Judgement Day (Treviso on Saturday)

[dolf_lundgren]

The whole season now come down to one game on Saturday. Benetton are in decent from, but suppose we are too, although it never feels like we have found our flow.

We can win on Saturday, but they will feel the same. Forecast is for rain, which I think may help us more than a warm dry day.

Cant see many changes, injury to Wes will be the biggest issue. A few whispers that one of both of Henry and Paterson may be available, which would be a welcome boost, particularly if Wes doesnt make it. Our run of injuries has been horrific in the back 3. Possibly an argument to move Currie into the centre if not needed on the wing?

Other than that, I dont see many changes, possibly Crosbie coming into the mix ahead of Watson if it is going to be an arm wrestle? Vellacott I think will hold onto the 9 jersey for this on, again though if it is wet, the Price comes into the reckoning.

The Munster game has to be the benchmark for our defence and forward aggression. Im slightly concerned after listening to a podcast with Warren Gatland, he was talking about Wasps being battered by Leicester in Johnson and Backs last game at Welford road, only to then put 40pts on them 2 weeks later as they couldnt replicate the energy. We need a big performance. If we lose this then it takes almost all of the positivity from the season away in one result.

[liveinhope]

I see it reported that Goosen has a broken foot so clearly he is out.Mention from Everitt that either Scott or Henry will be FB.No mention of Paterson which would suggest he is not in the reckoning.
Otherwise team really picks itself-though I agree with you about Crosbie (and agree that poorer weather might suit us!)

[dolf_lundgren]

Missed that about Wes, bit of a nightmare.

Not sure who I woudl prefer at fullback, Henry is very good going forward and under the high ball, Scott would potentially give us more control and is defensively sound, will be a bit test for whoever plays. I woudl be tempted to go for Scott with would let us play Henry on the wing, better to have 1 player out of position than 2.

I would throw Jack Brown into the mix too, looks a good prospect and knows the position.

[dolf_lundgren]

Teams up, big surprises at centre and fullback. Not sure what the thinking is. Has Lang played there before? I know he played at 10 for Harlequins a few times, but he has been less of a playmaker than a straght runner recently. He has a decent boot on him though. Price back in is a bit of a surprise, but he and Crosbie do suggest we wont be playing much champagne rugby early on at least!

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 1 June (kick-off 1pm BST/ 2pm local) – live on Premier Sports

15. James Lang (56)

14. Jake Henry (4)
13. Matt Currie (39)
12. Chris Dean (152)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (91)

10. Ben Healy (22)
9. Ali Price (16)

1. Pierre Schoeman (114)
2. Ewan Ashman (19)
3. WP Nel (206)
4. Sam Skinner (24)
5. Grant Gilchrist (204) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (113)
7. Luke Crosbie (99)
8. Viliame Mata (137)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (92)
17. Boan Venter (65)
18. Javan Sebastian (16)
19. Marshall Sykes (61)
20. Hamish Watson (158)
21. Ben Vellacott (60)
22. Cammy Scott (11)
23. Mark Bennett (107)

[The Feral Goat]

Will be interesting to see how the back line goes with Dean at 12, as has been said he played really well under Blair.

Lang has a decent kicking game is a good tackler so can see why he is at 15, perhaps lose a bit of cutting edge from the back though, hopefully i am proved wrong.

Strong pack, strong bench i don't think we can use back 3 injuries as an excuse 80mins to make or break the season.

[odw26]

Congratulations to Luke for reaching 100 caps.

James Lang at 15 is an interesting one but I would imagine with the injuries in our back three that Everitt has gone for experience over one of the youngsters.

[Crichton Gunner]

If Stormers and Cardiff win tomorrow we finish in the top 8 even if we lose to Benetton. They are both at home, so are probably favourites to win. Winning means we definitely finish top 8, but losing doesn't mean we are definitely out.

[odw26]

If Stormers and Cardiff win tomorrow we finish in the top 8 even if we lose to Benetton. They are both at home, so are probably favourites to win. Winning means we definitely finish top 8, but losing doesn't mean we are definitely out.

I'm at Judgement Day today, so I'll definitely be shouting on Cardiff then!

[Pitfitter1105]

Couldn’t Premier get an Italian into the studio to partner Ryan W?

[macdone]

Pretty pathetic collapse.

[dolf_lundgren]

Ended with a whimper. Frankly Treviso looked
More up for it and far better coached. We just didn’t turn up.

Same problems as we have had all season, not enough intensity and backs just look clueless.

[The Feral Goat]

Lucky they got ST sales out early.

Absolutely abysmal.

[Frank]

If Stormers and Cardiff win tomorrow we finish in the top 8 even if we lose to Benetton. They are both at home, so are probably favourites to win. Winning means we definitely finish top 8, but losing doesn't mean we are definitely out.

We're now 9th. The likely Os BP win will leave us in 10th.
Such a dreadful performance in a winner takes all match. I thought Glasgow's keich last night couldn't be match, but this was a team completely bereft of ideas.
We need a really positive recruitment drive over the summer.

[macdone]

I'm not convinced Healy will start ahead of Ross Thompson at this rate. Thompson can kick and can't be a worse tackler.

[Pitfitter1105]

Did anyone tell Healy he was supposed to tackle!