Edinburgh accuracy issue amid triple injury blow as Sean Everitt lifts lid on Glasgow fan banter

They competed well but lost 24-12 in the first leg of the 1872 Cup at Hampden and lost three more players to injury, adding to what is already a lengthy casualty list.

Ewan Ashman and Piers O’Conor both went off with head injuries in the first half and Duhan van der Merwe came off with a hip issue in the second period.

You have to go back to 2018 for the last time Edinburgh defeated the Warriors in their own den and they were never ahead during this latest meeting of the inter-city rivals.

Matt Fagerson and Dylan Richardson swapped tries in the first half but Glasgow pushed clear after the break as Rory Darge and Gregor Hiddleston crossed for the home side. Grant Gilchrist replied for Edinburgh to reduce the arrears to seven points but Warriors sub hooker Seb Stephen scored a late try to secure a bonus-point win for the hosts.

The sides will meet again at Murrayfield in the second leg on Saturday.

“I thought we defended really well,” said Everitt. “There was a lot of fight in our defence, keeping them out in the first half. We only got into their 22 once and managed to score a try. We started the second half better, had opportunities in the 22, but weren't accurate enough there.

“Credit to Glasgow on how they defended us as well in the 22, so that's an area that we need to improve on for next week. But if I look at the defensive effort and the physicality, I thought we were right up there with the fight that the guys showed, but you can't win a game on that alone.

“You have to fire some shots from an attack point of view and it didn't work out for us. Some of our set-piece was disrupted as well. And then obviously Glasgow managed to slow our ball down on attack, so we've got a bit of work to do on our breakdown and our accuracy in our execution in our attack.”

Everitt acknowledged that Glasgow's 12-point lead was a big advantage as Edinburgh look to win the 1872 Cup for the first time in four seasons.

“Twelve points in a derby game is a big deficit to catch up,” said the Edinburgh head coach. “But we're positive that if we can put up the same fight and the same physicality next week and be more accurate with ball in hand, that we've got an opportunity to do that.”

Edinburgh have won their last two matches against Glasgow at Murrayfield but by narrow margins. Everitt will now assess his injured players ahead of the return leg.

“Duhan took a blow on his hip,” said the coach. “I haven't had an opportunity to talk to the medical staff, but that's what it is.” Centre O'Conor and hooker Ashman both failed HIAs and were unable to return.

Everitt said he enjoyed having the match played at Hampden. “I really enjoyed the vibe out there sitting in the stands,” he said. “A great venue, and a great turnout as well from the spectators.”

Everitt was seated close to the supporters and said there was some friendly banter with the Glasgow fans. “We got offered a beer as well, but we didn't accept that,” he said. “Very kind of that gentleman!”