GUNNING ON EMPTY
Hamish: We’re all set even if it is behind closed doors
It’s great to have fans to get behind you but we have got a job to do
HAMISH WATSON TALKS OF GUNNERS’ SHOWDOWN
HAMISH WATSON insists Edinburgh don’t need a packed Murrayfield to go to war with Glasgow because the relief of rugby’s return is motivation enough.
The Scotland star can’t wait to get to grips with their biggest rivals on Saturday as the PRO14 comes out of lockdown after a five-month absence.
There’s also the matter of the 1872 Cup being up for grabs and the Gunners flanker is adamant it will only take the flick of a switch to get himself into full game mode despite it being played behind closed doors.
He said: “It feels a bit different but we’re definitely ready.
“As a professional athlete, yes, you get your adrenalin rush from the fans but mostly from that competitive edge. So when you see the opposition team in the tunnel, you need to be switched on.
“You’ve got to be able to mentally prepare yourself, you’ve got to be able to do that yourself whether there’s 6000 or 67,000 there.
“It’s difficult to play with no fans but it’s the same for everyone. That’s the world we’re living in at the moment.
“It’s great to have fans in there to get behind you but we’ve got a job to do and they’ll all be watching from home.
“We have to try to get a few wins and get a home semi-final.
“We’ve all been doing this long enough to know you’ve got to flick that switch whether there’s 5000 fans there, or 7000, or 67,000.
“When you play for Scotland you don’t automatically up your game because there’s 60,000 more people there. It’s the same whether it’s 7000 or none.”
Edinburgh are flying high at the top of Conference B and on the brink of the play-offs with third-placed Glasgow off the pace in Conference A.
But Watson won’t read anything into the Scotstoun side’s struggles this season ahead of a derby double header which will continue next Friday night.
The 28-year-old has been doing his homework on previous games against the Warriors and there’s also a chance to impress with Scotland matches scheduled for later this year.
He said: “Games against
Glasgow are always tough. We’ve watched some of the clips back from the last few years.
“They are always physical encounters. Whether you play for Edinburgh or Glasgow, there’s always a lot on the line for your club or if you’re wanting to put your best foot forward for country stuff.
“It means a lot to the Edinburgh fans and means a lot to the Glasgow fans so they are always feisty encounters.
“We’re pretty excited to resume our season with these two games.”