We’ll go with the FLOW
Lawrie says Edinburgh are preparing as usual despite uncertainty facing South African clubs
EDINBURGH assistant coach Steve Lawrie has insisted that the ongoing uncertainty over whether the four South African teams which are supposed to be taking part in the Rainbow Cup will be allowed to travel to the UK for their matches has not distracted his team’s preparation for the tournament, which kicks-off for the capital outfit with a home tie against Zebre at Murrayfield on Friday night.
News coverage coming out of South Africa yesterday afternoon indicated that the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are being forced to withdraw from the Rainbow Cup due to Covid travel restrictions so the tournament will be scrapped, but it seems more likely that an adapted format will allow the remaining 12 teams in the competition to get some game time over the next two months.
“At the moment, we are prepping for the full competition,” said Lawrie. “In these times, we have to be flexible and for us the competition, and our aims for the competition, has not changed. It is about the opportunity it brings for us to play players who require game time and deserve game time after working hard in difficult circumstances all season.
“Obviously, the individual teams that we’re due to play could change slightly. So, while I think the South African teams coming in is exciting, we’ll have to just wait and see what happens. We are preparing as well as we can and ultimately the first three games are set anyway so that’s our focus.”
Lawrie was speaking after it had been announced that Edinburgh had boosted their second-row depth for next season with the signing of 6ft 8in, 19 stone Pierce Phillips from French side Agen on an undisclosed length of contract.
The 28-year-old, who is originally from Middlesbrough, has had spells with Darlington Mowden Park, the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy, Jersey Reds (captaining the side during the 2016-17 season) and Worcester Warriors, before moving to France in 2019.
“We played against him when we drew Agen in the Challenge Cup last year, and he’s a player who has huge physical potential,” said Lawrie. “I know the current Doncaster coach, Steve Boden, and he used to coach Pierce when they were both at Jersey Reds, so I spoke with him at length and he gave a glowing reference for him.
“We are pleased to have him in. We have had some issues in that second-row this season, and with Fraser McKenzie retiring it was important we signed a likefor-like replacement, so we have some competition there. Pierce is someone we are delighted to have, he has a good attitude, is coachable, he is excited about the move and brings the experience from his time with Agen.”
Phillips will compete against Grant Gilchrist, Ben Toolis, Glen Young, Jamie Hodgson, Lewis Carmichael and Marshall Sykes for game time in the Edinburgh engine room next season.
“I’ve been really excited to get on board with the team from the moment I first heard there might be an opportunity at Edinburgh for me,” he said. “I know one or two guys that have been involved at the club and they’ve only ever spoken glowingly about it. I can’t wait to get started and get my teeth into it.
“It’s a team that’s well coached and has a lot of talented players to go alongside that, so I’ve a good feeling it’ll be a great place for me to improve myself and be a part of a group trying to achieve good things.
“I’ve looked at how the team’s progressing and learned about the plan for the club going forward, so the opportunity to be part of that, and potentially add to it, is very exciting.
“Everyone’s always looking for a new challenge and way to progress themselves personally. I’m looking forward to doing that at Edinburgh.”
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill added: “We’re really pleased to sign Pierce. He’s a quality, experienced player with an excellent physical profile for the position, as well as being a really good fit for our squad as someone who’ll be available to us all season long.
“We’ve good strength and depth in the second-row, with several Scotland internationalists and those with credible Scotland ambitions.
“Having the right balance is essential if you’re to have genuine play-off ambitions in domestic and European Cup competitions. Hopefully he’ll help us achieve that in the seasons to come.”
In these times, we have to try and be flexible and for us the competition, and our aims for the competition, hasn’t changed