The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Edinburgh urged to ‘throw everything’ at visiting Scarlets
Richard Cockerill has urged Edinburgh to throw everything they have at Scarlets as they seek to salvage their Heineken Champions Cup rugby bid.
The capital club trail today’s visitors to Murrayfield – who currently occupy the Guinness PRO14 Conference B’s third guaranteed Champions Cup qualification spot – by 11 points with two games in hand.
But Cockerill insists destiny is still very much in the hands of his Edinburgh charges.
“It’s not overstating it to say this is a huge game for both sides in the context of the conference and the teams’ aims to qualify for next season’s European Champions Cup,” he said.
“Scarlets are in the driving seat in the qualification race. However, mathematically speaking, our destiny is still very much in our own hands and we can keep it that way by winning tomorrow.
“It’s a must-win match for us and for them too. They’ll be coming here looking to get revenge for our win in Wales earlier in the season and cement their place in the race for Europe.”
Edinburgh are boosted by four Scotland caps as hooker David Cherry, lock Grant Gilchrist, wing Darcy Graham and standoff Jaco van der Walt return following the postponement of tomorrow’s Six Nations game in France.
Cockerill added: “It’s up to us to throw everything at this match and, with the postponement of the Scotland match, we’re able to bring four players back into the fold to help us plan and prepare to do exactly that.”
● Danny Wilson hopes the unexpected return of his Scotland stars can fire Glasgow to a surprise win over Leinster.
The Six Nations call-off means Warriors are able to recall nine members of Gregor Townsend’s squad to face the Dublin giants.
Forwards Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, Richie Gray and Rob Harley are welcomed back, as are half-backs Adam Hastings and Jamie Dobie, centres Huw Jones and Sam Johnson and prop D’Arcy Rae who is named on the bench.
Wilson was preparing to take on the PRO14 Conference A leaders without his top names but is delighted to now have their services ahead of tomorrow’s RDS clash.
The Scotstoun coach, who will also hand youngsters Cole Forbes and Ollie Smith their first club starts, said: “It’s unfortunate the Scotland game has been postponed, however, we’re pleased to welcome some of our boys back and to be able to give them game time.
“We’ve named an exciting back line blending our experienced internationals with a young promising back three.
“Leinster are the inform side in the competition. Although they will lose several internationals they are an example of strength and depth. It will still be a massive challenge.”
Sir Lewis Hamilton has said “inequities” continue to plague Formula One and that he will demand change for as long as he has air in his lungs.
Hamilton, who will soon be bidding for an unprecedented eighth world championship in what could be his final season in the sport, won last year’s title against the backdrop of his personal fight against racial injustices.
He persuaded his Mercedes team to paint their cars black in a defiant message against racism, and also took the knee before all of last year’s grands prix.
F1 announced earlier this month that a moment of reflection will be included before the start of every race in a display of the sport’s “united support for important issues”.
Posting to his
Instagram account yesterday, Hamilton, 36, wrote: “Last year some of us took a knee in support of equality which I am proud of.
“My question is, what’s next? The inequities within our sport and within the world persist. Change is still needed.
“We must keep pushing to hold ourselves and others accountable. We have to keep striving for equality for all, in order to continue to see true and lasting change in our world.
“As long as I have air in my lungs, I will continue to fight for change in everything I do.”
Hamilton will take the wraps off the Mercedes he hopes will fire him to a recordbreaking eighth title at the team’s 2021 launch on Tuesday.
The new season starts in Bahrain on March 28.