‘Do Edinburgh proud’ – Everitt calls on home support for semi-final showdown

The buzz is palpable in the Scottish capital as Edinburgh Rugby prepare to host Bath in a mouth-watering EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final clash at Hive Stadium this Saturday.

Head Coach Sean Everitt is under no illusions about the challenge his side faces against the Gallagher Premiership high-flyers, but senses the opportunity for a momentous step towards a European final.

Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Everitt acknowledged the formidable threat posed by Johann van Graan’s Bath outfit.

“Yes, they’ve been the form team by a long shot,” he stated, referencing their impressive run in the English top flight which sees them sitting top of the table on 66 points.

“We had a good look at their game on the weekend against Newcastle. They’ve put some strong opposition away as well. They’ve got a good all-round team defensively, kick and game as well as with their attack.”

While Bath’s domestic form has been stellar, their journey in the Champions Cup saw them lose three out of four pool matches. However, Everitt dismissed any suggestion that this offered Edinburgh a route to the final.

“Not at all,” he asserted. “Anything can go wrong in the Champions Cup. It’s a tough competition… they’ll be wanting to get their hands on a trophy as well. Johan’s been there now for his third year and he’s pulled the team together well.

Edinburgh will be looking to build on the electric atmosphere generated at Hive Stadium during their recent clash against the Sharks, despite the narrow defeat.

“Every time we run out at Hive we want to do Edinburgh proud,” Everitt said. “It’s a big day. It’s a sacrifice to come and watch us on the weekends.

“If you look at the opposition that we’ve had over the last three weeks, it’s certainly prepared us well enough to take on the likes of Bath.

“We know that Bath are full of internationals as well. In some positions they’re double internationals. So for us it’s about an 80 minute effort so that we can contain what they bring off the bench.”

A significant subplot of Saturday’s semi-final will be the encounter with Bath and Scotland stand-off Finn Russell. Everitt is acutely aware of the playmaker’s capabilities.

“He’s a world class player, one of the best in the world,” he admitted. “We can’t focus on one individual but he’s influential in how they play. He’s influential in the results they have against teams.”

The prospect of reaching a European final is not lost on Everitt and his squad. “It is important,” he stressed. “I was chatting to Hamish [Watson] earlier today. It’s only the third semi-final that he’s been involved in in his long career. So it puts that all in perspective how big the game is for us.”

He underlined the significance of the occasion, stating, “When you get dumped out of a semi-final you feel like you haven’t achieved anything. I’ve had experience of that when you get into the final. You’ve got everything to play for but you’ve reached the pinnacle and we’re not there yet. So it’s a massive game for us to be able to enjoy.”

In team news, Everitt provided an update on the availability of key back-three star Wes Goosen. “Wes has been cleared to play and obviously we’ll see how he gets through training today,” he revealed. “As we know he had a back spasm so it’s something that could reoccur and we’ll make the final call on him on Thursday.”

The return of experienced Scotland internationals Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, and Grant Gilchrist will also provide a significant boost to the Edinburgh pack. “It’s always pleasing because you look at those guys when they come back after a week off to bring energy within the group,” Everitt commented.

“Although this week the energy is there because of the magnitude of the game that we’re going to play on Saturday. And obviously the opposition that we’re going to be playing against. So yes, they are leaders, they are experienced and we do look at them for the extra guidance that the team might need in the week.”