Ashman at the double as Edinburgh
Hooker scores twice as Everitt’s side move up to fourth after six-try victory over Italians in the capital
EDINBURGH moved up to sixth in the United Rugby Championship table with a 40-14 bonus-point win over Zebre this evening. The home side scored six tries in all, with Ewan Ashman helping himself to a first-half double, while WP Nel, Chris Dean and Javan Sebastian also crossed to seal a win that was comfortable in the end, but looked in doubt until the final quarter.
Scotland hooker Ashman opened the scoring after getting on the end of a second consecutive dominant maul from the home side.
The visitors struck back with a stunning solo score from full-back Geronimo Prisciantelli, who cut through the Edinburgh defence with some not-too-subtle blocking from his colleagues that the officials let go after a TMO review.
The home side had most of the ball but struggled to find a way through the stubborn visitors in general play. They again turned to the maul, Ashman driving over for his second score to put the hosts back in front. Ben Healy, having missed his first attempt, landed the next two to give the home side a 19-7 advantage at the interval.
The visitors hit back when Jacopo Trulla scored just before the hour, but Chris Dean’s score inside the final quarter of an hour made the game safe and wrapped up a vital bonus point for the home side.
Victory puts them up to sixth in the URC table with two rounds of the regular season to play.
Here are five things we learned from Hive Stadium.
Edinburgh again rely on pack power
With an attacking game not quite clicking as they would have liked, Edinburgh turned to their maul to take control. Ewan Ashman picked up where he left off a fortnight ago against Cardiff, driving over from a pair of first half mauls. Not to be outdone, the veteran WP Nel on his penultimate home game after 12 years with Edinburgh picked and drove over just before half-time to give the capital club a buffer at the break.
Having not been able to get on top at the scrum in the opening 40 minutes, the hosts grew into the game in that department after the break.
Edinburgh’s attack continues to misfire
Sean Everitt’s side find themselves in a scrap for the play-offs because they’ve picked up fewer bonus points than anyone else in the URC. Their attacking game has failed to fire too often this season, and again at times here they looked out of ideas after three or four phases.
Superb shift from Sam Skinner
The Scotland lock produced an excellent showing, with highlights including excellent work at the lineout, a
terrific early turnover, and a brilliant take under a box-kick one of too many on a glorious evening for running rugby out of the Edinburgh sky.
Skinner’s experience of winning the Champions Cup and Premiership during his time with Exeter Chiefs could make a big difference.
Ben Vellacott must start
The former Wasps scrum-half was appointed Edinburgh co-captain at the start of the season, but has found himself in a battle with Ali Price for the starting jersey since the latter moved from Glasgow.
Vellacott adds great impact from the bench, but he offers much more than just a running threat. He should be given the opportunity against Munster next week from the start.
Edinburgh won’t cause play-off sides sleepless nights
If they do make the play-offs, Edinburgh will need to play considerably better to cause any of the top-end sides in the URC problems. Matt Currie said during the week a trip along the M8 to Scotstoun might not be the worst outcome, but on the evidence of this display, you’d bet Franco Smith would welcome another Scottish derby in the last eight.