Shamed star Bradbury set for recall
SHAMED Edinburgh star Magnus Bradbury will be given an instant shot at redemption this Saturday following the most traumatic three weeks of his fledgling career.
The 22-year-old was stripped of the captaincy by head coach Richard Cockerill last month after he fell and suffered a head injury during a drinkfuelled night out.
However, with his suspension now lifted after an internal investigation found him guilty of breaching club rules, he is expected to go straight back into the side for this weekend’s Pro14 tie with Ospreys at Myreside.
‘It’s been a tough time for Magnus and for the club,’ said assistant head coach Duncan Hodge yesterday. ‘He’s gutted about the whole thing. It’s not a great situation for anyone. He wants to help the club and make up for lost time.
‘Now he has to find ways mentally to get on with it. For a couple of weeks there medically, and for other reasons, he was not around and it’s hard when you are in isolation. He is now at the point of focusing on Saturday at Myreside.’
Hodge insisted that Bradbury, who has been replaced as captain by Fraser McKenzie, had not been reaching the high standards expected of him this season even before being stripped of the captaincy — and was already having to up his game to retain his place.
‘Around this time a year ago he was playing for Scotland,’ said Hodge. ‘He didn’t reach these heights in the first four, five weeks of the season so he’ll be desperate to get back on the pitch.’
The back-row forward’s return comes at a crucial time for Edinburgh, with open-side flanker John Hardie still suspended as the SRU hold an investigation into alleged cocaine use.
Head coach Cockerill could also be missing Hamish Watson, Cornell du Preez and Jamie Ritchie who have been with the Scotland squad preparing for the autumn Tests.
However, Hodge is hopeful that some players will be released from the Scotland camp for the Ospreys match as Edinburgh look to build on last Saturday’s 24-13 win over Benetton in Italy.
‘The formation of our back row depends on what happens with Scotland,’ he said, ‘but every team will be like that this time of year with guys away on international duty.’
Hodge knows Edinburgh will likely be without Watson, now first-choice Scotland open-side with Hardie suspended.
‘You can see how much quality he has when we won in Italy at the weekend,’ said the former Scotland fly-half. ‘He can break tackles and is a physical ball carrier.
‘Without him we have Luke Crosbie, who can play seven and is strong defensively. For Luke to start his first season the way he has is a credit to him and he could come in if needed, but it all depends on what players we get back from Scotland.’