Scottish Rugby

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Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe returns from a hip injury for Edinburgh's home game against Gloucester in the Champions Cup on Friday.

James Whitcombe makes his second start of the season at loosehead prop, while back-row Liam McConnell is reinstated after coming off the bench in the weekend URC win at Treviso.

Wes Goosen reverts to full-back to accommodate Van der Merwe, with Darcy Graham lining up on the opposite flank.

Callum Hunter-Hill continues in the second row in the absence of the injured Grant Gilchrist.

Scotland internationals Ewan Ashman and Ben Muncaster bolster the bench after a complete HIA protocol and a knee injury respectively.

Academy lock Euan McVie is also among the replacements, hoping to make his professional debut.

Edinburgh opened with a win over Toulon before a big defeat away to Castres, while they complete their group stage matches with a visit to Bath.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Lang,Van der Merwe, Thompson, Vellacott; Whitcombe, Morris, Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Young, McConnell, Douglas, Bradbury (capt).

Replacements: Ashman, Schoeman, Hill, McVie, Dodd, Muncaster, Shiel, O'Conor.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Gregor Brown says he has embraced his recent role as impact substitute for Glasgow Warriors.

The back-row was a standout for Scotland in the autumn internationals but has had to make do with a bench spot in recent weeks for his club.

Rather than view that as a negative, Brown is relishing the opportunity to influence matches in the latter stages, such as his outstanding second-half performance in the famous win over Toulouse last month.

"I think you see the way that the game in world rugby is going at Test level and at club level, South Africa probably hit headlines for it with their bomb squad, their ability to roll off six, seven world-class forwards off the bench to see out a game," Brown said.

"That's coming to the game more. Traditionally it was probably best players starting, then a second team coming on.

"I do genuinely think that the game is shifting. Those last 20-30 minutes are really important.

"It's something that I take pride in. It would be easy for someone to be upset they're not starting and kick your heels, but I've definitely felt as much a part of the wins in the past few weeks as I was starting and I think you have such an important role to play coming off the bench."

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Keith asked: With the rumoured exit of Adam Hastings to Montpellier, following similar departures by Finn Russell and Tom Jordan, do Glasgow fans have to accept we simply can't afford to keep our fly-halves in Scotland for their prime years? Or is it part of the David Nucifora plan to open up a regular playing spot for the next generation in this critical position?

Andy answered: Firstly, it will be a real shame to see Hastings depart Glasgow. It's my understanding he will be leaving Scotstoun this summer and it's an undoubted blow as he was just starting to get back to his best after so many injury-blighted seasons.

I think it is driven in part by both the reasons you outline. Hastings will be on a chunky salary and, as we saw with the departures last summer including Jordan, there is only so much money to go around. Glasgow can't retain all their top earners year on year.

The need to promote young talent also necessitates established players to move on. Warriors under Franco Smith are among the best in the business at developing young players and while it's frustrating to see household names depart, the production line at Scotstoun looks pretty healthy right now.

Ethan asked: What should we expect the Glasgow team to play Clermont to look like? A younger team like last weekend against Zebre, or were the 'big guns' rested to go back to back against Clermont and Saracens?

Andy answered: Definitely the latter. Warriors assistant Nigel Carolan told us as much this week, saying the victory over Toulouse has changed their perspective on the Champions Cup this season and what they might be able to achieve.

Victories over Clermont and Saracens would give Glasgow a fantastic opportunity to top their pool and with that would come a route to a potential semi-final with all their matches at home.

So expect the 'big guns' to return this weekend and the possible return from injury of Huw Jones and Kyle Rowe, who are very close to being match ready.

Tom English and Andy Burke chat to Duncan Weir after his final match for Glasgow Warriors as the former Scotland international reflects on his career and looks ahead to the next chapter of his life in rugby.

It's all on the latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast - listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Edinburgh always seem to confound expectations when they are staring into the abyss.

A first victory in Treviso since 2017 and a first away win of the season couldn't have come at a better moment.

There are two things we need to thank for this victory. The first is the work of our defence coach Michael Todd. We may not be the best attacking side but boy do we know how to hold a line.

Secondly, we need to thank Glasgow for testing that defence to and beyond its capabilities in the past two weeks because it feels like the stresses they put us under have ironically helped to hone that area of our play down to a fine edge.

A defence that had to be at its best, particularly in that second half when Benetton had a dominant 72% possession. Fourteen points is the smallest total Benetton have scored at home all season.

That defence was even key to Darcy Graham's second-half try as they forced an error out of Benetton who had all 15 players in the Edinburgh 22.

We are now 10th, which is an improvement, and only the top two in the league have conceded fewer tries than Edinburgh.

Attack wise there were a few encouraging moments, especially from Wes Goosen and Matt Currie. The latter is looking more like the player he was before his injury.

Too many handling errors, however, combined with a high penalty count compromised our attack.

Freddy Douglas, fast becoming the turnover king, was a deserved man of the match but Harri Morris was also outstanding. He topped the tackle stats and perhaps only three incomplete lineouts compromised his bid even if the loss of Grant Gilchrist prior to kick-off may have contributed to that.

Morris' turnover in the 77th minute could easily be described as a match-winning moment but of course being Edinburgh we still gave the ball away at the following ruck as Charlie Shiel box kicked.

If that wasn't enough tension Cammy Scott hit the posts with the clock in the red, keeping the game alive and allowing Benetton a last opportunity when all we needed was the ball to go dead.

Thankfully a knock-on with the clock showing 83 minutes meant Edinburgh got to travel home with a smile and that rare away win.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Do you have any burning questions on Scottish rugby after Glasgow and Edinburgh started 2026 with wins in the URC?

Send in your questions to our reporters via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

It was an Italian double for Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship and we asked for your views after their victories.

Glasgow lie second behind Stormers, who have won all eight of their games, after their 47-10 defeat of Zebre in what was fly-half Duncan Weir's final game.

Here are some of your comments.

Ethan: Glasgow match was a hard watch at times as it took a while for them to get into it in the first half. In the second half, the first 20 or so minutes they seemed to have switched off whilst Zebre played more intensely. Though, in the end, what mattered was Glasgow managed to pull ahead with the flurry of tries. Great result for a younger team and a fantastic send off for Weir, even if he feels a bit sore today after dislocating his finger and hurting his hamstring!

Peter: Nothing much more to say than thank you Dunky [Weir]! A stalwart for Glasgow and the smiles you brought to everyone's faces in Scotstoun, including a beaming [coach] Franco [Smith], on Saturday night when you scored that try. Shows the high regard you are held. All the best with the academy - I think you'll be a fantastic coach.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, bounced back from their festive double defeat with a victory of their own - but only just, 15-14 away to Benetton. Sean Everitt's side are now 10th.

Frank: Brilliant return to form for Edinburgh and Darcy Graham. Graham's player-of-the-match performance can surely inspire Edinburgh to a top four URC spot and European Cup play-offs. Great to feel positive about Scottish rugby for a change.

Stair: Once again, Edinburgh almost clawed defeat from the jaws of victory. Still, an away win is a win. Poor second-half performance plagued with unnecessary penalties. Typical Edinburgh under this coach.

John: With the team Edinburgh were able to put out, a good away win. Ross Thompson not the answer at 10 - poor game. I don't think any of the 10s have set the heather on fire when played. I think the 10-12-13 challenge is the problem. Not strong enough, regardless who plays. And therefore, where you would like to think the strength is, ie Darcy [Graham], [Wes] Goosen and Duhan [van der Merwe] at present are not getting enough ball, as well as a coach in my eyes who is too soft and not getting best out of players or good selection process. Shame, as there are good players there.

Greig: As an Edinburgh fan, I'm fully aware of our injury list and various excuses from the head coach. But our [the fans'] fears of having a threadbare squad are coming to fruition. Just look at the quality of our bench in the win over Benetton. Nowhere near good enough. We should beat Gloucester this coming week, but it could easily swing towards the English side. For years, my season-ticket pals and me have said we need an enforcer in the second row, a beast in the back row and a wrecking ball centre. No sign of that happening, but we can still dream.

And what about a comparison between Scotland's two URC sides?

Andrew: When I watched the Glasgow game, with a very much second-string team, I saw some slick interpassing, including the forwards. Plus, they worked a couple of training ground moves. Edinburgh again defended valiantly, but their passing movement was rarely slick or inventive. What are Glasgow doing at training that Edinburgh evidently aren't?

Edinburgh started 2026 with a narrow 15-14 win away to Benetton.

Read the match report

Glasgow Warriors completed a Scottish double over Italian sides by defeating visitors Zebre 47-10.

Read the match report

Have your say on Saturday's games

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Ross Thompson makes his first Edinburgh start since November for their URC trip to Benetton on Saturday.

The fly-half is one of five changes made by head coach Sean Everitt to the side beaten by Glasgow Warriors last time out.

"It was a disappointing period for us over Christmas, but we're ready to fight back against a strong Benetton side on the road," Everitt told the Edinburgh website.

"The URC is still wide open, so any points we can pick up from now to the end of the season will keep us in the mix for the play-offs."

Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Tom Dodd and Freddy Douglas start in a rotated forward pack, while Jack Brown joins Thompson in the backs.

Edinburgh XV to face Benetton: Brown, Graham, Currie, Lang, Goosen, Thompson, Vellacott; Schoeman, Morris, O. Blyth-Lafferty, Young, Gilchrist, Dodd, Douglas, Bradbury.

Replacements: J. Blyth-Lafferty, Whitcombe, Hill, Hunter-Hill, McConnell, Shiel, Scott, O'Conor.

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Duncan Weir will make his final appearance for Glasgow Warriors from the bench when they host lowly Zebre on Saturday.

Former Scotland fly-half Weir, 34, won the Pro12 title with Warriors in 2012 and has made more than 150 appearances for the club across two spells.

The stalwart is to "step back" from playing to take an academy coaching role at the club.

"Duncan embodies what it means to be a Glasgow Warrior," head coach Franco Smith told the Warriors website.

Weir is joined among the replacements by academy prospect Jack Oliver, who is named in the 23-man squad for the first time.

In the starting XV, Euan Ferrie returns from injury, and Duncan Munn makes his first appearance of the season in a heavily rotated side.

Glasgow Warriors XV to face Zebre: Smith, Munn, McDowall, Yule, Dobie, Hastings, Afashar; Schickerling, Stephen, Richardson, Oguntibeju, Williamson, Ferrie, Darge, Duncan.

Replacements: Hiddleston, Sutherland, Talakai, Craig, Miller, Oliver, Weir, Lancaster.

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Glasgow Warriors stalwart Duncan Weir is to "step back" from playing to take an academy coaching role at the club.

Nick Ryan, who joins after five years as director of rugby at Sydney University, has been appointed Glasgow's academy manager.

Former Scotland fly-half Weir, 34, won the Pro12 title with Warriors in 2012 and has made more than 150 appearances for the club across two spells.

Weir and Ryan are joined by Shade Munro, who continues in his academy role having previously been head coach of Scotland women and Glasgow assistant.

Weir is "really excited" for his new role, telling the Warriors website: "I'm really looking forward to working with Nick, who's bringing so much experience over from Australia, and with Shade, who I've obviously known for a long time.

"Having such a solid foundation is going to serve me well in the new role, and is going to serve Glasgow Warriors well long term."

Ryan, whose experience includes a three-year stint as pathways manager at Melbourne Rebels, said: "Joining Glasgow Warriors is incredibly exciting for me and it's a huge honour to be part of the club.

"The Warriors are well renowned across the world given what they have achieved recently and a lot of that success has been born out of young players who have come through their academy system.

"It is testament to the work that has gone on at Scotstoun and I am looking forward to adding to that, and continue to drive it forward."

Tom English and Andy Burke wrap up a year of Scottish rugby, sharing their picks of the highlights and lowlights of 2025, focusing on the key players, memorable moments and the controversies that shaped the game.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

The twinned towns of Dull in the highlands and Boring in Oregon have a third sibling today, blunt Edinburgh.

The second successive defeat by Glasgow Warriors was tedious and, unsurprisingly, the atmosphere in the ground was as flat as a pancake that's been sat on by a tighthead prop.

The fact that the attendance didn't top last year's number is in part down to potential attendees being sceptical of the ability of Edinburgh to actually make a game of it, let alone put on a spectacle worthy of the time, effort and cost involved to be there.

More importantly, it could be the final debacle in the Sean Everitt era.

For context, in the past seasons that Mike Blair, Richard Cockerill and Alan Solomons were in charge not one of them had reached this point of the season with so few points on the board.

In fact, not once in our professional history have we reached week eight of the league season and won fewer games than we have this year, albeit with one game postponed.

On the back of this defeat the approach to the game v Castres, also a loss, seems even more ridiculous.

It has to be acknowledged that injuries have played their part but the back line selected for this game is arguably our best option, even without or increasingly because of Duhan Van der Merwe's absence, and yet not one shot was fired.

That is now two games in a three-week period where we have failed to score a try. You have to go back to 2016 to find a season with more tryless games.

The changing of the coach may not be a panacea. But who dictates and implements the culture at a club? Who is responsible for the style of play? Who chooses the players and the supporting coaching staff? We can't change the squad en masse so that leaves one option whether it fits the narrative or not.

Edinburgh need a coach with drive and a sense of purpose because we are rudderless and only our lack of direction is preventing us from running aground entirely.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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A derby double-header to forget

The festive derbies between Glasgow and Edinburgh should be one of the highlights of the rugby calendar, but this latest 1872 Cup double-header was sorely lacking in the entertainment stakes.

It's hard to recall a game with so many stoppages. Every 30 seconds there seemed to be a knock-on, a penalty or a player down requiring treatment. The whole thing was utterly devoid of any kind of flow.

It was a grim spectacle for the crowd of over 38,000 that were in attendance at Murrayfield.

Throw in the 21,000 or so that were at the first leg at Hampden - another damp squib of an occasion - and you have a big missed opportunity to hook in floating rugby fans.

Dynamic Dobie rises above the dirge

A rare bright spot in an otherwise forgettable derby was the performance of Jamie Dobie. The 24-year-old scored two tries, the second of which was pure class.

Dobie is pushing hard to be chief back-up scrum-half to Ben White for Scotland in the Six Nations.

There is also a compelling argument to be made that, with Duhan van der Merwe hopelessly out of form and Darcy Graham not quite at it, he is one of the two form wingers in Scotland alongside Warriors team-mate Kyle Steyn.

Dobie's major asset, namely his ability to cover multiple positions, may count against him in terms of a starting place as he is such an effective bench option, but he is playing his way towards first-choice status for the national team in some capacity.

Edinburgh's failing attack

Once again Edinburgh failed to offer much as an attacking force and it's a recurring problem that is threatening to undermine their entire season.

Head coach Sean Everitt bemoaned the lack of set-piece foundation from which to launch attacks, but Edinburgh looked ill-equipped to fashion anything from what little ball they managed to generate.

The kicking game was aimless, the handling poor, the carrying lacking in impact and the creativity non-existent.

Edinburgh need a new gameplan, new personnel, or maybe both, because what they are doing is clearly not working.

We asked for your views after Glasgow Warriors defeated Edinburgh again - this time 21-3 at Murrayfield - to retain the 1872 Cup.

Here are some of your comments.

Al: Edinburgh really need to change something, it's just not working as it is.

Gordon: Awful game, awful display from Edinburgh. Fed up hearing from them how they are going to do this or that and then nothing. Needs a root and branch review and I'd start with the CEO Douglas Struth, he seems to be quite happy providing the cash keeps coming in. There are a number of season-ticket holders, of which I'm one, who are considering whether or not to renew. This can't go on!

Frank: Glasgow stuck in second gear while Edinburgh are in reverse on the Royal Mile. If this is the best Scottish rugby can dish, I'll be avoiding the Six Nations. Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson and Scott Cummings get pass marks. Only Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas could be considered decent from the losers. So much for Darcy Graham needing the Murrayfield atmosphere to perform. He'd be lucky to be considered fifth choice after that outing.

Rob: Edinburgh were awful in attack. They can hardly string any phases together. Their backs are clueless and lacking in confidence. That is down to poor coaching.

Stu: Turgid stuff for the most part with Glasgow showing far more than Edinburgh. Surely enough is enough for Sean Everitt, the tactics are woeful in attack and seem to rely on miracle plays from aimless kicks.

Stuart: Across both matches it must be said Edinburgh's attack is toothless. Yes Glasgow are very difficult to get at, their defence is suffocating, but not once did Edinburgh make any headway through the midfield channel. Stafford McDowall read and swallowed everything. If it comes to an arm wrestle, Glasgow just have more nous and ultimately more power.

Shaun: Two really poor derby games that don't tell us too much other than how poor Edinburgh are. This will give Gregor Townsend more sleepless nights. Based on those two performances, Pierre Schoeman aside there's not an Edinburgh player that should make the Scotland squad. Maybe Dylan Richardson as injury cover. Glasgow weren't even remotely good, yet still won the aggregate by over 30 points

Doug: Some of the sternest defence we've come up against, but patience and some clinical finishing by the excellent Dobie got us over the line. The bench was very strong too, Brown and Zander coming on can't be nice to see as tiring defenders! You have to wonder if a change of coach would make that much difference or if the problems at Edinburgh run much deeper.

Tom: If this meeting of the two Scottish teams in the URC is anything to go by, then lower your expectations for the forthcoming Six Nations. Both teams clueless in attack - plenty of grunt but no guile or finesse, and the insane box-kicks gifting back possession to the opposition defies explanation, other than a paucity of ideas. Dobie a shining light in an otherwise dismal advert for Scottish rugby.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jamie Dobie says Glasgow Warriors winning both legs against Edinburgh made this season's 1872 Cup victory even sweeter.

Warriors triumphed 21-3 at Murrayfield, with Dobie scoring two tries, to back up their first-leg victory at Hampden.

"Delighted to win the cup and it's a bit sweeter this year after the last couple of years, obviously losing the fixture at Murrayfield but still winning the cup," the scrum-half told BBC Scotland.

"So to win both this week and last week that makes it a bit sweeter, so obviously delighted for everyone.

"Everybody knows each other individually and as a team so well. It was pretty attritional again.

"Our forwards had to go through a lot of work, so fair play to them, but it opened up a bit at the end there, we managed to get away slightly, so delighted to pick up four massive league points.

"It's a really good way to round off the year. It's obviously a long season and there's a lot of games, but to finish off with two derby wins is massive."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Matt Currie says Edinburgh must use the hurt of back-to-back derby defeats by Glasgow Warriors to kickstart their season.

The capital side were once again a blunt force in attack as Warriors prevailed 21-3 at Murrayfield to secure the 1872 Cup for a fourth successive season.

"It's tough. It just hurts, doesn't it?" the centre told BBC Scotland.

"We're disappointed, but we're disappointed in how we performed. We know that the game that we played there isn't what we want to put on the pitch.

"There was obviously moments of good play that we can be happy with, but there was a lot that we're going to have to improve on. Hopefully, we can do that next week, going into our next game.

"To be fair to Glasgow, they defended well. They put us under pressure. And when you're on the back foot, it's tough to get everyone involved in the game.

"It's something we're going to work on throughout the next few weeks. We have been working on it as well and I'm sure it'll come.

"I'm hoping this will be the spark, two defeats to Glasgow. I'm hoping that kick-starts us into something this season and we can get a few wins."

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports: "The boys have had enough time to get away with families. Good to get the result.

"Disappointed [with the way the game finished]. It would have been good to get a bonus point.

"This is a derby. The opposition are always going to come out with their heart on their sleeve. They defended well, but it's about trust. We worked hard.

"I always like another scrum-half on the wing. Two ball players on the edges and up the tempo a bit.

"Jamie [Dobie] is a good rugby player and good players find a spot. Hopefully he can continue to progress because I think he can play for Scotland in that role as well."