Scottish Rugby

Tom English and Andy Burke are on the road at Oriam reflecting on Glasgow and Edinburgh's fortunes in Europe as well as previewing Scotland's Women in the Six Nations and Glasgow Warriors' home Champions Cup semi–final against Toulon.

Will Edinburgh's season finish on Sunday if they lose to Leinster? Will an Edinburgh defeat mean the end for Everitt? And can Glasgow do something special in the Cup without affecting their URC campaign? Tom and Andy have you covered.

Is there a good team waiting to come out following Edinburgh's performance against Leinster at the weekend? How far can Glasgow go in the competition?

Tom and Andy are also chatting to new Scotland Women's attack coach Dave Butcher about why he's left his family in Canada to coach Scotland, plus full back Chloe Rollie and captain Rachel Malcolm fill them in on their preparations for the Six Nations and their opening match away to Wales at the Principality stadium.

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Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm admits her side might have to take a step backwards in some areas at this year's Six Nations, but is enthused by a new era with the national team.

Australian Sione Fukofuka replaced Bryan Easson as head coach in December, with defence coach Tyrone Holmes also leaving the set-up.

Caity Mattinson, Lisa Cockburn and Jade Konkel ended their international careers after last year's World Cup, with the latter among players critical of Scottish Rugby for a perceived lack of support for the women's national team.

The Scots are also without key players Anne Young and Evie Gallagher through injury.

They start their campaign in Cardiff on Saturday against Wales, who they beat 38-8 at the World Cup.

"If I look at it from a realistic perspective, I don't think it's going to be perfect. I don't know where we're going to be," Malcolm told BBC Scotland before the Six Nations opener.

"I'm very confident in the work we've done, but it is a new cycle. We've had two weeks as a group.

"It's exciting because we're going to see where we're at. Until you're put in that Test match arena, you don't know.

"I think there might be a step back in some areas, but hopefully a step forward in more."

Malcolm might not be sure where Scotland will stand in this year's Six Nations, but she knows where they want to get to.

"We are at the start of a new cycle, but by the end of this cycle we don't want to be seen as an underdog," she said.

"We want to be a team that other teams see as a threat and to do that we need to string together consistent performances.

"We want to be a team fighting in that top four, five teams in the world and we're at an exciting point in that journey. Everything's new, everything's fresh."

Grant Young
Fan writer

Two of the URC's biggest teams went head to head on Saturday as Storm Dave tried its best to disrupt the Champions Cup last-16 match between Glasgow and Bulls.

Some of the other ties in the competition were basked in sunshine but not Scotstoun as all four seasons hit in the space of two hours.

Both teams were packed with internationals and left it all on the table with a space in the quarter-finals at stake.

The returning Stafford McDowall carried incredibly and hit his tackles like life depended on it. His reaction and cheer when he scored in the corner was deserved.

Josh Mackay was superb at 15 despite the wet and blustery conditions and was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet.

The game was marred with handling errors which is to be expected in the conditions but definitely something the coaching staff will look to tidy up before they face French giants Toulon in the next round.

A one-point victory over Stormers was enough for them to make the trip to Scotstoun on Saturday.

The French side have struggled domestically but have set their sights on Champions Cup success this season.

With a squad littered in international class to call upon, a great set-piece and a monstrous pack, it will be an almighty battle on Saturday.

Can Glasgow keep believing all the way to the semi-finals?

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

I had a plan for Sunday's game against Leinster - watch until it becomes too painful.

Leicester being carved apart by Bordeaux in the afternoon just reinforced that plan.

The first interception try we scored this season came last week with James Lang's pitch-length effort, so to score a further three by the interval this week was a surprise that gave me enough hope to keep watching.

We even took the lead in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it four minute period in the second half before that all too familiar last 20 brace restored the natural order that referee Luke Pearce seemed all too keen to promote.

The penalty given against Darcy Graham for pushing over the Leinster defender being a prime example.

I think Ian Madigan on commentary and Pearce were the only people who didn't see Ryan Baird have a good look, move to the side, turn his back on Graham and then audition for an Oscar.

Ross Thompson scored two excellent tries and had a good game overall, but was inconsistent off the tee.

One snatched, and one scored after it fell off the tee with five seconds left on the shot clock, and another hit the post. The two misses, had they gone over, would have seen us seven points clear at 61 mins. Psychologically, that might have helped.

Incidentally, did the push on Piers O'Conor by Caelen Doris in the run-up to Thompson's second try not merit some kind of sanction?

It was also unfortunate that we subbed off Dylan Richardson just before the play that led to Darcy Graham's excellent try.

Ben Muncaster - who has had a hard time injury-wise - went down in the lead up to that score. A tiring Richardson would surely have been better than an out-of-position Glen Young.

It would have been all too easy to see the whole game go south after being 14-0 down after just nine minutes, but Edinburgh stuck to their task and at least went down fighting.

The headline is that the rest of the season is academic, and the footnote is that it will be 2028 before we might see this competition again.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Do you have any burning questions for our rugby experts after Glasgow Warriors reached the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a win over Bulls and a last-16 defeat for Edinburgh at Leinster?

Maybe you want to know more about Warriors' future plans with hooker Johnny Matthews being the latest summer exit to be announced.

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

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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McDowall a top-class operator

The biggest surprise in Franco Smith's team for this massive last-16 match was his decision to pick Stafford McDowall at outside centre over British and Irish Lion Huw Jones.

McDowall was immense on a grim afternoon of wind and rain in Glasgow. He made a searing break that led to Warriors' first try and scored in the corner himself in the second half.

He was the standout performer for the hosts in a game where they had to dig deep against a team stacked with Springboks.

Smith's faith in youth pays off

When George Horne was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half, many Glasgow supporters would have feared the worst.

Horne is a bundle of energy and embodies much of what is good about Glasgow's attacking game.

However, 23-year-old Ben Afshar came off the bench and hardly put a foot wrong on the big stage.

There are several other examples in this Glasgow side of players that Smith has blooded, building depth by trusting youth and inexperience.

Just look at Gregor Hiddleston, Max Williamson and Alex Samuel.

Glasgow are real deal

It didn't really need this result to confirm it, but this Glasgow team are serious candidates to win not only the URC but the Champions Cup too.

They have won all of their European matches this season and are four points clear at the top of the URC league table.

Bulls might be eighth, but they were the last team to beat Warriors at Scotstoun and the physicality they bring is a challenge for any side.

Glasgow stood up to that challenge and the conditions, all while playing their attractive brand of attacking rugby.

Even a team of Toulon's stature will feel trepidation travelling to Scotstoun next weekend.

We asked for your views on Glasgow Warrior's 25-21 win against Bulls and Edinburgh's 49-31 defeat against Leinster.

Here's what some of you said:

Glasgow Warriors

Kenny: A tense game throughout but, even when Glasgow were behind, you felt like they'd eventually get their noses in front in the second half. I love that they kept trying, and sometimes succeeded, to play rugby even in conditions like these. Job done and on to the next one.

Chris: The confidence of knowing you can be 21-0 behind at half-time against the six-times champions and come away with a win. The way Glasgow have stuck to process shows that it will take one of the very best in Europe to beat them.

Stuart: Another big result shows why they are excelling on both fronts. The players and coaches won't say it but us fans can dream of something special this season.

Alan: Definitely a game for the forwards in that weather, and they all fronted up, but I thought Josh McKay was great. Secure under the high ball time and again, and his superb break in the last couple of minutes sealed the game.

Andrew: A true test of character to overcome a strong Bulls side in those conditions. Stafford McDowall has a strong case to stay ahead of Huw Jones for the time being, he is such a consistent player.

Edinburgh

Ewan: Three gifted tries hide the facts of another poor showing. The team played well but were never going to get the win. Amazing heart by the team but tactical naivety in not recognising Leinster's playbook left us bereft of ideas again. Wounded heroes who deserve better leadership.

Steve: Defensively at times the Edinburgh players didn't seem to trust the team-mate inside them and became narrow as a result. I just don't think Edinburgh are good enough in certain positions, and the coaches don't get as much out of the players as our west coast cousins seem to. Season over for Edinburgh, so hopes hang high on Glasgow.

Gordon: Edinburgh's attack was, yet again, shown to be impotent. Yes, they did score five tries, three were interceptions, one was due to poor Leinster defence and one was a piece of individualism. They had no phase play whatsoever in the Leinster 22 and very little in the Leinster half.

James: Edinburgh have a quality bunch of players, where the coach for the past three years has failed to build a winning culture. They lack creativity, the inability to score tries off phased play, the leaky defence is not where this team deserves to be. The SRU management have failed the players, the supporters and the national team, by extending the coaches contract for another two years.

Tom: Edinburgh were never going to win but it did show that Leinster can be sloppy. Leinster get so many penalties, some debatable, that you are always going to be playing in your own 22, so to beat them you need a defence that makes them take multiple phases to get into the red zone. Edinburgh can't do that and so lost too many tries. However, losing several players to injury didn't help. Can't criticise their effort and commitment, though.

Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson is certain her teammates won't underestimate Wales in their Six Nations opener, after they beat their rivals 38-8 at the World Cup last year.

Leinster turned on the style in the second half to beat Edinburgh 49-31 in a chaotic Investec Champions Cup last-16 game at the Aviva Stadium.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the match here.

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Lock Alex Samuel believes Glasgow's fitness was crucial as they ground out a narrow victory over Bulls to reach the last eight of the Champions Cup.

Warriors trailed 14-12 at half-time as rain and wind battered Scotstoun, but Franco Smith's side wrestled the advantage in the second half to secure a 25-21 victory.

Samuel and his teammates will welcome French side Toulon to Scotstoun next weekend for their quarter-final.

"Bulls certainly brought it, I'm just glad we dug it out in tough conditions," Samuel said.

"There's a bit of rivalry ever since we went over there and won the URC. I think that's good for the sport.

"We're aiming high in both competitions, but we're just taking it match by match. Franco doesn't let us get too far ahead of ourselves. It's about Toulon next week, we're focused on that.

"We back our fitness all the time. We don't work so hard in pre-season to not dig out victories. We're one of the fittest teams in the competition and our second half performance shows that."

Glasgow Warriors battled past Bulls to reach the Champions Cup quarter-finals in an attritional and thrilling scrap in the rain and wind at Scotstoun.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith speaking to Premier Sports: "It is play-off rugby, it is always going to be tight.

"Look at the Stormers earlier, it will be 80 minutes of it which is why I held the bench back a bit. It's good to introduce the boys to a bit of play-off mentality.

"They are a very determined side. They are starting to click, they came with a good plan for the weather. I have a lot of respect for Johan and what they are doing there.

"Stafford [McDowall] and Huw [Jones] are such quality players. They allow each other to be the best of themselves. Stafford deserved an opportunity."

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Skipper Kyle Steyn and four other Scotland internationals return to Glasgow Warriors' starting line-up for the Champions Cup last-16 tie with Bulls on Saturday.

Steyn leads from the wing while tight-head prop Zander Fagerson, number eight Jack Dempsey and fellow back-rows Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge also bolster Warriors after Six Nations duty with Scotland.

George Horne, who was rested for last weekend's URC win over Benetton, starts at scrum-half and Dan Lancaster is preferred at 10 to Adam Hastings. Huw Jones is not in the squad, with Stafford McDowall at outside centre.

Glasgow are seeded second having taken 20 points from 20 in the pool stage and another home tie awaits in the quarter-finals should they beat the South African visitors at Scotstoun.

"We are fully aware of the challenge that the Bulls will bring; they have a squad filled with international-calibre talent and have a strong track record of competing in knockout fixtures," said Warriors head coach Franco Smith.

"We know that we must front up to face what the Bulls throw at us, and training this week has been highly competitive with everyone driving each other forward."

Glasgow Warriors XV to face Bulls: McKay, Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith, Lancaster, Horne; Schickerling, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Samuel, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, Bhatti, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Ferrie, Fraser, Afshar, Hastings.

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Hooker Ewan Ashman will make his 50th appearance for Edinburgh against Leinster in the Champions Cup last-16 on Sunday in a side that features two changes from last weekend's defeat by Stormers.

Ashman is alongside D'arcy Rae in the front row, who returns from a calf injury at tighthead. Paul Hill, who started in Cape Town, is named on the bench.

The only other change for Sean Everitt's side is number eight Ben Muncaster coming into the back-row after recovering from concussion.

Muncaster replaces club captain Magnus Bradbury, who misses out with an ankle injury. Double-centurion Grant Gilchrist captains the side.

"We go to the Aviva Stadium with nothing to lose and everything to gain," head coach Everitt said.

"This is a group of players who believe in what they're doing, and we're going out there to have a real go at one of the best sides in Europe.

"We represent the Scottish capital - our supporters who have made the trip to Dublin and those watching back home - and that means a great deal to all of us.

"We're going to treat this for exactly what it is: a great opportunity to make history for this great club."

Edinburgh XV to face Leinster: Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Gilchrist, McConnell, Richardson, Muncaster; Shiel, Thompson, Satala, Lang, Currie, Graham, O'Conor.

Replacements: Blyth-Lafferty, Venter, Hill, Young, Douglas, Vellacott, Tuipulotu, Brown.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland have been dealt a double blow before their Women's Six Nations campaign with the news that two key players have been ruled out through injury.

Number eight Evie Gallagher, who was shortlisted for the player of the championship award last season, misses out alongside loosehead prop Anne Young.

Scotland start their campaign against Wales on Saturday, 11 April, playing at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Gallagher was also named in the team of the tournament last year and was one of Scotland's best players as they made it to the World Cup quarter-finals in England.

The 25-year-old's importance in the squad increased following former captain Jade Konkel's retirement from international rugby.

Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Gemma Bell has been called up as her replacement and will duke it out for a spot in the back-row alongside current skipper Rachel Malcolm, stalwart Rachel McLachlan and the promising Alex Stewart.

If required, locks Eva Donaldson and Louise McMillan could also move further back in the pack.

Young started all but one game in last year's Six Nations, but the 26-year-old picked up an injury playing for her club side, Loughborough Lightning.

She is replaced in the squad with uncapped 30-year-old Demi Swann, who was last called up for the WXV 2 tournament in 2023.

Other options for new head coach Sione Fukofuka at loosehead include Leah Bartlett, who is one appearance away from her 50th cap, and new face Poppy Fletcher.

Tighthead Elliann Clarke can play on the other side of the scrum, but her only back-ups are youngsters Molly Poolman and Imogen Spence.

Scotland are already without veteran campaigners Sarah Bonar and Lisa Thomson for the tournament, with hooker Elis Martin still returning from injury.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your questions as Edinburgh continue to frustrate their fans and Glasgow carry on thrilling theirs.

Iain asked: The definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome. What do Edinburgh have to do to change things around?

Tom answered: The vast majority of questions this week have come from disgruntled Edinburgh supporters, all along the same lines.

Jamie calls them turgid and says that at this rate nobody will be renewing their season ticket. Euan says this is the lowest the club has been. Dave says the absence of information and explanation as to why Sean Everitt's contract has been renewed betrays a lack of courage on behalf of the decision-makers at Murrayfield.

This is a recurring theme, isn't it? We discussed Edinburgh in some depth on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast this week. If you look back to the reasons given for Everitt getting a two-year extension they revolved around player development and his job of bringing through the next generation of talent.

Yes, that's part of it but not all of it. Franco Smith has done the development bit while being competitive in the URC and the Champions Cup. Edinburgh are miles off it. Miles.

There are precious few positives to support the decision to renew his deal. I'll be frank: he shouldn't have got one. Edinburgh were 10th when Everitt was given an extension and they're 13th now.

They have no real hope of making the top eight which, for me, is the minimum standard. It would be a miracle if they beat Leinster in the Champions Cup on Sunday. The first week of April and their season is as good as over.

They may change tack, accept this is nowhere near good enough and pay Everitt off, but I doubt it. There's no whispers to that extent. Not yet anyway.

I don't like talking this way because Everitt is a thoroughly decent human being who is trying extremely hard to turn this thing around, but it's not happening and I can't see it happening.

A new coaching regime is required. Smith at Glasgow is a heavy hitter and Edinburgh need somebody like him.

I'd be banging on the door of Michael Cheika, currently coaching in the NRL in Australia. Doesn't Scottish Rugby's performance director, David Nucifora, have a few contacts in his homeland?

Edinburgh is one of the great cities of Europe and its rugby team has so much potential. The job should be a very attractive one. This malaise is not good enough. The SRU need to show ambition for Edinburgh. You wouldn't blame fans for staying away if this carries on next season.

Ronald asked: Following our annual defeat to Ireland is it time for more heavyweight, aggressive forwards in the upcoming Nations Championship? Alex Samuel has been in incredible form recently and Josh Bayliss was seriously underused in the Six Nations.

Tom answered: Big Alex is a terrific player and you don't have to be Nostradamus to know his time is coming soon with Scotland. He has size and power and athleticism and skill. And he's only 23.

Glasgow are blessed with second-rows. Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Max Williamson. Alex Craig, the other Alex, Jare Oguntibeju - that's an extraordinary collection of locks. I want to see Samuel getting game-time in the summer with Tests against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji coming up. He looks ready to me.

As for Bayliss - he's a fine player. He got just over half an hour against Wales and the same against France. Maybe he should have played more but there are a lot of good players in there.

Jamie Ritchie and Matt Fagerson are excellent sixes and Gregor Brown is a terrific option as well. Jack Dempsey and Rory Darge are your mainstays in the back-row and there's massive competition for that other slot and the one on the bench. Bayliss is a very useful citizen to have around.

Ross asked: With Glasgow losing several key players at the end of this season, how important is it they recruit well and that they sign non-Scottish qualified players to cover during the Six Nations period?

Tom answered: They're already putting plans in place with the signing of Ruwald van der Merwe, the back-row from Pumas in South Africa. The 27-year-old spoke to Henco Venter before signing. If he's as good as Venter was then Glasgow are getting a fantastic player.

Glasgow have to keep going because they're losing a fair amount of star quality. The emphasis will always be on Scottish-qualified players and the promotion of talented academy players (and they have many) but they can't be slaves to that principle.

There has to be - and is - wriggle room to sign a non-qualified player if Smith is convinced he's the right guy.

I think we might see a few very recognisable faces coming into Glasgow for next season and maybe a few more, like Van der Merwe, who are not household names but will be critical when the Test lads are away.

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Would a change in head coach solve Edinburgh's problems?

BBC chief sportswriter Tom English thinks the Edinburgh team has "a lot going for it" but is lacking "a bit of class".

Sean Everitt's side are currently 13th in the United Rugby Championship with just four wins from their 14 games so far this season. Their Scottish counterparts Glasgow Warriors are top and have only lost three games.

"Scottish rugby has two teams, both of those coaches need to be potential Scotland coaches," English told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"Sean Everitt is not a potential Scotland coach, Franco Smith clearly is. They need a change. 13th, two points off 15th, it's embarrassing.

"Yes they have an injury list but everybody has an injury list. Everybody is missing stellar players, Edinburgh is not alone in that. So I'm not buying that particular argument if it's ever offered up.

"It's just uninspiring, it's dull, this team has got more in it. There's some very good players, it needs an infusion, a bit of class. It's got a lot going for it but you couldn't tell that by the performances and the results."

On the latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast, Tom English and Andy Burke answer listener questions and preview a big weekend for Glasgow and Edinburgh in the Champions Cup.

Will Edinburgh's season finish on Sunday if they lose to Leinster? Will an Edinburgh defeat mean the end for Everitt? And can Glasgow do something special in the Cup without affecting their URC campaign? Tom and Andy have you covered.

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Ruwald van der Merwe has agreed to join Glasgow Warriors on a two-year deal from this summer.

The 27-year-old South African, who operates in the back row, will arrive at Scotstoun after Pumas' upcoming Currie Cup campaign. Van der Merwe was Pumas captain for last year's SA Cup.

"I've followed the club for a while, and I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious set-up," he told Warriors media. "I'm looking forward to giving my best and contributing wherever I can.

"Supporters can expect a physical edge from me. Coming from South Africa, that's something I take pride in. I enjoy carrying hard, using a mix of strength and speed, getting my hands free for offloads and contributing physically on defence and at set-piece time.

"I want to make an impact in all areas and add as much as I can to the team."

Van der Merwe says Glasgow head coach Franco Smith "told me a lot about the environment and his coaching approach".

"I also spoke to Henco Venter, who had nothing but great things to say about the club and life in Glasgow, which made the decision even more exciting for me and my family," the loose forward added.

And Smith said: "Ruwald is a player that we have been keeping an eye on for a while, having identified him as someone that we believe can bring real value to what we are aiming to build here.

"He is a strong carrier who brings a real work ethic to everything he does and he is excited to become a Glasgow Warrior from next season."