Gilchrist gunning for a repeat feat in capital
AFTER playing his part in Scotland’s third-place finish in the Six Nations, second-row Grant Gilchrist is keen to do just as well with Edinburgh in the Pro14 and Europe — and he sees positive signs since his return to club action.
Gilchrist’s last league game before Friday’s 29-22 win over Connacht at the Sportsground was in the opening week of January when Edinburgh claimed the first of six consecutive Pro14 wins — over Southern Kings.
In his absence, Fraser McKenzie and Lewis Carmichael shouldered much of the game time, but at the weekend Gilchrist was back alongside his international colleague Ben Toolis.
Richard Cockerill’s side hold a 13-point advantage in third spot in Conference B — with fourth-placed Ulster falling to a 35-17 defeat at Cardiff Blues yesterday — and will fancy their chances of clinching a quarter-final place.
According to Gilchrist — part of a happy and confident Edinburgh squad — they are excited by the challenges that await.
‘We know how tough it is to come over here — we have got a lot of respect for Connacht,’ said 27-year-old Gilchrist.
‘The conditions as well made it not the prettiest game on the eye. We are not too happy with one or two aspects of our game but we toughed it out.
‘We are making a habit of it, which is pleasing. That’s why the boys are smiling inside.
‘We are staying in games. We are fighting until the last minute and we are seeming to get the break of the ball with charge
downs — and things are going our way.
‘We are not overly happy with how we played but we are delighted with the character.
‘I have played here a lot and not won many games. It’s a tough place to come. To leave with four points is really pleasing.’
Edinburgh had Duncan Weir’s late heroics to thank for the win in Galway as the replacement out-half came on with 20 minutes to go, kicked three penalties and also scored the winning block-down try for his team.
When he was introduced, the visitors were 22-16 behind as Connacht worked their way back after Dougie Fife’s first-minute try and a second from Duhan van der Merwe 17 minutes from the interval. However, Edinburgh’s quest for a maiden Celtic League title will be put to one side as they ready themselves for a Challenge Cup quarter-final with Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield next Saturday. So far, this has been a year to remember for Edinburgh supporters, with huge victories against Leinster, Ulster and Munster the real standouts in their impressive run of form.
The away win in Belfast really ignited Edinburgh’s Pro14 challenge against their conference rivals.
Though they have tasted defeat in one of their eight matches: their final pool game in Europe away to Stade Francais.
Gilchrist was on the bench that day after Edinburgh had already secured a knockout berth and he is keen to get stuck into league rivals Cardiff in a different competition.
‘We are now six in a row, so the boys’ confidence is really high,’ said Gilchrist. ‘But we still feel like we have a lot of growth in the team. We have a lot of things we can get better at. ‘It’s a massive quarter-final next week. We are really excited to go into that, knockout rugby in a European Challenge Cup and a big home crowd at Murrayfield.’