COCKERILL SURE GILCHRIST IS READY FOR NATIONAL SERVICE

RICHARD COCKERILL expects Grant Gilchrist to be involved in Scotland’s Six Nations clash with Italy next weekend after an outstanding performance for Edinburgh in Wales on Saturday. The powerful second-row missed out on selection for the opening two rounds of the Championship against Ireland and England respectively. But Cockerill believes the 29-year-old will be selected by Gregor Townsend for the crunch trip to Rome after playing on for longer than anticipated following an injury to Fraser McKenzie. The Edinburgh coach said: ‘Gilchrist will probably be involved for Scotland in Rome, but he wanted to play for us in Llanelli. It’s good the national team management realise that guys need minutes. All round, it was a big Scottish effort. ‘It was extremely disappointing to lose Fraser McKenzie, as Gilchrist was under time constraints because of national duty, and he may be involved in the 23 with Scotland.’ Edinburgh moved to the top of Conference B of the Pro14 after their victory over Scarlets, in a match played in appalling conditions. Tries from winger Duhan van der Merwe and Scotland centre Matt Scott, along with four points from the boot of Jaco van der Walt, were enough to get Cockerill’s side over the line. All the Scarlets could muster were nine points from outside-half Dan Jones. The hosts were dominant for most of the game as they laid siege to the Edinburgh line, but the visiting defence remained intact to claim a notable victory. Edinburgh’s triumph capped a satisfying weekend for the two Scottish clubs, following Glasgow Warriors’ 56-24 victory over Zebre at Scotstoun on Friday night. That result has kept coach Dave Rennie’s men in contention for an end-of-season play-off place in Conference A.