The fans turned up, but sorry Edinburgh didn’t
Frustrated stand-in skipper, Chris Dean, insists Edinburgh didn’t take their eye off the ball as they failed to complete the Pro14 derby double over Glasgow on Friday night.
The Warriors took full advantage of the capital side’s error-strewn display at Murrayfield to pull off a 15-3 success.
And candid midfielder Dean confessed his men simply didn’t turn up, and rejected the notion that they were concentrating more on next Saturday’s league semifinal against Ulster at the same venue.
The contest was a huge let-down for the 700 Edinburgh fans who formed Scotland’s first stadium crowd since lockdown began almost six months ago.
Dean declared: “Our performance had nothing to do with the Ulster match, or the fact we fielded a much-changed line-up.
“The guys who stepped in are every bit as good as the ones who stepped out.
“These boys wanted to put their hands up for next weekend, so there was a lot of intent.
“Momentum is a huge part of being successful, and we were determined to earn another positive result before the knock-out stages.”
Dean added: “We must use the experience as a kick up the backside and make sure we are totally focussed in the lead up to Ulster, which is a massive game for the club.
“They will be a very powerful outfit, who have regularly done well over here.
“They are very physical and very direct.
“Our old team-mate, Roddy Grant, is one of their coaches and we know what he is all about – collision-focussed and really aggressive.
“But I think the work that we put in defensively – as shown in our stats across the whole season – indicates that we will be in a really good position.
“We just need to hold on to the ball and put them under pressure at the right times.”
Over in the victors’ dressing room, Huw Jones has backed himself to make the Glasgow No.15 slot his own – but laughed off the idea of challenging superstar Stuart Hogg for the Scotland full-back job.
Jones made the switch from centre for the back-to-back derby tussles with Edinburgh and put in two solid if unspectacular displays.
Now he has set his sights on remaining as the Warriors’ last line of defence when the new Pro14 gets under way in five weeks’ time.
Jones said: “I’d be happy to keep going with it and I have said that to coach, Danny Wilson.
“As long as I’m on the field, I’m delighted. And if that means being at 15, I’d be thrilled to be there when the season starts.”
Jones revealed he has also discussed the transition with Scotland supremo Gregor Townsend, saying: “The more I get to play, the better shape I’ll be in.
“Whether he sees me as a 15 or a 13 or someone who can cover both, that’s up to him.
“I think he knows what I can do in the centre.”
On the prospect of mounting a challenge to Hogg, Jones grinned: “Hoggy’s world-class, and I don’t think he has anything to be worried about at the moment!”