Berghan right for Scotland but must cut out his lapses

Stuart Mcinally, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist, Hamish Watson, Cornell du Preez and one of either Murray Mccallum or Berghan are the Edinburgh forwards set to be involved for Scotland against France.

As a result Cockerill has admitted that his forward options are stretched ahead of the key Guinness Pro14 clash with Leinster this Friday night.

The capital side go into the Myreside meeting fourth in Pool B and on the back of 11 wins in 14 matches in all competitions since they last played.

However, they know that the next two outings against Pool B second-placed side Leinster and third-placed Ulster will both be tough tests and will play a big part in how the season progresses.

“Friday will be a test for us mentally,” Cockerill said.

“We’re missing a few senior guys with the Scotland Test team, but we’ve played pretty well across the squad this year and if we can survive from a set piece points of view then we can compete. However, of late our scrum has been under a bit of pressure with guys missing across the board. “Callum Hunter-hill hurt his knee playing for Newcastle [on loan], so he’s not going to be available. As a result we’re a lock short and Viliame Mata or Magnus Bradbury [if not with Scotland] will step into those boots.

“It’s going to be a tough few weeks, there’s a long way to go yet – a lot to play for.”

With Mata or Bradbury taking up emergency second-row duties it looks likely to bring a return to pro rugby for John Hardie.

The New Zealand-born back-row, who has 16 national team caps, recently returned from a ban for “gross misconduct”.

His playing return for draft club Hawick lasted just 13 minutes before injury at the end of January, but he is fit and available for selection.

Cockerill said: “John is with us. He basically smashed his lip up, but he’s good to go and hopefully he’ll be involved on Friday.

“He’s an experienced player and he’s very tough and physical, so if John is available and fit – which he is – it would be sensible to get him back playing.” Glasgow Warriors winger Leonardo Sarto is out for the rest of the season due to injury, the club have announced.

The 26-year-old Italy international has undergone surgery on a shoulder injury suffered during the Warriors’ 28-21 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the European Champions Cup in January.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Italian international winger Leonardo Sarto has successfully undergone surgery on a shoulder injury. (He) will miss the remainder of the season.”

Sarto joined Glasgow from Zebre in 2016 and has scored nine tries in 18 games.

Elsewhere, former Scotland flanker Carl Hogg will leave Worcester at the end of this season, it has been revealed.

The Aviva Premiership club announced yesterday that Hogg, the 48-year-old former Melrose forward who joined the Warriors in 2013, will depart Sixways when his contract expires.

“I am looking forward to focusing on the next stage of my rugby journey,” Hogg said in a statement.

“Worcester have experienced some turbulent times since I arrived five seasons ago, but I feel proud to have navigated the club through this difficult and volatile period.

“With the appointment of [former Edibnburgh coach] Alan Solomons as director of rugby, now is the right time to take up my next challenge in coaching. I have experienced a huge amount over the last five season at Warriors, and wish the club every success in the future.”

Former Yorkshire Carnegie player Hogg took over as head coach at Worcester in 2016 after the departure of Dean Ryan.