Strength in depth a winning formula for Watson’s Edinburgh
EDINBURGH flanker Hamish Watson believes his side’s high-profile summer signings like former Scotland and Glasgow Warriors captain Henry Pyrgos can ensure a successful season.
In previous years, there has been a lack of competition in vital positions at the capital club but this year the raft of new faces has changed all that.
They include former Bordeaux ten Simon Hickey, centre Matt Scott who signed from Gloucester, ex-Leicester Tigers flanker Luke Hamilton and scrum-half Pyrgos.
Having Watson back is also a boost for Edinburgh as he missed the last two months of the season — which included their Pro14 quarter-final loss to Munster and their defeat to Cardiff Blues in the last eight of the European Challenge Cup — after shoulder surgery.
‘Strength in depth is going to be huge this year, especially with us back in the Champions Cup,’ said Watson.
‘You can expect the same sort of team as last year in terms of the way we play.
‘Obviously we were nowhere near the finished product last year — but we’ve definitely strengthened the squad with the players we’ve brought in like Henry and that will make a difference.
‘For instance, in the back row we have a lot of depth.
‘Jamie Ritchie got capped in the summer, Luke Hamilton got a few more caps as well, so a lot of us have got a chance of playing for Scotland.
‘It was important that we strengthened all over and made it quite a big back row, because there could be a few of us going away with Scotland.
‘Having players ready to come in for them is vital and will make a big difference.’
Watson revealed that he was feeling as fresh as he ever had since joining Edinburgh following full pre-season training after his shoulder operation.
He was given 40 minutes in the 12-10 loss to Bath in the friendly at Meggetland on Friday evening and will feature again in their away match to Newcastle Falcons, their last warm-up game before the start of this season’s Pro14.
‘It was great to get back out there having not played since the last Six Nations game against Italy,’ added Watson.
‘Having a full pre-season made a difference and I was ready to go against Bath.
‘It was a good test for my shoulder, my first 40 minutes back, and I felt good.
‘There were a lot of tackles to make in that first 20-25 minutes so it was pretty tough, but I came through it.’