Press Pass: Lawrie on Gloucester and Graham

• 10 Sep 2024
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Get the latest from Forwards Coach Stevie Lawrie ahead of Friday night’s Scottish Building Society pre-season clash with Gloucester at Hive Stadium.

On injuries in the pack

“In the second-row, we’ve still got Jamie Hodgson, Marshall Sykes, Grant Gilchrist. It’s an opportunity for Rob Carmichael to come in, and Euan McVie has been training regularly with the senior team as well.

“Plus we’ve got a few hybrid players that could jump up into that second row. Magnus [Bradbury] could scrummage in there – he’s done it before – and also Tom Dodd. So we’re blessed in terms of that back-five depth.”

On Sam Skinner’s injury

“He had a clean-up, the operation went well and we expect him to be back in November. Glen [Young] obviously hurt himself on tour with Scotland, and we expect him to be back just before then.

“But the key thing for me is there’s lots of opportunity there for guys to experience what it’s like playing against Gloucester and Leinster.

“It’s the same knee as he’s had issues with before. To his credit, he’s a tough lad and he gets on with things but we felt for him, to give him the best chance to put his game out there, you don’t want to always be managing a grumbly knee so it was right that he got the surgery and it’s gone well.

“He’s back running and we just want to make sure he’s a player for us for the next wee while.”

On pro-academy lock Euan McVie’s readiness

“I really like him. He’s physical, and actually, if you look at his rugby growth, it’s exponential given the fact I think he played half a game of 10s in his sixth year at school. He’s then played for Scotland Under-20s and done really well.

“His impacts are really impactful, for want of a better phrase. He’s very impactful on the ball – you see him when he carries and he goes.

“I think he’s somebody that is definitely pushing. He’s obviously got a few guys ahead of him at the minute, but I’d like to see him come through.”

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On how the squad are treating the Gloucester game

“We only have one pre-season game, which we felt was enough. We had an internal hit-out last week, which we used to have a look at everybody.

“This week the squad will be trimmed, probably to about 34 who’ll be involved in the match day, and that is what we’re probably going to see in those first five games. Thirty-four players is a good amount for that first block.”

On Darcy Graham’s return to fitness

“He’s bloody fantastic, honestly. If you had 50 Darcy Grahams running about life would be all right. If everyone turned up to work like Darcy Graham and Pierre Schoeman life would be absolutely grand, in terms of the energy they bring. He’s [Darcy] pumped, he’s ready to go.”

On hitting the ground running against Gloucester with Leinster around the corner

“The season’s blocked and we know what that start looks like. But what an opportunity to go out there and get a win against Leinster and then travel to Africa and create really meaningful bonds again because a tour does that for you.

“And if you can get a couple of results out there, when you come back it can be a real springboard for the season, leading into the autumn Tests.”