Toolis says gap has closed as club targets European place

Ben Toolis thinks the current Edinburgh side are as close to competing with Glasgow as they have been during his time in Scotland.

The second-rower moved to the club in 2013, but for most of that time Edinburgh have been forced to play second fiddle to the Warriors, who have finished as runners-up and won the Guinness PRO14 in that time.

However, with Edinburgh now competing for a place in the end-of-season play-offs as well as a Champions Cup spot this weekend, Toolis is aware that the gap has closed and thinks the two rivals are almost level as they prepare for an 1872 Cup decider that will also determine Edinburgh’s fate this season.

Asked if this was the closest the two sides had been to each other, the Scotland international said: “Since I’ve been here, yeah.

“It’s hard to understand the history when you get there and the position you (Edinburgh) have been in, but I have been here for four or five seasons now so I have a good understanding of where we have been.

“Glasgow know we are improving and are a threat. Going into the game we are more in a position to be front-runners or put the pressure on them.”

He added: “Psychologically, Glasgow have always been the front-runners in Scottish rugby and we want to be the main team in the competition in Scotland.”

Richard Cockerill’s side need just a point against Glasgow to guarantee a top-three finish in Conference B, but they could also be confirmed in the play-offs should Ulster fail to get a bonus-point win at Munster earlier today.

With the cup also on the line, it makes for a mouthwatering end-of-season encounter, but Toolis insists the main priority is to get the point they need.

“We have potentially the play-offs and Europe on the line so we know what is at stake and with the 1872 Cup as well, it’s 1-1,” he said.

“We want to get the win more importantly to qualify for the play-offs and for Europe, that’s the main goal – but we just want to go out, get the win and get one up on them.”