Scottish Rugby

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Tom English feels Glasgow Warriors' URC quarter-final opponents Connacht will "feed off the underdog tag" when they head to Scotstoun on Friday night.

It'll be the fourth successive season in which Glasgow host the quarter-final but is set to be their last of the season at Scotsoun whether they progress or not.

If they get through, their semi-final is set to be at Murrayfield, while they are hopeful they would also be able to play their home final at the national stadium if they go all the way.

Franco Smith's side will likely be favourites to progress, but English is expecting Connacht to put up a serious fight.

"It's one of the toughest tasks you're going to get in the URC, especially with George Horne back in the team, Glasgow are a different side when he's playing," English told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"It is a formidable challenge for Connacht but they're coming here with a lot of form, a lot of momentum, a lot of belief.

"They will feed off the underdog tag as well. They will fire a lot of shots at Glasgow. I think Glasgow will have too much for them but it could be a classic game.

"It really could be a classic game because Connacht will not die wondering. They are going to have a right crack here.

"I think Glasgow will win the game but I'm really looking forward to it because it could be toe-to-toe for quite a while and I expect and hope Glasgow will pull away at the end."

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Centre Kienan Higgins is returning to Edinburgh on a one-year deal.

The 26-year-old previously joined Sean Everitt's side on a short-term basis in January from New Zealand side Hawke's Bay but has spent the intervening months in Major League Rugby with the New England Free Jacks.

Higgins will link up with his younger brother, Riley, who signed a three-year deal with the club back in April.

"I am absolutely delighted to be coming back to Edinburgh," he said.

"I loved my time here earlier in the season and I can't wait to see the squad again – there are some brilliant people at this club.

"It's obviously an incredible bonus that I get to come back alongside Riley; to play alongside my brother at the same club is something pretty special."

Head coach Everitt added: "We really enjoyed working with Kienan during his time here and we're delighted to welcome him back this summer.

"He made a strong impression during his spell with us and we're excited about what he can bring to the squad on a longer-term basis. He will add further competition in what is already a very competitive midfield group."

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Glasgow hope to have Scotland trio Matt Fagerson, Jamie Dobie and Scott Cummings available for their tilt at URC glory.

Stand-off Dobie and lock Cummings have both been sidelined by injury since the Six Nations earlier this year, but have returned to training before Friday's quarter-final at home to Connacht.

"Jamie and Scott trained last week, so we just need to see how they react," defence coach Scott Forrest said.

"We'll just wait and see whether they're actually in the mix this week, or obviously if we get past this weekend, then is it going to be the week after."

Back-rower Fagerson missed the last match of the regulation URC season as Glasgow sealed top spot with an away win over Ulster.

"That was probably a little bit more of a precaution," said Forrest. "He trained at the start of the Ulster week and then pulled up towards the end of the week, nothing too serious. He just felt his groin a little bit, so again, he should be back in the mix."

Gregor Brown and Huw Jones are both set to miss the visit of Connacht.

"It's a tough one for Gregor," said Forrest. "It was his first game back from his hamstring injury and he's tweaked his calf against Ulster. We'll just need to see how he reacts.

"Huw's still recovering in terms of his foot injury. He didn't train last week. He will hopefully play again this season but whether it's this week or semi-final, again if we get there, then we'll just wait and see."

This weekend's match is set to be Glasgow's last of the season at Scotstoun regardless of whether they progress or not.

If they get through, their semi-final is set to be at Murrayfield, while they are hopeful they would also be able to play their home final at the national stadium if they go all the way.

Scottish Rugby chiefs are trying to negotiate with concert organisers to ensure the stadium is available for Glasgow's potential involvement in the final on June 20.

"We still don't have confirmation," said Forrest, when asked about the possibility of being able to play a final at Murrayfield.

"If that happened obviously, it would be great for our fans and it would be great for us but until it's confirmed we don't really want to pay too much attention to it.

"And having been knocked out in a quarter-final of the European competition already [against Toulon], we're trying not to talk or look past this Friday night against Connacht."

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Back-row Connor Boyle has signed a one-year contract extension to stay with Edinburgh next season after battling back from a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old made his return in December after more than a year out.

Boyle, who has played 49 times for his hometown club, said: "This club means everything to me – it always has.

"The last year and a bit has been the hardest of my career but I never once thought about giving up.

"I worked as hard as I've ever worked to get back out on that pitch, and I feel like I'm getting back to my best. There's still so much I want to give."

Head coach Sean Everitt added: "What Connor has shown over the past 12 months is the kind of character that defines this group.

"Coming back from a long-term injury of that nature takes real mental strength, and he's done it the right way – quietly, diligently, without fuss.

"He's an Edinburgh man, born and bred, and that matters. He understands what this club means to the supporters and what it means to wear this jersey."

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Ally Miller has signed a contract extension as Glasgow Warriors gear up for the URC play-offs.

The 30-year-old back-row joined Glasgow in 2021 having come through the ranks at Edinburgh and has made 47 appearances for Franco Smith's side

"The momentum we have here as a squad is brilliant, and I've loved contributing to this group throughout the last five years," said Miller.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to get my head down and do my bit for the boys."

Head coach Smith, whose side host Connacht next Friday in the play-off quarter-final, said: "Ally's work ethic and diligence to becoming the best version of himself has been evident throughout his time with us, and makes him a real asset to our squad."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

It didn't matter on a grand scale. We were unable to make the eight but finishing a tempore horribilis with one of our worst-ever defeats at home felt somewhat fitting.

The 26-5 thrashing by Connacht may even be the worst-ever defeat at the Hive depending on your standpoint. A 21-point deficit. The same as 2022 when we lost to Munster but that day it was 38-17 and we at least managed three tries.

It is also our joint worst points total (38) in the URC, matching our total in 2022-2023. We won one fewer game back then but 12th was the headline for both years.

The game itself displayed a number of things that have been apparent for the entire season.

The effort was there but the words of Richard Cockerill spring to mind: "Effort should not be commended. It should be expected."

Our attack was hopeless or directionless or wayward or just hapless. Pick your own adjective. After 20 minutes we had 78% possession, had been in Connacht's 22 at least five times and scored zero points.

Connacht's defence was good but we offered little bar physicality which they just soaked up.

We had an opportunity for an easy three points in that opening quarter and then there was another chance after Connacht had taken the lead. It may not have made a difference but it might have put a different dynamic on the game and changed the narrative.

As already alluded to, the bodies were definitely on the line but it felt like the brains were on the beach.

No one bar Darcy Graham had anything approaching a decent game in the backline. The performance as a whole was typified by the moment after we scored our late try. Ross Thompson was given two shots at the conversion and missed both.

So where does this leave Edinburgh?

I do have some confidence in an upturn in our fortunes for the new season but it will depend on how quickly our new recruits arrive and how readily they adjust to their new surroundings.

Given that a couple of those signings may not be with us until late October, the fixture list which has just been released could be significant.

We will soon find out if those are the pieces required or if it's the board itself that needs to change.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

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Craig Chalmers paid tribute to his friend and former Scotland teammate Scott Hastings, who died on Sunday, aged 61.

The pair played together during Scotland's Grand Slam win in 1990 and Chalmers says he has spoken to people around the world paying their respects.

"It's very sad news," he told BBC Scotland. "Scott was a rugby hero to many - an icon in the game, not just in Scotland.

"He wasn't just a great player, he was a great friend. He was so positive about everything. He would light up a room.

"He would do anything for anybody. He made me feel so welcome when I came into the Scotland team. He was a great person, but a fun person as well."

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We asked for your memories of the great Scott Hastings, who died on Sunday aged 61.

Scott: I worked briefly with Scott in the mid-80s, with offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We were only four years apart in age. Already a 'celebrity' rugby player before there was such a thing, I had the pleasure of Scott's company when he gave me a lift back to Edinburgh from Glasgow, where I was working, in his car. All I can remember was his relaxed nature and that the journey was full of laughs and stories. I wish I remembered more. Years later my parents sold our house to Gavin Hastings. RIP Scott. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Gary: Very sad news. Great player. Great man. Thoughts with his children at this tough time.

Dennis: Terribly sad news. His partnership with Sean Lineen in the Scottish midfield was every bit as good as Huwipuloto. A great player and an even greater man.

Hector: Scott Hastings was an absolute hero growing up. I could not believe it when I heard this news and had no idea he was so ill. As many have said, despite the personal anguish he must have experienced with his late wife Jenny, he was always remarkably positive and enthusiastic about life and about rugby. His passion and completely non-biased, fair views were really refreshing in this day and age. He was part of perhaps the last 'golden' era of Scottish Rugby greats who's feats will be indelibly inked in folklore forever. A huge loss for the game of rugby.

Bruce: So sad to see another Scottish legend pass away. Iconic moment for me was the second-half try-saving tackle on Rory Underwood in the 1990 Grand Slam game - I remember it if it was yesterday. A true gentleman of the game. RIP.

Graham: His try against England in 1986. I was on a survey vessel off Mumbai when we eventually received a three day old Daily Record… we couldn't believe the score. Later I saw the highlights and remember the great Bill McLarens commentary: 'oh look at the joy on his face!' A great player and a force off the field as well. Sleep well laddie.

One of Scotland's best and most loved rugby union players, Scott Hastings, has died at age 61.

Hastings, alongside his brother Gavin, was part of the last Scotland side to win a Grand Slam when they triumphed in the 1990 Five Nations.

After ending his rugby career in 1999, Hastings became a well known rugby broadcaster, both as a commentator and pundit.

What are your favourite memories of Scott, both on the pitch and off it? Let us know here.

Ireland finished their Six Nations campaign in style with a dominant victory over Scotland in front of a record attendance at the Aviva Stadium.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka: "Firstly, congratulations to Scott, Erin and the Irish team. They've been building for a few years and clearly played a really successful campaign, with three home wins.

"We're really frustrated that we didn't go out and execute the way we wanted to. I'm really proud of the fightback second half, showed what our potential is. But we've got to be better at starting games and giving ourselves opportunities to be in the game.

"I don't think it was the occasion. It was a bit of a learning. We've got senior players not here, but what we did in the second half was show that regardless, we are a good team that can play.

"A big focus has to be on how we prepare during the week and how we start in first halves. The character is there, you can see that. The fight is there, but going forward we need to look at how we play at the beginning.

Scotland captain Helen Nelson told the BBC: "Playing away to Ireland is always a tough gig. There's no shying away from the fact it's been a tough campaign for us. From the injuries we've had, from the new squad, we've got a lot of new faces in.

"To be honest, we are very frustrated with that first half. We showed second half a little bit more of what we're about. There are positives to take moving forward, but a frustrating day for us.

"We were aware we were losing the kicking battle, so we had to keep the ball in hand. We just had to try and build some possession because we hadn't touched the ball first half.

"I said in the circle to the younger players that these are experiences we learn a lot from, and we'll use in the future. There's no shying away from the fact that it has been a frustrating campaign for us.

"As a senior player, going through the rebuild after the highs of the World Cup, it's been a tough one to take."

Rugby fans, we asked for your opinions on Glasgow Warriors narrowly beat Ulster and Edinburgh lost to Connacht in the final regular season URC games.

GLASGOW

Graeme: Glasgow got out of jail in Belfast so hopefully it's a home venues route to the final. But Belfast for the final, really? Why not just take it to Dublin? The consequences of a non-Scottish venue must surely be for heads to roll at the SRU. Incompetence doesn't even begin to cover it!

Chris: Five points needed, five points gained. Have to point out some brilliant performances from the younger players - Euan Ferrie was phenomenal, Maccenzie Duncan was brilliant, and Alex Samuel is going to be starting for Scotland before long.

Stuart: Warriors did well to beat a determined Ulster. Two very loose passes gave advantage and belief to the men in white, but the Warriors stuck to task. Josh McKay was unlucky to be binned, but that 'clothes line' tackle on Kyle Rowe when he scored should have been a red card and penalty try. Handling errors caused issues that need to be sorted before quarter-final. Dan Lancaster, no more long passes please.

EDINBURGH

Steve: Edinburgh's early domination was as good as I've seem from them this season, but sadly not rewarded as Connacht were allowed to infringe far too often in these pressure areas without any warning for their persistence. I am talking about potentially try-saving infringements, for which the defending side will be happy to give away a penalty until the ref says enough. Who knows if it would have changed the result, but I've seen more sanction given for less infringement.

Robert: I have renewed my season ticket, but I am already beginning to wonder why. No reason to think we will be in a different place this time next year. Terrible waste of a talented squad.

TCA: Ahh, classic Edinburgh. Just when there were glimmers of hope we revert to type. For Sean Everrit to come out and blame the first four games of the season is ludicrous and suggests he's as clueless as the rest of us when trying to figure out why this star-studded team stumbles time after time.

Dave: I thought Sean Everitt was on the spot with his assessment. The Edinburgh attack was blunt and played too much behind the gain line with very little disguise in their play.

It was quite frustrating to watch Edinburgh get picked off by Ulster. Given Everitt's comments, I take it they are not coached to play that way and it was an on pitch issue. They need to fix this during the summer. We have seen Piers O'Conor in several positions in the back line this year, he does not look comfortable in any at this level.

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Glasgow Warriors' United Rugby Championship play-off quarter-final with Connacht will take place on Friday, 29 May with a 19:45 BST start.

Franco Smith's Warriors sealed top spot in the URC table after defeating Ulster away on Friday evening, when Connacht beat hosts Edinburgh. After Saturday's results, Connacht finished eighth in the standings.

The three other quarter-finals will take place on Saturday, 30 May with Bulls at home to Munster at lunchtime, Cardiff visiting Stormers in the afternoon and Leinster welcoming Lions in the evening.

The semi-finals are both scheduled for 6 June, with the final set for 20 June.

Connacht won their last meeting with Glasgow in Galway, triumphing 15-10.

This month's play-off tie at will be the sides' first meeting at Scotstoun since early 2025.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt spoke to BBC Scotland after his side's 26-5 home URC defeat by Connacht.

"It is disappointing because we did so many good things in the game to get field position," Everitt said. "We got the entries that we needed to be able to get a result.

"We got 18 possessions and 14 entries, so we've got to be better with ball in hand. You've got to give credit to Connacht for the way they defended and they were desperate tonight. But yeah, really disappointed that we couldn't get over the line and get a win tonight.

"The attack let us down this season, I believe. Last year we were good with ball in hand. It's going to take a squad of 45 to be able to do well in this competition. And we're not there yet as far as depth is concerned.

"There's multiple reasons why we haven't got there [in the top eight]. I thought in the first block, we probably let a few games slip there by losing by one or two points. And I think that cost us dearly, those first four weeks.

"If you get three of those wins in the first block, it makes it a hell of a lot easier at the end. And we've got to be better when we go to South Africa and come away with points."

Edinburgh suffered another disappointing URC defeat as their season ended with a whimper against Connacht, while Glasgow secured their place at the top of the standings with a narrow win away to Ulster.

Have your say on the respective matches.

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports: "It's a tough season to stay on top. A massive achievement for my players and the club. It was arguably the toughest competition this year that we've ever been part of.

"It's not easy to go to South Africa and get points there but I'm pleased we were able to bounce back.

"We wanted five points tonight - that was the mission. There are some boys coming back. I don't know what the [injury] outcome is from tonight, but we've got 10 days to prep well.

"The boys worked hard this year. They got stuck in, compliments to the coaching group and the players.

"I cannot talk about something I don't have. [Affidea Stadium] is a nice place for a final to be played.

"It's a different game, a play-off. We know it's different from the round-robin games. It's drawing a line under the season."

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Hamish Watson and Charlie Shiel are among nine players leaving Edinburgh at the end of the season.

Watson, who has made 181 appearances, is currently on a short-term loan with Leicester, while scrum-half Shiel has played 93 times.

Some of the other departing players, such as Lions-bound Boan Venter, had previously confirmed their exits.

Completing the list of departures are James Lang, Ben Healy, Sam Skinner, Angus Williams, Ross McCann and Mikey Jones.

"Every one of them has given their all for the jersey, and I want to express my sincere gratitude for the commitment and passion they've shown for Edinburgh," said head coach Sean Everitt.

"We wish them nothing but the very best in the next stage of their careers.

"We obviously want to give a special mention to Hamish Watson – an all-time Edinburgh legend and one of the finest players ever to represent this club.

"We hope he gets back to full fitness soon and has every opportunity to challenge for silverware with Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. He deserves that."

Venter and Shiel could make farewell appearances off the bench when Edinburgh host Dragons on Friday in their final URC fixture of the season.