Edinburgh coach on unique approach to 1872 Cup showdown as he looks to Scotland’s ‘X-factor’ duo to shine

Adam Kyriacou
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Edinburgh senior coach Sean Everitt rubbing hands.

Edinburgh senior coach Sean Everitt rubbing hands.

Edinburgh senior coach Sean Everitt has urged his troops not to lose sight of United Rugby Championship table points ahead of their 1872 Cup clash with Glasgow.

The Warriors won the first leg of the inter-city derby 22-10 at Scotstoun last week, which gives them a handy cushion ahead of the second meeting on Saturday.

It is therefore a big ask for Edinburgh to overturn that deficit and Everitt has urged his team to find a way of “suffocating” Glasgow in the Murrayfield fixture.

Main objective

However, the South African did remind his side that United Rugby Championship points are key and wants them to win the match before hunting Cup glory.

“We mustn’t forget we’re in a URC competition and points are vital,” he said when asked about finding a balance between a win and going after the silverware.

“We’ve got to look at getting league points first and that’s by winning. We’ll always have the deficit in the back of our minds but it’s about how you eat into that deficit.

“One of them is when you get an opportunity to put points on the board, you cannot concede soft points. You’ve got to pretty much suffocate the opposition to be able to get that points difference.

“For us, it’s about the URC at this stage so we’re going to go out for the win first and then we’ll have a look at getting into that deficit.”

Two alterations

Edinburgh have made two tweaks to last week’s XV as Luke Crosbie replaces Hamish Watson at flank and centre Mark Bennett comes in for the injured James Lang.

The hosts are also buoyed by the news that Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham have both extended their deals, by one and three years respectively.

“It’s a massive boost for Edinburgh and Scottish rugby,” said Everitt regarding the contracts.

“We’re delighted to have them both sign on. They contribute a lot to the team and we rely on the experience they bring as international rugby players.

“Darcy has been in scintillating form in the last World Cup and we know how dangerous he can be with ball in hand.

“With defences the way they are at the moment, you need these X-factor players and they both certainly bring that to the field at the weekend.”

READ MORE: Five storylines to watch in the URC including the Coastal Derby, surprise package and 1872 Cup

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