Everitt praises comeback victory

• 15 Sep 2024
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Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt hailed his side's grit and determination after a thrilling 33-26 Scottish Building Society pre-season victory over Gloucester at Hive Stadium.

The win was highlighted by a strong second-half comeback, with Darcy Graham scoring a try after just six minutes on his return from injury.

Graham, who made his first appearance in nearly eight months, was named Scottish Building Society Player of the Match following his acrobatic first-half finish.

“Darcy has had a great pre-season and the fact he never played in the summer tour served him well,” Everitt said. “It gave him time to recover and he is back at his best.

“That is what you get from one of the best wingers in the world, one of best performers at the World Cup so it was great to have him back.”

The coach also praised the impact of Edinburgh’s summer recruits, including Mosese Tuipulotu.

“I was pleased for him,” Everitt commented. “It is not easy to leave your family at home in Australia and coming to Edinburgh and learning new ways and meeting new people.”

He continued: “Paul Hill has added a different dynamic to our tight five. He is a mobile prop and gets around the park and compliments Pierre Schoeman in a way.

“Matt Scott did well defensively and put Gloucester under pressure in the first half. We have a selection meeting on Sunday and that’s what we want, everybody fit and on form and on track.”

Everitt was particularly impressed by the work rate of the players who came on at halftime.

“They worked harder than the other group and got on top,” he said. “I thought they showed a lot of resilience to keep the opposition out for the last fifteen minutes.

“There were a lot of pleasing things to take out of that and a lot of work we put in in the off season was on show, and that is what these games are for. It was also pleasing to see the newcomers have settled in well in the pre-season.”

The victory is a positive sign as Edinburgh Rugby prepare for Friday night’s unmissable BKT United Rugby Championship opener against Leinster at Hive Stadium.

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