Consistency key as Lawrie targets away day performance in Cardiff

Edinburgh Rugby Forwards Coach Stevie Lawrie is keeping a firm grasp on reality as his side looks to back up last Friday’s dominant 43-0 shutout of Benetton with a tough trip to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff this Friday.

The emphatic win at Hive Stadium, which Lawrie felt had the stadium “absolutely bouncing,” was a crucial response after a frustrating start to the season.

“In terms of the performance at the weekend, it was great,” Lawrie said, reflecting on the victory. “We wanted to put on a show for the fans as well, because obviously the first couple of rounds and the cancelled game left us with a bit of frustration.”

He highlighted the massive step-up in defensive grit and discipline after previous slip-ups. “I was really pleased with the defence, I was pleased for Mike Todd and our defensive leaders, because when you nil a team, that’s great… I was probably most pleased with the level of physicality.”

Edinburgh were dominant in Friday’s win over Benetton

Crucially, the team translated their fighting spirit into accuracy. “We spoke about accurate fight all week, and I think that’s a big thing, because we gave four yellow cards away the week before, so for us to put that down to duck a game was good.”

Despite the perfect scoreline, Lawrie is measured, echoing a timeless sporting adage: “You’re never as good as you think you are, you’re never as bad as you think you are. I know everyone always says that, but it’s so true.”

The key, he stressed, is to stay competitive and positive: “It just shows that in this game, you’ve just got to keep battling and stay positive that we’re not really that far away.”

That balance of fight and focus will be critical as Edinburgh head to the Welsh capital. Cardiff Arms Park is a venue Lawrie feels the team traditionally “enjoy going and playing” at, but they know the challenge ahead.

“We know the threat that they’ve got, they’re playing really nice rugby. Sheedy’s obviously the assist man on social media, and he puts in those kicks and he’s got them fizzing from an attack point of view,” he noted, pointing to the threats in the opposition backline.

Liam McConnell has started the season in impressive form

For Edinburgh, the focus remains on consistency. “Consistency has very much been the approach. As I said, not too high, not too low. Back in: ‘Right, let’s make sure we’re working on the areas that need to be improved and we accentuate our super strengths’.

The ultimate goal is to prove they can win away from home: “I think it’s important for us that we do go away and put down a performance that says that we’re able to go away from home and win as well.”

Lawrie was also delighted to discuss the strong contingent of Edinburgh players named in the Scotland squad, singling out the excellent form of young back-rower Liam McConnell, who was included for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

“I think it’s been well documented… that he just went away in pre-season, probably did a pre-season and came back in phenomenal shape, and smashed the Bronco,” Lawrie revealed.

McConnell’s dedication is paying off: “Lo and behold, he’s started every game, or he’s played every game, so I’m pleased for him. He’s humble, he works hard, and he’s definitely a future Scottish star.”

Finally, on the injury front, Lawrie offered an update that will excite fans, confirming that Luke Crosbie is available for selection this week, although Ben Muncaster is not yet back.

There’s also positive news concerning the back-three stars, as Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are “taking part in bits of training,” with the coaching staff currently “just assessing them to see if they’ll be all right this week.”