of our game on the pitch, I think we can ask questions of any team. I think the confidence is there in the group. The belief is definitely there.

"I think they're characteristics that are extremely powerful. When you put that with a skillset and that ability to be brave and how we try and play, it's a dangerous combination if it clicks.

"Leinster are going to bring this rushed defence where teams get bothered by it. Teams get a little bit flustered. I think it's really important we stay calm and composed."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Wes Goosen appreciation society.

The winger turned fullback earned his 50th cap against Lions at the weekend in some style.

He scored the opening try, one that will definitely be a contender for try of the season, and his contribution for the second, finished by Ben Vellacott, was crucial and the footwork worthy of a place on the next season of Strictly.

And that was all in the first 10 minutes. He continued in that vein, making breaks, beating defenders, catching high balls, linking up with Darcy Graham and Ross McCann and just generally making a nuisance of himself to Lions' detriment.

If you'd predicted such a display from this player back in the 2022-2023 season, I'd have laughed in your face. I recall asking a friend who lived in New Zealand what kind of player we had acquired when his transfer was announced and was told we had got a gem. His highlights reel gave the same message. But in that first season, punctuated by injury, we saw none of that.

On Friday night you could see what it meant to him to completely obliterate that memory, continue his 100% playing record this season and earn yet another player of the match award.

He was the spark that lit the team and led Edinburgh to somewhat redress the loss in October.

It wasn't perfect, we should have had at least two more tries if different decisions had been made and the principles of knockout rugby may just have escaped the team when we failed to take an easy three points in the wake of the break by Javan Sebastian which would have given us a three score lead at HT. However I'm indulging in hindsight and nit-picking when all that matters is the win.

A quarter-final against Bulls awaits. We have a 100% win record against them at the Hive and if the same attitude and application is applied this weekend I'm confident we can take a place in the semi final.

The place of course being at the Hive. If everyone is fit, same team again.