Worn-out Hardie is rested by Edinburgh

Edinburgh go into their must-win Pro12 clash against Cardiff blues today without Scotland flanker John hardie, who is worn out after two long, back-toback seasons in two different hemispheres. head coach Alan Solomons insisted he had no alternative but to leave the influential back-row forward (below) out of the Murrayfield meeting, admitting the player’s heavy schedule had taken its toll on his recent performances. hardie had played two full seasons of rugby — one in new Zealand and one in Scotland, with a World Cup sandwiched in between — and simply couldn’t give any more to the cause.

‘John came straight from Super rugby to Scotland ahead of the World Cup,’ said the Edinburgh boss. ‘he’s had backto-back seasons, including a World Cup and a Six nations.

‘he isn’t injured and he could play against Cardiff.

‘he’s available, but he’s now struggling with the amount of rugby he has played. Looking at it over the last couple of games, the decision is hamish Watson deserves his spot.’

Watson has sympathy for the man he replaces but wants to use his chance to impress Solomons, as well as Scotland head coach Vern Cotter, who will name his squad early next week for the two-Test summer series in Japan.

‘John has played a lot this season and international games take it out of you, so maybe he’s a bit tired,’ said Watson. ‘hopefully, i can make the most of the chance. getting the nod ahead of him at club level could maybe be taken note of at international level.’