The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Deposed captain Gilchrist hopes to still be a leader at Edinburgh
Former captain puts team first as Myreside men target fourth straight win
It’s taken nearly 100 appearances for Edinburgh to do it, but Grant Gilchrist has learned that looking after yourself is the most important step in being a leader.
The 27-year-old is set to reach his century for Edinburgh Rugby tomorrow against the Dragons at Myreside, and prior to the season many thought the big lock from Alloa would be the man leading the side out for their Guinness PRO14 home opener.
But instead Richard Cockerill chose Magnus Bradbury as captain, identifying and stating clearly that leadership had been an issue at the club.
Gilchrist, who was Vern Cotter’s original choice as Scotland captain three years ago before injury intervened and last season’s club captain, could have taken it all personally.
However he’d come to the conclusion by himself that captaincy had derailed him in a disappointing season last year, one which started with him being courted by Toulon and ended with him being left off the Scotland tour.
“I definitely wasn’t at my best,” he said of last year’s campaign, when he was coming off another injury.
“I let things affect me with the way the team was playing. I tried to shoulder a lot of stuff which clouded the way I was playing myself. I learnt a lot last year, about what actually is important to the team is to do your job well. It’s the best thing you can do for the team as a leader, and don’t cloud your head with other stuff.”
However, he still regards himself as a leader on the pitch for the club he feels “passionately” about.
“I don’t relax, I still see myself as having a big leadership role in the team,” he continued. “I’m right behind Magnus and anything he needs, I’m there, along with the other senior players. I just learned a lesson about what it takes for me to play at my best. The things that matter and the things that don’t.”
Similarly, Cockerill’s pointing out in the wake of the excellent 20-10 win at Cardiff that Edinburgh had a history of following a great win with a poor performance might be taken the wrong way, but not by Gilchrist and the senior players.
“Well it’s true, we can’t hide from the fact,” he said.
“Last season we beat Harlequins and then followed it up by losing at home to Zebre. We are the ones who need to fix that.
“I don’t like the sound of it and don’t want to be associated with it, but we are the people who need to put that right.
“We’ve got a great opportunity this weekend. We got the result and performance we were after last weekend. There’s a lot to work on but it’s got to be backed up.”
Even with two wins to finish last season – they will be going for a fourth on the trot tomorrow night – the club was “a pretty dark place”.
“It certainly meant the guys finished with a more positive mindset than it could have been, but it didn’t hide the problems we had and the work we needed to do,” he said.
“We’ve stepped up off the field in terms of the environment, it’s a lot different, I feel we’re a real professional outfit.
“Everything is there for the players to deliver on the training field and on the pitch on a Friday night. A lot of things have been taken away from the players, which puts you in a position to perform. And then the excuses are out the window.
“Richard is expecting us to work hard. We are really clear about what is expected of us, collectively and individually, and we’ve been coming in on Sundays to get a head start.
“That’s been good for us to get that extra day on the training field and make sure we’ve ticked every box heading into the weekend, we’re not guessing and know every scenario.”
But for all the determination and application to make himself and the club better, Gilchrist will allow himself some pride at reaching 100 appearances.
“It’s a few years ago now since my debut but it’s obviously a proud moment for me, I’m passionate about this club and have been for a number of years,” he said.
“Making 100 games for Edinburgh is something I’ll be really proud of. But first and foremost it’s a game we want and need to win so my focus will be purely on that.”