Edinburgh vs Benetton Rugby Pro14 Fri 28/09

by EWT Spoons Wed Sep 26, 2018 1:42 am

Edinburgh vs Benetton Rugby

Friday 28th Sept.

KO: 19.35

Location: BT Murrayfield Stadium

TV: Live on Premier Sports 2, eir sport 1, DAZN

Officials:
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
AR1: Elgan Williams (WRU), AR2: Keith Allen (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Form - Both teams not exactly setting the heather alight

Last result - Benetton 13 - 24 Edinburgh

Last season this is the game that Cockers referred to as a game we should have won and was a turning point. I really hope the team have learnt the lessons and get the win. Edinburgh need to start getting some points on the board, I can't be doing with Jimbo taking the piss anymore about Edinburgh being the worst team in the league.

by **RDW** Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:23 am

Good work Spoons.

I think you saying Cocker's reaction as being "a game we should have won and was a turning point" is the understatement of the century - he as openly admitted he was haunted by that defeat and lost many night's sleep over it! After starting the season with wins over Blues and Dragons the players obviously believed their own hype and were brought down to earth with a bump. I'm sure he has used that game as motivation a lot over the season.

As for this game, we should have all our international players back, but Toolis, Hamilton and Fife are due a rest (technically as international players!). Big decision for me is at tighthead - Berghan was average again against Leinster and has some work to do to keep the starting spot for Scotland. McCallum has actually been our best tighthead this season but I'm sure Townsend will want Nel and Berghan to get back up to speed before the AIs. The Schoe will be banned most likely so that gives an opportunity to Dell (who was also average against Leinster), Marfo/Sutherland.

My team:

1 Dell
2 McInally
3 Nel
4 McKenzie
5 Gilchrist
6 Bradbury
7 Watson
8 Mata

9 Pyrgos
10 Hickey
11 VDM
12 Scott
13 Dean (he did OK against Leinster and runs great lines - I'd like to see him running off Matt Scott's gainline carries)
14 Farndale (want to see more of him)
15 Kinghorn

Subs - Marfo, Ford, McCallum, CHH, Ritchie, Shiel, VDW, JJ

Hopefully we see Shiel off the bench- Kennedy is average and Fowles is just awful.

by EWT Spoons Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:32 am

Aye, I went back on forth on cockers view of the Benetton game last time out.

In terms of the team, I'd be fairly happy with your suggestion, however, how many games has Watson played now? Is he also due a rest? I wouldn't be surprised if he misses out in favour of Ritchie for this game, with Crosbie on the bench to cover.

I'd also replace Marfo with Sutherland on the bench, but that's just a personal preference, wouldn't be unhappy with either being there.

Dell needs a big game though, as you say he struggled against Leinster.

by **RDW** Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:45 am

Watson didn't play against Leinster, and missed the game 2 weeks previous when his baby was born - I think he's only played 2 games this season.

Thinking about it I'd like to see more of Crosbie - he's made a good impact off the bench lately and Ritchie has played a lot so far.

by EWT Spoons Wed Sep 26, 2018 3:01 am

Fair point about Watson, totally forgot about his child being born and him not playing against Leinster. In which case he's near certain to start.

by EST Thu Sep 27, 2018 1:47 am

Despite Edinburgh's poor league position and inability to score tries when on top of teams, i'm actually pretty confident for the next couple of home games. They have looked solid if unspectacular against the Ospreys and Ulster, and could have easily won both games. I doubt many teams in Europe would have beaten that Leinster team.

I would go with the team picked by RDW, but with Sutherland on the bench and JJ starting over Dean, as I think he adds an attacking dimension otherwise lacking. I also can't wait to see that backrow, thats right up there with the best this league can offer.

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 1:57 am

I'd be perfectly happy with JJ and Sutherland starting. I'm just conscious that with Bennett injured, and Socino mainly a 12, JJ is our only option at 13 just now. I think Dean is much better at 12 but can do a job at 13 so I'd like to see him in tandem with Scott.

by funnyExiledScot Thu Sep 27, 2018 5:46 pm

Definitely want to see Nel, McInally and Dell start this game. These guys need time together ahead of the AIs.

Bradbury needs 80 minutes and it's great that Scott can hopefully continue his run of games.

Really must be 5 points.

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:42 pm

Looks like you both (RDW & FES) are going to get your wish.

Dell, rambo & Nel will be our starting FR
Gilco & toolis 2nd row
Bradbury, Watson & mata at BR
Hickey @10 & Kinghorn at 15

Not sure on the rest of the team as that's all I've been told.

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:46 pm

What are your sources Spoons??

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:09 pm

Can't reveal but very very reliable

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:11 pm

Are you and Cockers best pals?

I used to know players in the academies when I was younger but my sources have run dry!

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:16 pm

Who's to say I'm not Cockers.....

I mean apart from pretty much everything i have ever posted would suggest otherwise...but other than that, I could be cockers. I'm not, but I could be....but I'm not.

I have a tenuous connection to one of the squad, who seems to share far more than they probably should.

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:22 pm

Have you been stalking Nel again? warning

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:27 pm

You make it sound like I actually stopped Smile

Nah it's not Nel, and my stalking was just having a conversation with him after a game. In the bar at the stadium, just to be clear. I didn't rock up at his gaff and have a chat with him.

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:02 pm

Teams's up:

Edinburgh rugby wrote:Head Coach Richard Cockerill has named a full-strength side ahead of tomorrow night’s crucial Guinness PRO14 encounter against Benetton at BT Murrayfield (Friday 28 September, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Eight international stars return to the starting XV, with nine changes in total to the team that faced Leinster in Dublin last weekend.

In the backline, Scotland caps Blair Kinghorn, Matt Scott and Henry Pyrgos are all reinstated, while former New Zealand U20 captain Simon Hickey gets the nod at stand-off following a replacement appearance from the bench at the RDS Arena last weekend.

In the pack, captain Stuart McInally returns at hooker alongside experienced tighthead prop, WP Nel. Grant Gilchrist makes his fourth appearance of the season in the second-row, while Hamish Watson and Fijian internationalist, Bill Mata – who missed the last two fixtures due to injury – feature in the back-row.

On facing Benetton, Cockerill, said: “If you have any ambition to be competing, then you obviously want to win your home games. We’ve had three away matches and certainly could have gotten more points out of Ospreys and Ulster, but we didn’t. However, they are clearly tough places to go.

“Benetton were good last year and are much improved. They’ve had a very good start to this year, but we feel like we’re playing pretty well. We’ve got a lot of confidence in the team and we’re driven to win at the weekend.

“If we put together the performances from the last three weeks, we’ll certainly get points out of the next few games. I’ve got every confidence in this group of players.”

Kinghorn is joined in the back-three by wingers Dougie Fife and Duhan van der Merwe - with the latter grabbing a score in Edinburgh’s victory over Connacht at BT Murrayfield a fortnight ago.

Scott is partnered in midfield by Chris Dean, who after returning from injury against Leinster last weekend, makes his second appearance of the season. Summer recruits Pyrgos and Hickey are restored at half-back.

Up front, Allan Dell continues at loosehead and will pack down alongside Scotland teammates McInally and Nel. Gilchrist is joined in the boiler room by Ben Toolis, while Watson, Mata and Magnus Bradbury – a try-scorer in last weekend’s defeat to Leinster – form the back-row.

Edinburgh team to face Benetton Rugby at BT Murrayfield in the Guinness PRO14 tomorrow (Friday 28 September, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.

15. Blair Kinghorn (67)

14. Dougie Fife (111)

13. Chris Dean (67)

12. Matt Scott (77)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (21)

10. Simon Hickey (3)

9. Henry Pyrgos (3)

1. Allan Dell (48)

2. Stuart McInally (123) CAPTAIN

3. WP Nel (118)

4. Ben Toolis (92)

5. Grant Gilchrist (123)

6. Magnus Bradbury (55)

7. Hamish Watson (84)

8. Bill Mata (39)

Replacements: 16. Ross Ford (182); 17. Rory Sutherland (63); 18. Murray McCallum (41); 19. Fraser McKenzie (104); 20. Jamie Ritchie (52); 21. Nathan Fowles (60); 22. Jaco van der Walt (20); 23. Juan Pablo Socino (2).

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:16 pm

I got the starting 15 right, wasn't far off with the bench! Shame to see Fowles in there. Looks like Marfo is 4th choice now.

by **BigGee** Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:19 pm

Pretty much their strongest available team. Edinburgh have really got to win this game.

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:22 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I got the starting 15 right, wasn't far off with the bench! Shame to see Fowles in there. Looks like Marfo is 4th choice now.

Did you not say Farndale? Wink

by EST Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:39 pm

That's a very strong starting 15, hopefully the inclusion of Hickey and Pyrgos will up the creativity. This has to be a win for Edinburgh, even at this stage of the competition.

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:42 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:I got the starting 15 right, wasn't far off with the bench! Shame to see Fowles in there. Looks like Marfo is 4th choice now.

Did you not say Farndale?

Dammit!

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:46 pm

Still 14 out of 15 is pretty good.

Strong team. I really hope they have been working on attacking plays this week in training.

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:49 pm

I'd like to see a bit of forward dominance too - that pack should be putting the nudge on in the scrums and getting some rolling maul tries. You watch the likes of Exeter in the AP they have one of the best strike rates in the opposition 22, and a lot of that comes from rolling mauls. We didn't really get anywhere against Leinster.

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:55 pm

Both would be ideal, my concern is that we're not always going to dominate up front with rolling mauls etc, so having some other moves in the locker would be nice.

that said if we get a TBP win and it all comes from scrums and mauls in Benetton's 22 then I won't complain

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:19 pm

Listening to an interview with Cockers and he seems pretty happy with the 36 phases on Leinsters 22. That's a bit disappointing

by **RDW** Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:26 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:Both would be ideal, my concern is that we're not always going to dominate up front with rolling mauls etc, so having some other moves in the locker would be nice.

that said if we get a TBP win and it all comes from scrums and mauls in Benetton's 22 then I won't complain

Don't get me wrong we absolutely need to get better in attack, my point is that our pack is supposedly got the potential to be one of the best in the league but we haven't seen it yet. Not excuses now from the 8 we are putting out.

by EWT Spoons Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:32 pm

totally agree. Probably the pack many thought would be first choice this season, with the possible exception of Berghan & Nel, just due to injuries and Berg's performance last season.

by **RDW** Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:22 am

Jamie Farndale has been named Co-captain of the 7s squad, probably answering the question about whether he'll be given an extended run with Edinburgh.

by **BigGee** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:28 am

Is on PS2

Changes on Edinburgh bench. VDW and Ford out, Cherry and Graham in.

Socino will cover FH now presumably

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:32 am

It's crazy how many late changes Edinburgh do these days. Graham is a good player to come off the bench if we're chasing a BP.

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:45 am

I see we're still going for the pass and run into them attacking tactic

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:51 am

More of the same here - lots of possession in the 22 but getting nowhere!

by bsando Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:51 am

looking a bit slow at the breakdown so far, Benetton are slowing the ball down well. Feel like if Edinburgh could get it out a bit quicker they wouldn't have to expend so much energy in attack.

by **BigGee** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:51 am

All Edinburgh again. Got to convert into points though

by **BigGee** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:56 am

Good try. Matt Scott playing eell

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:58 am

WE SCORED A FIRST PHASE TRY - THIS IS NOT A DRILL

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:01 am

That was awful wide defence to let him score

by bsando Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:04 am

DVM was having a nice stroll in defence there

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:05 am

We've lost a massive number of turnovers with the ball being ripped in contact this season

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:06 am

Treviso looking dangerous out wide - they're making a lot of ground easily

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:11 am

Not great from Owens - he didn't call advantage over so we were still flinging it about.

Great turnover though.

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:14 am

We're so frustrating sometimes - solid scrums and we make great ground up the left, we then totally slow it down to set uo a box kick!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:15 am

Chris Dean has had a good 1st half.

If we can close out the half and don't give them easy points it will be a decent 1st half in the end.

by **BigGee** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:15 am

Great skill by Chris Dean. Really good try

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:18 am

Hickey has been good too - really attacks the line well and good control over the game

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:21 am

FFS what did I say!!!

by TJ Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:26 am

Ruddy Gilcrist. 3 maul pens in quick succession he gave away there. What on earth is te point of him. Penalty magnet and ineffective. He needs to go!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:32 am

Bit harsh TJ, especially given he only was responsible for one of the penalties - Bradbury and Mcinally the others!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:39 am

Frustrating that whenever a Treviso maul collapsed he went straight to penalty and when ours did it collapsed naturally

by **RDW** Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:45 am

Treviso props need a yellow

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