With just over a quarter of the URC season gone and the international window (inside and out) for the Autumn internationals now upon us it seems like an opportune moment to take a look at how it's going for Edinburgh Rugby.
I think we have to say that in the round that it's been a good spell for the club. We are 4th in the overall table and thanks to some surprising results last weekend only a couple of points off second place. We are also top of the Italian/Scots conference for what that's worth.
It hasn’t been plain sailing but when you consider that this is with a side that is
Adapting to a hugely different style that we had under Cockers
Under new management
Playing in a new environment
At least 75% different personnel wise in the first game in the URC compared to the last game in the Rainbow Cup and around 35% different from the 1st game in URC to the last game against Zebre. In summary, lots of changes.
In addition to this we have also had 4 different centre pairings in 5 games.
So to achieve 4th place given all this upheaval and personnel changes is definitely to be applauded. I expect most Edinburgh fans would have bitten your hand off for this return.
Perhaps that is the problem though. A modicum of success is enough to placate us. It could have been better. Some sensible rugby at the end of both the Stormers and Benetton games would have seen us win those and the likely additional 5 points that we would have got would have made us clear in second. Rather than be merely satisfied we’d be cock a hoop.
So, where are the errors that are costing this new look Edinburgh a couple of places in the table?
In the penalty count for sure. The teams in second and third have conceded less penalties across the 5 games than we have.
Edinburgh 67
Munster 51
Ulster 59
They have also put up bigger percentages across the key statistics of lineouts, rucks and tackle success
Edinburgh 89%
Munster 90%
Ulster 92%
It’s not a big difference but when you consider that the margins in the games we didn't win perhaps those differences are reflected in what seem like two missed opportunities.
So, Edinburgh are definitely not the finished article but are definitely a better side to watch than we were last year and despite the handling errors, errors of judgement and poor game management at times I think we should be quietly optimistic for the rest of the season.
The penalty count trend is definitely down the way and the try count is way up from last season. In 2020-21 it took us to halfway through the 8th league match of the season before we had 15 tries and to January 23rd before we had 18 points.
There have been some standout performers in this part of the season.
Ben Vellacott has been a revelation. He is a clever player who gives Edinburgh zip and keeps defences honest in that they always have to guard against his sniping runs. I was a doubter before he arrived as he hadn't played much at all last season. It seemed like a bit of a gamble but if it was a gamble it has paid off in spades (and tries).
We all lamented the loss of big Duhan, who despite his now much fuller pockets must be wondering why he has gone to Worcester. They have managed to ship 232 points in 6 games and not unsurprisingly won only one game so far. We also thought that the loss of Eroni Sau was a strange one and that he would also be missed. As it turns out we probably haven’t missed them. A combination of a fit again Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland and Jack Blain have all made significant contributions and if it wasn’t for the form of Vellacott, Graham would definitely have been Edinburgh’s star performer so far.
And If the form of Graham et all isn’t enough compensation for Duhans departure then console yourself with this. We wouldn't have seen him in an Edinburgh jersey until December probably.
Mark Bennett also looks like a man on a mission and I was sad to see that injury has cost him a chance in the autumn internationals as his form had definitely put him in line for a return to Scotland colours.
Up front our prop options have done us proud. Pierre Schoeman looks like a man who is now fully concentrating on his game and WP Nel as a bench option is just a luxury that many can only dream of. de Bruin and Venter are solid and are getting better with every game.
In the back row, Big Bill Mata has also made a welcome return to fitness and form which is just as well as Magnus Bradbury is making a serious bid for that no. 8 berth right now.
Henry Immelman has had a mixed start to his Edinburgh career. Some late missed kicks and some careless offloads have taken a little of the shine off the stronger parts of his game so far. Saturday v Zebre has probably been his best game yet so hopefully he will continue in that vein.
We now have some international rugby featuring a fair few Embra men and I'll try to keep an eye on our guys and give a report on what game time they get and how they performed at the end of the series.
After that it's back to league business with an away trip to Dragons before the next home game against Benetton which will give us a chance to avenge that last second defeat in the earlier away fixture.
A minor fixture against high flying Saracens in the Challenge Cup then follows before the festive double header against old foes and neighbours Glasgow.
In the corresponding period League leaders Leinster play Ulster, Connacht, Munster and then Ulster again so who knows where a few wins of our own might take us to by January 3rd?
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