Connacht V Edinburgh

First topic message reminder :

Scotland international Darryl Marfo will make his long-awaited return from injury as Edinburgh travel to face Connacht in tomorrow night’s crucial Guinness PRO14 encounter (Friday 23 March, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

The inclusion of the loose-head is one of five changes made to the side that defeated Munster at BT Murrayfield last weekend as Edinburgh search for their sixth consecutive league victory.

Scotland star Blair Kinghorn returns to the starting XV following his scoring exploits in the NatWest 6 Nations. The fullback is joined in the back-three by Dougie Fife and Duhan van der Merwe – with the latter grabbing a brace in last weekend’s win.

An unchanged midfield sees Chris Dean and Mark Bennett continue their burgeoning partnership, whilst at half-back, South African stand-off Jaco van der Walt is joined by Nathan Fowles.

Hooker Neil Cochrane packs down in a revamped front row alongside Scotland internationalists Marfo and Simon Berghan, while Grant Gilchrist and Ben Toolis are named at lock.

The industrious trio of Magnus Bradbury, John Hardie and Bill Mata are all named in an unchanged back-row.

Elsewhere, Scotland international Cornell du Preez is named amongst the replacements and if involved the six-times Scotland capped number eight will make his 100th appearance for the club.

On his team selection, Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “We’re taking steps in the right direction. We’re working as hard as we can.

“Last week against Munster, I just wanted the boys to go out there and play as well as they could. The effort was just unbelievable, it’s where we want to be.

“We know how tough an opponent Connacht are – especially at home, where conditions aren’t always brilliant. But, we’re going there full of confidence that we can get a positive result.”

Edinburgh team to face Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 at The Sportsground on Friday 23 March (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

15. Blair Kinghorn (59)

14. Dougie Fife (101)
13. Mark Bennett (6)
12. Chris Dean (61)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (12)

10. Jaco van der Walt (12)
9. Nathan Fowles (54)

1. Darryl Marfo (9)
2. Neil Cochrane (70)
3. Simon Berghan (43)
4. Ben Toolis (83)
5. Grant Gilchrist (114) CAPTAIN
6. Magnus Bradbury (47)
7. John Hardie (28)
8. Bill Mata (32)

Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton (10); 17. Jordan Lay (6); 18. WP Nel (111); 19. Lewis Carmichael (27); 20. Cornell du Preez (99); 21 Sean Kennedy (58); 22. Duncan Weir (29); 23. Phil Burleigh (69)

Don't know what the hell is going on in the scrums but it's costing us just now. Territory will win this game

17 mins on the clock and a one point game. Anyones game

That man Fowles again. Get him off!

Mistakes compounding more mistakes just now

Fowles really is gash

Well still a one score game despite that Connacht try. Plenty of time for Edinburgh, just got to cut out the errors

Weir has made s difference - VDW has been flakey for a while now

The power of the Duncy!!!!!!

Duncan Weir is the man!

Chunky Weir!!!

Crucially Connacht need a try

Tell you what Weir has been a whole lot better than VDW

God knows how Edinburgh keep doing this as we've really not played veell tonight!

Edinburgh are offloading their best halfbacks just now in SHC and Weir!

Hardie has been immense

Huge win Edinburgh!!

Not quite sure how they keep on doing it but Edinburgh win again. They have definitely mastered the art of winning ugly.

On this form, they are play off bound!

Just let Duncy start next week!

Duncan Weir certainly putting himself in the shop window for next season. If he keeps playing like that then surely someone will sign him up.

BigGee wrote:Duncan Weir certainly putting himself in the shop window for next season. If he keeps playing like that then surely someone will sign him up.

On that performance he should be starting next week! VDW has been a bit wayward lately.

I can't believe Edinburgh hasn't made an effort for Duncan Weir.

On the Edinburgh forum someone suggested to cancel Fowles contract and re-sign Weir, now i totally agree with that!

VinceWLB wrote:I can't believe Edinburgh hasn't made an effort for Duncan Weir.

On the Edinburgh forum someone suggested to cancel Fowles contract and re-sign Weir, now i totally agree with that!

It does seem a decision was made very early on to get rid of him. He really wasn't good earlier in the season but neither were we!

I have to say I rate van der Walt - not a night for him tonight but I think he is a big part of Edinburghs revival. Fowles was mince tho. SHC thought he was worth more money that he is and as far as I am aware has no contract for next season. Weir is off to worcester which I think a good move for him

TJ wrote:I have to say I rate van der Walt - not a night for him tonight but I think he is a big part of Edinburghs revival.  Fowles was mince tho.  SHC thought he was worth more money that he is and as far as I am aware has no contract for next season.  Weir is off to worcester which I think a good move for him

It's not actually confirmed that he's off to Worcester - it only got as far as him doing a short term loan this season, which he was then recalled from.

No word on SHC.

Fair flipping play to Edinburgh. Nicked that one nicely. After the opening gift try in the first 20 seconds, I thought Connacht were going to play like the proverbial poked bear.

Might be a bit early, but Cockerill a definite candidate in my book for coach of the season.

I'd put 50 / 50 SHC will still be at Edinburgh next season - I suspect he willnot get a contract at the money he thi9nks he is worth and will come back to cockers cap in hand.

Sounds like i missed an eventful game

Fowles foul again? I honestly think I'd make a better 9 than him

tigertattie wrote:Sounds like i missed an eventful game

Fowles foul again? I honestly think I'd make a better 9 than him

It wasn't a classic but was more of the same from recent weeks - we don't play particularly great but keep in the game and take enough chances to get us overly the line.

Fowles was pish though.

Duncan Weir - a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.

Dross early in the season but has come off the bench more than once recently to win the game for Edinburgh.

yes and a lot of the wee sad Luvvies on here need to take a gulp re Dunky Weir. Very sad !

TJ wrote:I'd put 50 / 50 SHC will still be at Edinburgh next season - I suspect he willnot get a contract at the money he thi9nks he is worth and will come back to cockers cap in hand.

That may depend on whether they have already got someone else lined up, which they may well have. You also get the feeling that Cockers does not really rate him, as he does not seem to play him that much, certainly does not see him as first choice. I am not sure as well that Cockers is one to go back on a decision.

The one they should maybe try to hang onto is Duncy, if he has not signed for Worcester. He is much more a Cockers type of player and even with the Kiwi coming in there could still be room for him. I suspect that he has signed for Worcester though and the announcement has just been delayed. I would not be surprised if SHC ends up there as well, Solly seemed more enamoured of him than Cockers and Toonie have proved to be.

BigGee wrote:

TJ wrote:I'd put 50 / 50 SHC will still be at Edinburgh next season - I suspect he willnot get a contract at the money he thi9nks he is worth and will come back to cockers cap in hand.

That may depend on whether they have already got someone else lined up, which they may well have. You also get the feeling that Cockers does not really rate him, as he does not seem to play him that much, certainly does not see him as first choice. I am not sure as well that Cockers is one to go back on a decision.

The one they should maybe try to hang onto is Duncy, if he has not signed for Worcester. He is much more a Cockers type of player and even with the Kiwi coming in there could still be room for him. I suspect that he has signed for Worcester though and the announcement has just been delayed. I would not be surprised if SHC ends up there as well, Solly seemed more enamoured of him than Cockers and Toonie have proved to be.

To be fair up until the head knock last game SHC was given a good run of games, and had played really well setting up a few tries and kicking brilliantly.

He is very much a show pony though and that kind of character maybe doesn't fit with Cockerill!

Sam Hidalgo Clown "very much a show pony" that's like saying Nigel Farage is partial to a bit of self-publicity.

With meatball I think its all in his head - now he knows he is leaving pressure is off hence the better performances,. I still think the right thing for him to do is go to a club where he is not so much the centre of attention. However given his recent performances I think keeping him at Edinburgh is something I would be happy with

Cockers doesn't mind show ponies he played Youngs in over 200+ games for Tigers , what he does want to players to be all about the club and maybe he didn't get that feeling from Weir and SHC.

Also Players who are playing for a contract have been known to raise their levels only for it to come down again after they have signed. I don't know if thats the case now but Cockers has also seemed to have a nack at finding out the players who will give their all to their club no matter the circumstances.