Scottish Rugby

Grant Young
Fan writer

So Glasgow return from South Africa with their tail firmly between their legs.

Two blow-out defeats after European disappointment mean Glasgow have lost three on the bounce, just like they did to end the regular season last year.

For all the hype and expectation, the fixture run to end the season has definitely been against the Warriors. Rugby is certainly a squad game and Glasgow have had to dive deep down the reserve list in recent games to search players.

It is great to see so many young players getting opportunities and it does future-proof the side down the road. However, Glasgow now see themselves dropping down the table and are vulnerable in second place.

Only a matter of weeks ago, it looked like Glasgow would be top seed. Now the question is if Glasgow can finish even with a home quarter-final.

A break week this week could be the gap in schedule the squad needs. The front line injuries are well documented, but with recent results it really highlights the value that George Horne has.

The tempo he delivers from the ruck, but also his heart and passion, is really difficult to replace.

Add in Jamie Dobie being absent since the Six Nations and Glasgow have had a vulnerability through the nine position that seriously weakens their game plan.

Jack Oliver and Ben Afshar are young and rough around the edges and I'm sure their time will come, but Glasgow could really do with the return of Horne to the team.

It's not an easy finish to the season in any shape or form - Cardiff at home up next where Scotstoun will expect a result.

Five points in that one could go a long way to securing a good finish, but it's the final game on the road to Ulster that could prove pivotal.

There are now a lot of questions and pressure on the squad and the coaches. A season that promised so much only a fortnight or so ago could be about to fizzle out in disappointment.

Next season will see a lot of changes with so many front line guys leaving and we have yet to hear who could be the replacements. Glasgow's destiny is in their hands, finding momentum and positivity is what is required.

Tom English and Andy Burke answer audience questions and look back on Scotland's "non-performance" against Italy in the Women's Six Nations.

The pair also discuss Glasgow Warriors' wobble in the URC and what appears to be an upturn in form at Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh back-three specialist Jack Brown has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 20-year-old Scotland A international has been rewarded after a breakthrough campaign in which he has made 10 appearances.

"This means everything to me," Brown said. "I was born and raised in Edinburgh – this is my city, this is my club, and pulling on the castle and representing the capital of Scotland is something I never take for granted.

"Running out at Hive Stadium gives me a buzz like nothing else. I love playing for this team and I really enjoy working with Sean [Everitt] and the rest of the coaching staff – they've pushed me to become a better player every single day.

"I can't wait to see what the future holds. I want to keep improving, keep earning my place and give everything I have for this club."

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt believes Brown is making encouraging strides and can be a real asset for the club in the future.

He said: "Jack has all the attributes to succeed at this level. He's tall, athletic, has a big boot, he's courageous and he's calm under the high ball – that combination is exciting in a back-three player.

"He now has the opportunity to earn his place in the senior squad and really kick on. We're looking forward to watching him do that."

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Scottish-qualified scrum-half Louie Chapman can "push for the highest level" after the Crusaders man became Edinburgh's latest recruit.

The 25-year-old is Edinburgh's third signing in the past week, following Hurricanes centre Riley Higgins and Scotland U20 back Geordie Gwynn from Ealing Trailfinders.

Chapman qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother and has played five times for Crusaders in Super Rugby this season.

He is expected to move to Edinburgh in the autumn, after Canterbury's Bunnings NPC campaign comes to a close.

"I'm so excited to be joining Edinburgh – a club with such a rich history and a real identity," Chapman said.

"I've been doing my research and the more I've learned about the place, the culture and what the club means to this city, the more I can't wait to get there and be a part of it.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the boys, getting to know the fans and really throwing myself into everything that comes with playing in Scotland. It's going to be a brilliant experience and I just want to get stuck in and contribute as quickly as I can."

Edinburgh Rugby head coach, Sean Everitt, added: "We're really excited to welcome Louie to Edinburgh. He has a huge amount of potential, but what stands out when you watch him is the maturity he brings - the control, the decision-making, the way he manages the game with tempo.

"Those aren't attributes that come by accident, and for a player still on the right side of 26 who has developed in that Crusaders environment, they tell you a great deal about his ceiling.

"He's Scottish-qualified, which adds another layer to this signing. We want players who see Edinburgh as a place where they can grow and push for the highest level. Louie is someone who fits that profile.

"He will come in and challenge our existing scrum-halves, and that competition will make everyone better. He's another high-quality addition to a squad we are building with real intent."

Do you have any burning questions for our rugby experts after Scotland's disappointing Six Nations defeat by Italy?

Or maybe you want to know more about the weekend's URC action as Glasgow were beaten comprehensively by Stormers and Edinburgh defeated Sharks?

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

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Warriors late season wobble

Glasgow are still very much alive in this season's URC title race, but this late-season wobble is now concerning.

Having built a brilliant platform in both the URC and Champions Cup, the European defeat by Toulon seems to have sparked a mini crisis of confidence.

Injuries are undoubtedly biting hard, but the double-header in South Africa has been really poor. Zero match points claimed, 14 tries and 102 points conceded across the two games and their long-held lead at the top of the table gone. It could not have gone any worse.

They have been here before, bouncing back from disappointment in South Africa to return and claim the URC title in 2024. They did it the hard way then and it's looking like the may have to travel the tough road to do it again.

Tuipulotu goes down fighting

It will hardly go down as one of his great individual performances, but Sione Tuipulotu was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal day for Glasgow.

The Scotland captain was always looking for ball, carrying hard into a defence that was giving little change.

His brilliant break was the spark for Ollie Smith's first-half try, and although gaps were hard to come by as the game wore on, Tuipulotu never stopped trying to find them.

Glasgow will need him at his best in the coming weeks.

Glasgow missing spark at nine

Any team would miss players of the quality of George Horne and Jamie Dobie, and Glasgow's scrum-half injuries are threatening to derail their season.

The tempo which Horne in particular brings is so crucial to the way Warriors play and his influence has been sorely missed in the past few matches.

Ben Afshar is a decent player and will get better with experience, but can be a little laboured at the base of the ruck and that split-second delay is enough to take the edge off the Glasgow attack.

Horne is thought to be not too far away from a return and how Glasgow could be doing with him for the run-in.

Rugby fans, you had three games to watch over the weekend. Here are your views on Edinburgh's win over Sharks, Glasgow's defeat to Stormers and Scotland's loss in Italy in the Women's Six Nations.

SCOTLAND WOMEN

Simon: Was always going to be a tough tournament for Scotland. A new coach, a lot of experience and leadership retired. The injuries to key players is unfortunate. Some of the younger players are now involved way more than was probably intended so some of the players are now playing for Scotland with just 10-12 professional games under their belt. Bit of hurt now but can only help us going forward.

Bruce: Scotland were never in with a shout of third. Always in a dog fight with Wales and Italy to avoid wooden spoon. If we played Wales now we would lose and finish last. Desperately poor.

Rosco: Need to be honest to move forward, Scotland women are miles off it. The players are simply not good enough or fit enough. They need to take a good look at themselves and accept things need to change.

GLASGOW WARRIORS

Dave: Tough game. Stormers really came at Glasgow and the forward battle was ferocious. Glasgow stuck at it and battled hard. There were a few uncharacteristic mistakes, but given the number of players out and the experience of the starters I was not that surprised by the scoreline. Glasgow will need to play better, and probably will, but they have also give some experience to a number of academy players in this mini tour. Tough but they are still in the hunt for top two and I think Franco Smith would have known that. Glasgow will need their top forwards back from injury for the season ending games.

Gus: Poor show by Glasgow, looked like they were on holiday. Always next week.

Bruce: Glasgow have run out of steam. Squad is good but lacks a bit of depth.

EDINBURGH

David M: Too little too late from Edinburgh again. Their season is to all intents and purposes over. It does not matter what they do now; they failed when it really mattered. And will do so again next season because that is what Edinburgh do.

David: A bad day at the office for Scottish rugby. Isn't it just as well we have Edinburgh.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Captain Rachel Malcolm warned before the Women's Six Nations that Scotland, with a new coaching team and a raft of inexperienced players, may have to take a step back in order to take a few forward.

If last weekend's humbling by world champions England at Murrayfield was entirely predictable - though the 84-7 scoreline was heavier than hoped - a 41-14 thrashing in Italy felt like the kind of setback Malcolm had forewarned.

The skipper was not part of it, having been ruled out prior to kick-off through injury. How the Scots could have done with Malcolm's experience as the Italians ran amok in Parma.

Five unanswered first-half tries scarcely did the Azzurri's dominance justice. While Lana Skeldon's try and a splendid score from Molly Poolman took a little of the ugliness off the final scoreline, Giordana Duca's seventh try, scored while Italy had two players in the sin-bin, was a stark indication of how far off it Scotland were.

There is context, of course. A whole new coaching team, that host of new, inexperienced players and injuries to key players such as Malcolm, Emma Orr, Rhona Lloyd and others made this a tough assignment in Parma.

Even allowing for those factors this was, aside from a bit of resistance shown in the final quarter, a desperately poor Scotland performance.

"I think Italy brought a whole lot of energy in defence, put us under pressure on our attack systems, and obviously forced a few errors, got a few turnovers early, which we were pretty disappointed about," said Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka.

"It's an area we identified that there would be a threat, and we just weren't as accurate as we wanted to be.

"We didn't get purchase early, we did some really positive things, turned it over, and momentum swung really quickly, so we've got to learn as a team that when momentum swings, we reset, and we go again and stick to the areas that we really wanted to target."

Fukofuka dismissed the idea his players were suffering an emotional hangover after the experience of playing at Murrayfield in front of a record crowd, only to fall to a huge defeat.

The head coach did, however, admit the injury toll will take some managing as the Scots look to bounce back against France at Hive Stadium on Saturday 9 May.

"Obviously it's a bit of a challenge when we don't have our top-line senior players, but the reality is a lot of teams are facing that," he said.

"For us now, it's about resetting, getting bodies right, looking forward towards France, and what we can do, having a bit of a break in the fallow week, before getting a really good week of prep, getting home to the Hive and playing in front of Scottish fans."

Scotland's hopes of a top-three finish in the Women's Six Nations suffered a significant setback as they were blown away by an inspired Italy side who registered their first win of the tournament in Parma.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game here

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn says there will be no sense of panic among his team after their horror URC double-header in South Africa.

After an eight-try hammering at the hands of the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend, the Scots suffered another heavy defeat to the Stormers, a loss that saw them lose their grip on top spot in the table.

The two games saw Glasgow concede a combined 14 tries and 102 points, with Franco Smith's side having nothing to show for their efforts.

"We came here, we lost the key battles both weeks, we lost set-piece, we lost the kicking game and then we coupled that with just too many errors and an ill-discipline, particularly in the first 40 of both games and it's just tough to build any rhythm or any momentum," Steyn told Premier Sports.

"Credit to both teams, they were pretty good at putting us away.

"There's no need to panic.

"It's a long season and these things happen.

"We've got a week to regroup now, and then we've got two more games, so it's just about sharpening up for that."

Stormers delivered a dominant victory over Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town to usurp the Scots at the top of the United Rugby Championship table.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game here

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is "excited about where the club is going" as he admitted he is already looking ahead to next season, with little to play for in their remaining fixtures.

The capital club have beaten Zebre and the Sharks in their past two games while fielding a very young side as 18 first-team players are currently injured within the squad.

Off the pitch, they have announced the arrival of two new coaches, Brad Davis and Tim Sampson, with two incomings already announced - centres Riley Higgins and Geordie Gwynn.

On top of that, they have also been linked to Crusaders scrum-half Louie Chapman, who is also Scottish-qualified.

"There will be a couple more," Everitt said of on-field signings. "We really are excited. We're actually excited about where the club is going.

"We started this process about 18 months ago - giving youngsters opportunities within the group so that they could grow into senior players.

"We've seen teams like the Lions being very successful in that process that we're going to follow.

"It's exciting times for Scottish rugby because we've been talking about 'who will be the next generation?' We've got several them on the field here."

In a dismal URC campaign, the rise of blindside Liam McConnell, 21, has undoubtedly been the bright point. Alongside him, tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and fellow flanker Freddy Douglas have become regulars.

Besides that trio, there have also been encouraging signs from scrum-half Hector Patterson, centre Findlay Thomson, and back-three players Jack Brown and Malelili Satala.

Speaking to Premier Sports, Everitt added: "The team came together and it was a question of 'what are we going to play for in the last four games?'

"They wanted to show fight, care for the jersey, and make the fans proud. We had a full house tonight and I'm sure they've done that."

The head coach also touched on the importance of Ewan Ashman, who had another storming performance in a strong individual season.

"He's a very important player to us," Everitt said. "He joined the leadership group several weeks ago and he's made a massive impact there as well. He's normally a quiet guy around the group.

"With that, his rugby has grown as well. He's improved his set-piece, but he's not getting uptight when he does lose one or two."

Edinburgh secured back-to-back wins for the first time since May as they came from behind three times to beat Sharks at the Hive.

Head coach Sean Everitt says it shows the club are heading in the right direction for next season.

Read the full match report.

Have your say on the game.

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Forward Elliann Clarke wants Scotland to "right some wrongs" against Italy in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday after their hammering by England last week.

The Scots followed their opening win over Wales with an 84-7 home loss and are looking to bounce back in Parma.

"Coming off the back of last week, we really are conscious that we want to put in a really good performance this weekend and right some wrongs from England last week," said Bristol prop Clarke.

"But we're excited to play against Italy. They've got some really exciting backs and they play a really fun, exciting brand of rugby to watch so I think it'll be a challenge.

"It always is, it's always a close game and it's gone back and forward between us over the last few years. But in training we've been really excited to take some steps forward and really get into them up front and in set-piece and just prove ourselves a bit further from last week.

"Physicality will be our first thing we're looking for and then just a bit of skill execution.

"We really want to go out there, score some points, put on a performance that genuinely we can be proud of as players, as coaches and for the fans at home to really give them something to cheer."

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Ryan Burke will make his first Glasgow Warriors start in the second row as captain Kyle Steyn returns for top of the URC table visit to Stormers.

Warriors lead the way by four points going into the contest in Cape Town and will need to improve on last weekend's 54-12 mauling from the Lions in Johannesburg.

There are 10 changes to the starting line-up, with Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson forming a new front row and Angus Fraser chosen at openside flanker.

Adam Hastings is back from injury at fly-half and is joined by scrum-half Ben Afshar.

Centre Sione Tuipulotu swaps places with Stafford McDowell after coming off the bench against the Lions.

Steyn and Ollie Smith are the wingers, with Kyle Rowe shifting to full-back.

The 6ft, 7in Burke, 21, who made his debut as a replacement in Johannesburg, will play alongside Alex Samuel.

Warriors, champions in 2024, and Stormers, the 2022 winners, share a record of 11 wins and four defeats.

"They are able to call upon some of the most exciting talents in the URC, blending physicality up front with an electrifying back-line," said Glasgow head coach Franco Smith of the hosts.

"It is a test that we know we must be at our best to match."

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Steyn (capt), Jones, Tuipulotu, Smith, Hastings, Afshar; Schickerling, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Burke, Samuel, Ferrie, Fraser, Dempsey.

Replacements: Matthews, McBeth, Talakai, Cockburn, Oguntibeju, Vailanu, McDowall, Oliver.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Brian asked: Regarding the ongoing coaching problems, why do the SRU/Edinburgh seem to be happy to sit and take all the flak without reply? If a player showed such lack of backbone, they would be gone.

Tom answered: The SRU might argue they're responding by appointing Brad Davis and Tim Sampson to the coaching ticket and signing Riley Higgins for next season. I'd imagine more names will be announced soonish.

Action speaks louder than words. I don't really care what the decision-makers at Edinburgh say, but I do care about what they do.

Their faith in Sean Everitt surprises me, but they've made that call now, however unpopular. They have a lot more calls to make. They need a top-class 10 and strong 15 for starters. And they need to get an awful lot more out of Duhan van der Merwe.

He's not going to be playing many Tests, I'd imagine, so he'd better get used to bringing his best stuff to Edinburgh instead. He's been an expensive luxury item the past two seasons - hampered by injury at times - and he needs a big club season next time around.

Alan asked: As Glasgow battle on while leading the URC table and after some good wins in Europe, the key question is will Franco Smith receive the backing to sign at least three high quality players at number eight, stand-off and centre?

Tom answered: They're losing a lot in the summer - Jack Dempsey, Huw Jones, Adam Hastings, Sione Vailanu, Johnny Matthews and Jamie Bhatti.

They're bringing in Ruwald van der Merwe, the 27-year-old South African back-row, and promoting a raft of talented players from the academy - Macenzzie Duncan, Matthew Urwin, Johnny Ventesei, Fergus Watson, Kerr Yule.

The outgoing players account for some pretty hefty salaries, so Smith needs to be given every latitude to recruit. The emphasis has to be on Scottish-qualified players but there is a little bit of give in that.

They need more at 10, they could do with another hooker, probably need a heavy-hitter in the back-row, too. Smith needs help. He's earned it.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has made three changes for Friday's home URC match against Sharks.

The Scottish outfit edged Zebre last weekend and they have kept the majority of that line-up.

Cammy Scott replaces Ross Thompson at fly-half, while Glen Young and Tom Currie come into the back row. Liam McConnell and Connor Boyle miss out with concussion.

"Last week's win gave us a huge lift," Everitt said. "It went right to the wire but the character the group showed – and particularly some of the younger players – to see it out was incredibly pleasing.

"We're excited to give Hector [Patterson] another shot at nine – he showed last week exactly what he's capable of. Cammy [Scott] has been outstanding in training and fully deserves his opportunity to start.

"The Sharks come to Edinburgh knowing they need to win, and they'll be fired up for that. They bring genuine international experience across the park, and we know how dangerous they can be. We won't be underestimating them for a second."

Edinburgh XV to face Sharks: O'Conor, Graham, M. Tuipulotu, Thomson, Satala, Scott, Patterson; Schoeman, Ashman, O. Blyth-Lafferty, Sykes, Gilchrist, Young, Douglas, Currie.

Replacements: Richardson, Venter, Hill, Hunter-Hill, Dodd, Shiel, Thompson, Brown.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions on Edinburgh arrivals and the physical strain on the modern rugby player.

David asked: New Edinburgh signings Hector Patterson, Riley Higgins and Geordie Gwynn: your thoughts?

Tom answered: I'll take Higgins first because there's more to study there than there is with the other two. He looks a really strong attacking centre and a solution to a major problem position. To me, he can play 12 and 13 and also on the wing, so great versatility.

A Super Rugby debut at 19, a former Junior All Black and New Zealand Undder-20 player, a call-up for an All Blacks XV in 2024-25. The pedigree is pretty strong.

And he's only 23. He won't be available until the end of October, but I'd have high hopes. If it wasn't for a broken leg last May he'd have a lot more Super Rugby games under his belt with the Hurricanes.

Mosese Tuipulotu and Higgins looks a very decent midfield for next season. Matt Currie has something as well. Let's see.

Gwynn is joining from the Ealing Trailfinders. Sixteen games played this season and 16 wins. He's only 22 and has a bit of versatility as well - wing or 13.

He was on the same Scotland U-20 team as Liam McConnell, Freddy Douglas and Patterson, so he'll have some familiar faces around him.

It's hard to judge him right now. The Trailfinders are so much better than everybody else in the English rugby Champ - 24 wins from 24 games with 21 bonus points. It won't be so easy for him next season.

Patterson is only 21 so let's not expect miracles just yet, but he's quick and lively and a real prospect. One Edinburgh game and one try already. Edinburgh's George Horne? Ok. I'll calm down, but he's got a lot of potential.

Rod asked: Many Glasgow players looked really tired last Saturday - it was more than the altitude. We now have the Nations Cup forcing teams to field their best players - how can we expect players to play almost a 12-month season? And how can this be good for the game?

Tom answered: I wouldn't have the South African teams in the URC. It was done purely for monetary reasons but the travel is madness and the toll on players is significant.

Plus, why is the northern hemisphere helping the world champions by bending over backwards to allow their teams compete in the URC and European competition? It's not like they need a helping hand to improve, is it?

I've said it for years, there's too much Test rugby, but I understand the respective unions derive most of their income from international games, so that's not changing any time soon.

When the time comes, I'd be kicking the South Africans out of the URC and shortening that league season. These players need more breathers.

Visit this page again on Friday morning for part two of the Q&A

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Grant Gilchrist has signed up for a 16th consecutive season at Edinburgh, with head coach Sean Everitt praising the Scotland lock as one the club's "greatest-ever players".

The 35-year-old - second behind Allan Jacobsen in Edinburgh's all-time appearance list - played his 231st game for the URC outfit last weekend and has started 11 matches this season.

He also remains a key part of the Scotland squad, becoming the country's most-capped lock during this year's Six Nations when he made his 88th international appearance.

Gilchrist, whose new deal runs through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, says it was a "no-brainer" to continue his Edinburgh career.

"This club is everything to me - it always has been," he added.

"I've never wanted to play anywhere else. As long as I feel I can compete at the highest level and give everything I've got for Edinburgh, I'll keep going. The day I can't do that is the day I'll walk away - but that day hasn't come yet.

"I still feel in a great place physically and I'm really motivated going into next season."

Everitt added: "Grant is one of Edinburgh's greatest ever players – I don't think there's any argument about that.

"But what makes him special is that he makes it easy to say that week in, week out, because he never gives you a reason to think otherwise.

"It's still a genuine pleasure to coach him every single week. His leadership is so vital to everything we do – on the pitch, in the changing room, around the whole squad. He sets a standard and the players around him rise to it."