Plucky loser? That isn’t me
Cockerill tells Gunners to beat latest label
EDINBURGH v CONNACHT TONIGHT, 7.35, PREMIER SPORTS RICHARD COCKERILL has ordered his Edinburgh side to ditch their “plucky losers” tag.
The Gunners face Connacht at Murrayfield tonight having lost their first two Pro14 games.
Neither defeat on the road was a demolition with Ospreys edging it by four points and Ulster one.
But boss Cockerill said: “These lost points will be important in the end-of-season mix-up, especially the three we left behind in Ulster.
“I am not going to use the phrase ‘must win’ for the Connacht match.
“But I really hate the label plucky losers – I don’t like to be regarded as victims.
“We performed well in Belfast but got what we deserved because we did not control key moments.”
Hamish Watson will be one of three new starters after returning following the birth of his first child.
The breakaway forward is joined by winger Duhan van der Merwe and centre James Johnstone.
Cockerill said: “It would be great to get a big and passionate crowd.
“We then have to match that passion with a strong performance. I know we’ve had two losses from two games but we’re in a good place – there’s great spirit in the camp.
“Connacht have had a pretty good start. They only just lost to Glasgow but could have won that at the death.
“And then they had a pretty big win against Zebre.”