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Edinburgh pull out the big guns for coach's return to the Sharks

By PA
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 16: Edinburgh's Duhan Van Der Merwe celebrates after scoring a try during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Castres Olympique at DAM Health Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Edinburgh welcome Scotland internationals Duhan Van Der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Jamie Ritchie back into their starting XV for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Sharks in Durban.

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The quartet sat out the first match of their double-header in South Africa against Stormers last weekend as they were rested following their involvement in the Six Nations.

Head coach Sean Everitt has made five changes in total to the team that lost 43-21 in Cape Town, with centre Chris Dean also added to the line-up.

“It’s great to welcome back some more of our Scotland internationalists,” Everitt told the Edinburgh website.

“Guys like Jamie and Pierre bring a lot of quality and experience to the pack, and they’ll be raring to go after getting a bit of time off after the Six Nations.”

Veteran prop WP Nel retains his place in the front row after announcing his intention to retire at the end of the season.

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Everitt, whose side are sixth in the URC table, added: “We’ve spoken this week about remaining resilient and sticking to our game plan, while staying strong mentally when coming under pressure.

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“Sharks are strong at home but we’re ready for the challenge and look forward to the opportunity of representing our city and fans while here on South African soil.”

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Fixture
United Rugby Championship
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23 - 13
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J
JW 34 minutes ago
England player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

As has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.


Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.


That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.


You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

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