Hoyland is a casualty as ruthless Cockerill swings axe
NOBODY is picked on reputation. Given his forthright nature, Richard Cockerill’s players. selection mantra really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone — and certainly not his Edinburgh
This week, Damien Hoyland (below) has taken the brunt of the head coach’s blunt words put into practice, with the Scotland international dropped from the squad for today’s Pro14 trip to face the Scarlets.
The surprise defeat to Italian minnows Benetton at Myreside just over a week ago was always likely to see casualties, although Cockerill had already lamented being unable to make wholesale changes given the lack of strength and depth in his squad.
He has still made seven alterations to his starting XV, with Hoyland paying the heaviest price of those involved in the Italian debacle.
‘I want competition, nobody will be picked on reputation,’ said Cockerill regarding his selection for match in Wales. ‘I’ll pick from what I see in form and what is best for trying to win the next game.
‘I didn’t think Damien Hoyland played well enough last week, so he has been left out of the squad for that reason.’
Tom Brown, who hasn’t featured in any of Edinburgh’s first three league matches, has been brought in to replace Hoyland on the wing.
‘Tom is an experienced player, very reliable and deserves his opportunity,’ added Cockerill.
‘He has played over 100 games for the club and he gets his chance. It’s as simple as that.
‘If you are in the side but don’t take your opportunity and play how you can, then there is always the chance someone else will get theirs.’
Edinburgh face a massive challenge against the current league champions, who will field a full-strength side captained by Scotland skipper John Barclay.
Coming off the back of that embarrassing 20-17 loss to Benetton, there will need to be a massive improvement from Cockerill’s team.
‘There’s only Tom Brown coming in from outside the squad but all the other guys have had game time for us so far and a lot of those who aren’t starting this week are on the bench,’ added the coach.
‘It’s good to have Phil Burleigh back in the centre with his experience and Robbie Fruean goes to the bench because of that.
‘I don’t think it’s a risk rotating the side and changing some aspects of our performance this week because Scarlets are obviously a good side. It’s going to be a real test for us.
‘We know we can compete with these sides if we put our mind to it. I expect a reaction from last week and I’m sort of pleased Scarlets will have their best side out because it focuses our minds. It shows they have respect for us as a team.
‘I think they know that if they are not on it and we are, then we are a side capable of getting a result.’
Edinburgh still have big problems on the left side of the front row, with their three leading loose-head props still injured.
First-choice Allan Dell is sidelined at least for another two weeks with a knee injury, while Rory Sutherland is not expected back until November and Alasdair Dickinson is unlikely to play again this year.
Michele Rizzo, who is on a six-week loan from Leicester Tigers, plays his fourth match in a row. Cockerill is so concerned at the lack of fit props he wants to extend Rizzo’s deal till around the turn of the year.
‘There will be talks to keep Michele a little longer if we can,’ he admitted. ‘At least until Dell and Sutherland come back into the mix and are fully fit and playing.’
Centre Jonathan Davies will start for the Scarlets for the first time since his starring role with the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand over the summer.
The official Man of the Series eased his way back into action for his club, coming off the bench against Ulster last weekend.
He now features in the starting line-up alongside a host of other Welsh internationalists such as Leigh Halfpenny.
Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac was surprised at Edinburgh’s home defeat to Benetton but, knowing Cockerill well, doesn’t expect them to be so bad two weeks in a row.
‘Richard is one of the game’s characters, a no-nonsense sort of bloke,’ said Pivac. ‘He’ll be looking for a response after what he would classify as a poor result.
‘We are expecting his Edinburgh team to come here and be very physical. They have a strong tight five and set-piece, so they will really test us.
‘We won’t underestimate them and we’ll have to be up for this game.’
SCARLETS: Halfpenny; McNicholl, Davies, Parkes, S Evans; Patchell, Davies; Evans, Owens, Lee, Ball, Beirne, Shingler, Boyde, Barclay. EDINBURGH: Kinghorn; Brown, Dean, Burleigh, Harries; Weir, Fowles; Rizzo, McInally, Nel, Toolis, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury. Referee: John Lacey (Ire). Kick-off 7.35pm. LIVE on S4C.