Scottish Rugby

Glasgow Warriors moved to the top of the URC table after a hard-fought bonus-point victory over Zebre in Parma.

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports: "It's always excellent to win here.

"It wasn't pretty tonight, Zebre put up a big fight and never went away.

"Compliments to them and their coaching group. We put them under pressure in several areas of the game, but at the set-piece specifically."

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Gwalia Lightning ran in seven tries as they swept to a 43-7 victory over Edinburgh in the Celtic Challenge.

In a tight first half at Hive Stadium, prop Maisie Davies crossed twice for the visitors either side of an Edinburgh penalty try.

It was a totally one-sided contest after the break though as the Welsh outfit asserted control.

Tries from Bryonie King, Sian Jones, Catherine Richards and a double for Lily Terry ensured a comprehensive Gwalia win.

They have won four of their five matches in the competition, while Edinburgh have tasted victory just once.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Grant Gilchrist says Edinburgh will have to "do it the hard way" to reach the URC play-offs this season.

Sean Everitt's side went down 19-17 to the Bulls at Hive Stadium on Friday night to leave them 11th in the table, with a trip to Dublin next up to face Leinster.

Having led 17-5 at half-time, Gilchrist says defeat to the South Africans was tough to take.

"That one hurt, just for the position we were in," the Scotland lock told BBC Scotland.

"We spent the whole second half in our own half. There's probably a few reasons for that, a couple at set-piece. Our kicking game, our chasing game could have been better.

"Even when we did do two or three things well, we got up to halfway, we then invited pressure back down and we just spent the whole second half down our end.

"We were massively frustrated, because where we put ourselves in the game, we had to come out in the second half and we knew the challenge that lay ahead of us.

"If we started the second half well, we could pull away from them, because when we had possession in their half, we looked like we were going to score every time. We just couldn't get any of that possession in the second half.

"It's bitterly disappointing because we saw the last two results in the league and this was an opportunity to put ourselves back in there.

"Now we're going to have to do it the hard way and there's no excuses. We've got to knuckle down and go to work every week.

"We did it last year, we can do it again."

Edinburgh's United Rugby Championship play-off hopes were dented as Bulls came from 12 points down to win in the Scottish capital.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt: "The tide turned and we were overpowered in the second half.

"We've got to look at set-piece, territory and defence. Our defence was really good to keep them out but our set-piece got overpowered and that put us under pressure.

"Very frustrating and disappointing. When you're under pressure, sometimes you don't take the right options. Pressure does strange things, but we've got to take that one on the chin.

"I couldn't see any better angles and I can't comment [on the Bulls' third try]. They must have seen the grounding.

"We're in a similar position [to last year]. We need to move on and prepare well [for the Leinster game]. It is getting tight at the bottom of the log.

"Ewan [Ashman] strained a ligament in his neck against Bath last week. He was able to run and do non-contact training, but he wasn't 100%. I don't think he's in doubt for the Six Nations."

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Fly-half Adam Hastings returns from a two-week injury lay-off for Glasgow Warriors' URC trip to Zebre on Saturday.

The Scotland international - who will join Montpellier at the end of the season - is one of five changes to the side that swept aside Saracens in the Champions Cup last weekend.

Jamie Bhatti and Murphy Walker come into the front row, while Max Williamson partners Alex Craig in the second row.

Gregor Brown replaces Matt Fagerson at blindside in the other change to the pack, with Hastings the only alteration in the backs.

Franco Smith's side are second in the league table and a bonus-point victory in Italy would secure the Scottish-Italian Shield for the fourth straight season.

"We know that we must continue to display the best version of ourselves tomorrow night, as we look to keep our recent momentum going upon our return to the URC," Smith said.

"Zebre possess a proud home record and a playing group packed with talent, with several of their players having been named in the Italy squad earlier this week.

"Training has been sharp and focused this week, and we are looking forward to the challenge tomorrow night."

Glasgow Warriors XV to face Zebre: Rowe, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Smith, Hastings, Horne; Bhatti, Hiddleston, Walker, Craig, Williamson, Brown, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, McBeth, Z. Fagerson, Cummings, Ferrie, M. Fagerson, McDowall, Afshar.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt takes "confidence" from Scottish rivals Glasgow Warriors' recent success and progress after agreeing a new contract with the capital side until the summer of 2028.

Everitt's men return to United Rugby Championship action at home to Bulls on Friday evening, after beating Gloucester and losing to Bath in the Champions Cup.

Edinburgh are 10th in the URC, eight places and 17 points below 2024 champions Glasgow.

"We take a lot of confidence out of what Glasgow are doing and the plan we have in place for Edinburgh going forward," said Everitt.

"They're sitting with a group that have been together now for a number of years. You've just got to look at their backline as an example to see that. The only real change to their team is Adam Hastings coming at 10. That was to obviously fill a hole that was left by Tom Jordan, who's comfortable in that position as well.

"They're a settled team, they've built a lot of experience and I'm sure at some stage in the near future, they're going to have to be looking at the replacements of the likes of a Huw Jones etc.

"We do look at them as a way forward. We take confidence of what they have achieved in Europe as well as in the URC over the years."

Everitt says Edinburgh are "looking at evolving our squad".

"Consistency in the coaching group goes a long way towards success and building a future for a club that's sustainable," he explained.

"We're not the finished article. There's been a lot of movement within our group for some time now and with the youngsters coming through, it's really exciting times for Edinburgh.

"Over the longer term, we want to build a squad that is sustainable for a period of time and not just over two years but over the next two to eight years and that's important for us and that will bring success to the club."

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Hooker Seb Stephen is convinced Glasgow Warriors can win both the Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship this year.

Glasgow lifted the URC trophy in 2024 for the first time in nine years and are currently second in the table.

They continue their Champions Cup glory bid - after a perfect group-stage campaign - in April with a last-16 tie at home to the Bulls.

When asked if winning both the URC and Champions Cup was a stretch, 20-year-old Stephen said: "I don't think so.

"That's definitely something Franco has mentioned to us. It would be pretty special to do that.

"I don't know if it's been done before but I definitely think we've got the capabilities to do it."

The last team to win the URC and Champions Cup double was Leinster in 2017-18.

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Glasgow Warriors will face Bulls in the Champions Cup on Saturday, 4 April, with a 17:30 BST kick-off at Scotstoun Stadium.

And for Edinburgh's tie, they will visit four-time winners Leinster on Sunday, 5 April, again with a 17:30 start.

Warriors progressed to the round of 16 after finishing top of Pool 1. Edinburgh were fourth in Pool 2.

Should the Scottish sides reach the quarter-finals, those ties will take place from 10-12 April.

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Edinburgh welcome back Duhan van der Merwe for Friday's United Rugby Championship visit of Bulls after the Scotland winger missed last week's Champions Cup mauling at Bath with a calf problem.

Experienced forwards Grant Gilchrist and D'Arcy Rae also return from injury, while Pierre Schoeman, Magnus Bradbury, Wes Goosen and Liam McConnell are restored after being rested at The Rec.

"It's fantastic to welcome back such an experienced cohort of players for what is undoubtedly one of our biggest tests of the season," said head coach Sean Everitt.

"Having the likes of Duhan, Grant and D'arcy back from injury, alongside Pierre, Wes and Liam gives the squad a massive lift.

"We know exactly what the Bulls bring. Their squad is packed with Springbok talent and they play a physical, high-intensity brand of rugby. We have to match that physicality from the very first minute if we want to come out on top."

Edinburgh can boast a 100% record at the Hive Stadium this season and sit 10th in the URC table, one point above the South African visitors, who have finished runners-up in three of the past four seasons.

Edinburgh: Paterson, Graham, Goosen, Lang, Van der Merwe, Thompson, Vellacott; Schoeman, Ashman, D'arcy Rae, Young, Gilchrist, McConnell, Douglas, Bradbury.

Replacements: Morris, Venter, Hill, Hunter-Hill, Muncaster, Shiel, Scott, O'Conor.

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for the Six Nations.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Dave: Surprised by the omissions in the forwards. It hasn't really recognised the success of Glasgow and what it has been built on - young players learning and playing while maintaining a winning culture. Gregor Hiddleston is very unlucky, while Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry are both incredibly fortunate. Maybe says more about the attritional nature of the Six Nations, with Gray picked for his bulk for the games against England and France.

Russell: Disappointed, where is the forward thinking here? Cherry and Gray have been great servants, but going by form Hiddleston and Seb Stephen should have been involved. Same applies to Duhan van der Merwe, not been the same player for almost the past year and lucky to be in the squad. In fact all Scottish players from Glasgow should be in the squad based on form.

Jim: I'm sorry but this is a classic Townsend selection - favourites over form. No Hiddleston, Stephen, Euan Ferrie or Alex Samuel who are all playing out of their socks for Glasgow. Gray and Cherry get in who aren't playing consistently? Bonkers. Hooker is still a major concern now with the young guns not considered, while second row is missing out on some players in the form of their lives and we'll still have Grant Gilchrist starting.

Scott: An opportunity missed for Townsend to win back some favour with the fans. Complete leftfield calls for two ageing locks, one of whom had removed himself from Scotland availability a year ago, and a hooker playing second-division rugby in France. Another Six Nations to watch from behind the sofa. Surely we need as many of the potential Rugby World Cup squad to get test minutes before next year?

Chris: As expected Warriors rightly make up half the squad - some club confidence and cohesion alongside experienced, established Test players. Do feel for Hiddleston, I suspect he and the other A players won't be far from the squad during the tournament. His chance will come.

Jimmy: Considering the competition, and the current form of the competition, the selections of Cherry, George Turner and Van der Merwe look like someone trying to get back to the good old days, which were not really that good.

On this week's BBC Scotland Rugby podcast, Tom English and Andy Burke catch up with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend as he explains his Six Nations squad selection.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Thank you Toulouse, thank you for hitting Sale Sharks for 77 points and making Edinburgh's 63-10 loss to Bath look almost respectable.

Taking a second-string team to an away game in European competition is not unusual these days. The French clubs with a hugely demanding domestic league complete with actual relegation are notorious for it.

It is understandable there can be a trade-off when progress in the competition is impossible. But making that decision when a lucrative and winnable home tie in the next round is achievable, is unacceptable.

The planning of this particular campaign now looks even more slipshod as results in our pool have made it clear a win at Castres could have delivered a second-place finish and money-raising home draw.

Even a losing bonus point or try bonus point would have meant third place and although that would still be away, it would have been a more favourable draw.

Instead we have recorded our third worst ever result in European competition and the assertions about Sean Everitt's contract extension demonstrating continuity look increasingly ridiculous.

The only thing that is continuing under his stewardship is mediocrity.

I don't blame the players for the humiliation against Bath. They made mistakes but they were errors that have their origins in the coaching platform.

I blame that coaching for the lack of a cohesive attack and for their inability to manage their resources better and I blame the SRU for rewarding that mediocrity and for an inflexible player rest protocol that demonstrates there is little interest in making Edinburgh successful.

If Edinburgh are bang average then how is that preparing these young players for the international stage? Equally I can't imagine you learn too much at the painful end of a shoeing.

The upshot is we are away to Leinster and another potentially humiliating defeat awaits that will see us taken less seriously than we already are.

Meantime there will be soundbites about putting things right and a combative display against Bulls to disguise our bigger problems.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch, external

Grant Young
Fan writer

A Franco Smith fist pump and smile signalled the end to a historic undefeated group stage to the Champions Cup for the Warriors.

Confirmed as second seeds, a meeting with old foes the Bulls awaits.

Glasgow showed they are a team with a point to prove in the 28-3 dismantling of English powerhouse Saracens, a side filled with British and Irish Lions and England frontliners.

In past seasons Glasgow have faltered in big moments - defeat on the road to Leinster stand out - but this squad this season all speak about their confidence as individuals and a collective.

Jack Demsey played like a man possessed. He tackled hard, ran even harder and got in the face of every single Saracens player. He is frighteningly good when he has this look about him.

There is a calmness and steadiness to how Kyle Rowe goes about his play. Whether defensively or with ball in hand he oozes class.

And with Warriors in fine form, it was great to see 19 of the club's players selected in Scotland's Six Nations squad.

Franco has transformed this Glasgow side and has the fans believing a glory run is possible. Have I looked at ways to get to Bilbao for the final in May? Of course I have.

It is back to URC action this weekend with a trip to Italy to face Zebre, where a much-changed line up with first-choice players rested is likely.

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Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his Scotland squad for the Six Nations.

Here are the key lines:

• Townsend insists he does not feel under extra pressure after Scotland's poor autumn campaign: "No, I don't really think in those terms. I think I'm so privileged to be going into another Six Nations. I can't wait to be working with the players again. When I see the team, I see the players in really good form, it excites me what's coming up ahead."

• Explaining his decision to recall Dave Cherry, Townsend says "his experience is really important" and the Vannes hooker "probably should have been in the November squad".

• On the inclusion of Jonny Gray despite a lack of game-time at Bordeaux: "He's actually in really good form. He's playing with one of the best clubs in Europe. He's looking fit and sharp, his workrate is outstanding. Again, someone who played really well last year's Six Nations. He's someone that has played well for us and we can rely on him if required during this championship."

• With Cherry selected, fellow hooker Gregor Hiddleston misses out despite being first choice for Glasgow. Townsend said: "Gregor's not really been involved with us so far so he's going to get an opportunity in the A game against Italy. We've got a lot of competition there but for now he's going to get that chance in the A team."

• The Scotland head coach is not worried about Duhan van der Merwe's patchy form: "Probably more concerning is that he's had a few injuries. He's not really had a run of games. I thought his last game was really good against Gloucester. He's finding his form and he just needs to get some more games."

• Townsend is seeking improvement from the Autumn Tests and says "progress" for Scotland would be "playing close to our potential, being consistent, delivering that performance in five games. It's tough to do that, but that would be progress if we can play well for five games."

• He says Glasgow Warriors' momentum and confidence "should count for a lot" in his Scotland squad, adding: "A lot of the players are playing alongside their team-mates, whether that's in the forward pack or the midfield or back three. You know that they've got a language that they've been using in training that they can carry on."

• Townsend expects a "very difficult" challenge in the opening match away to Italy: "We obviously lost there last time, so that's just the reality. Italy have been improving every year now."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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When the Scotland squad was announced the temptation was to re-read it on the assumption that Gregor Hiddleston, the outstanding Glasgow hooker, was in it but was just missed at first reading.

But he's not. And it's unfathomable. Dave Cherry, aged 35 and playing second division rugby in France, is in. So is George Turner, 33 and a bit-part player for a Harlequins side that's been playing poorly. Neither have played Test rugby since the last Six Nations.

Hiddleston's omission is a total puzzler. Astonishing. Cam Henderson, the Leicester giant, also misses out. Another head-scratcher, particularly when Jonny Gray has dropped out of the sky and been included despite largely playing a bench role for Bordeaux and not playing for Scotland at all in close to a year.

Henderson and Alex Samuel are not included, which is to ignore two form locks.

Elsewhere, the squad looks strong with some youth in Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas and plenty of X factor. The exclusions are eye-catching, but there's still plenty to like.

Gregor Townsend has named a 40-man Scotland squad for the Six Nations.

There are recalls for experienced pair Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry, while young Edinburgh duo Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas are also included.

What do you make of the squad? Has head coach Townsend got the big selection calls right, or are any glaring omissions?

Tell us your thoughts here.

Scotland squad

Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Freddy Douglas, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Nathan McBeth, Liam McConnell, Elliot Millar Mills, D'arcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Max Williamson.

Backs: Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Finn Russell, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.