Everitt hails strength in depth as Boffelli returns for trip to ‘emotional’ Cardiff
Edinburgh head coach delighted with wealth of options
EDINBURGH head coach Sean Everitt is delighted to have Emiliano Boffelli back as the Argentina internationalist makes his return from injury against Cardiff. Boffelli hasn’t played since the beginning of March and was forced to withdraw from the URC clash with Sharks after suffering back spasms.
He underwent a procedure at the time but the 29-year-old is now fit and will start on the right wing, with Wes Goosen keeping the No.15 jersey after a player-of-the-match performance against Scarlets last weekend.
Everitt said: “It’s a compliment to Wes Goosen who has done really well in the No.15 jersey that we’re able to pick an international-quality back three. He [Boffelli] brings a lot of experience and leadership, and when he plays the back field is covered really well.”
At the start of the season, Edinburgh’s back three compared favourably to most others in the league and indeed Europe with Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn all available in addition to Goosen, Boffelli and Harry Paterson.
Injuries to them all, and Kinghorn’s mid-season departure to Toulouse, have caused headaches for Everitt, but the South African admits that is part and parcel of professional sport.
“You’ve got to deal with these disruptions,” he said. “Harry Paterson maybe wouldn’t have got the opportunity that he deserves had those three been fit all the way through, and he went on to make his Scotland debut against France and came through really well.
“It’s actually worked out quite well for us, having depth in those positions. I know people were talking about headaches at the beginning of the season but it seems to have sorted itself out.”
Boffelli is one of world rugby’s premier goalkickers, but with Ben Healy in excellent form from the tee, it’s the Scotland fly-half who will assume that responsibility at Cardiff Arms Park.
“With the injury Boff has had, he hasn’t kicked much and Ben Healy is the top points scorers in the competition. He kicked well last week, so there’s no need to change something that works.
“It’s fortunate for us that Ben is kicking well and we don’t have to put more pressure on Boff on his return.”
Everitt’s other changes see Scotland pair Hamish Watson and Sam Skinner return after being rested last weekend, while the allinternational front row of Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and WP Nel earn starts after impressing off the bench against Scarlets.
Everitt knows that like the back three, the front row is an area of strength for his side.
He added: “We’re blessed with the depth that we have in the front row: Boan is an international quality frontrow, and the other five have all played for Scotland, so I think they complement each other and all have done really well for the team.”
Everitt is also aware it will be an emotional afternoon for the home support as Wales duo Rhys Carre and Ellis Jenkins make their final appearances at Cardiff Arms Park.
Prop Carre has signed for Saracens, while Jenkins announced this week he will retire at the end of the season.
“They’ve got some of their senior players who are leaving Cardiff at the
It’s a compliment to Wes Goosen who has done really well in the No.15 jersey that we’re able to pick an international-quality back three
end of the season, and it will be their last game at the Arms Park, so I expect that will feed the emotion.
“They are not deserving of their log position. They have accumulated nine losing bonus-points and have been on the wrong side of what could have been wins.
“We are under no false illusions about the challenge we have ahead of us. We’re going to have to be at our best, but we are going to have to be at our best for the rest of the competition, so nothing really changes for us.”