Scottish Rugby

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Edinburgh prop Boan Venter will leave the club at the end of the season and return to South Africa to join Lions.

Having signed from Cheetahs in 2020, Venter has gone on to play 96 times for Edinburgh and has also earned eight caps for the Springboks in that time.

"It was a tough decision to leave a club that has become home, but I am excited for the opportunity with the Emirates Lions and to be closer to family," Venter said.

"I want to thank all the Edinburgh fans for their incredible support over the years. I have enjoyed every moment of my time in this amazing city and wearing the jersey.

"I can assure everyone that I will be giving my absolute all for this badge and my teammates right up until the final whistle of the season."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotstoun's greatest night?

Glasgow Warriors have had some special nights at Scotstoun down the years, but this extraordinary comeback victory against the mighty Toulouse may well be the greatest of the lot.

After being stunned into near silence as the French giants threatened to run away with the game in the first half, the noise ramped up as Glasgow started to eat into the 21-point deficit. By the end, when Warriors had completed the most dramatic of turnarounds, it was bedlam in the stands.

The foul weather conditions had threatened to spoil arguably the pick of the matches in round two of the Champions Cup. As it was, the spectacle exceeded all expectations.

Horne heroics helps turn the tide

They came to see the world's greatest player in Antoine Dupont, but they left talking about another scrum-half – George Horne.

It's been a frustration for Horne that he has often been seen throughout his career as the ultimate impact player from the bench, but there really are few better at lifting the tempo of a match.

Unlike Jamie Dobie who started, Horne did have the benefit of the strong wind at his back in the second half, but his energy and quality helped get Warriors on the front foot.

Adam Hastings also delivered probably his best performance since his return to Scotstoun, and between them the Glasgow half-backs helped turn what had appeared to be an unstoppable Toulouse tide.

Barnstorming Brown continues to impress

Speaking of bench impact, Gregor Brown was thunderously good when he entered the fray.

The 24-year-old's ferocious carrying started to put the Toulouse defensive line on the back foot and the gaps started to appear.

Brown looks like a player completely at home mixing it with the best and seems only to be getting better.

Scotland are blessed with tremendous back-row options, but Brown on this form must be odds-on to be starting come the Six Nations opener against Italy in February.

We asked for your views on Glasgow Warriors 28-21 win against Toulouse and Edinburgh's 33-0 defeat by Castres in the Champions Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Glasgow Warriors 28-21 Toulouse

Graham: I hope these Glasgow players get all the credit they deserve for an amazing comeback win. It wasn't that long ago many of them were 21-0 up and then lost to Argentina, so tremendous character on display. The Jamie Dobie tackle on Ange Capuozzo just before half-time was so vital, what a player he is becoming.

Campbell: Surely one of, if not the greatest performance for Glasgow. A real statement that we mean business and can compete against the best in the world. The maturity required to stay calm at 21-0 down and come back and win, if that was a Hollywood film you might say "too far watched". So proud of the Warriors. Top of the table!

Scotty: While I'm over the moon with this result, there must be a long hard look at the scrum and how the team approaches the referee to atone for their misdemeanours. We were lucky in the first half not to get a yellow and be a man down; thus the ball game. Zander Fagerson needs to rein it in on pestering referees or he will rapidly gain a reputation that will stand against him at both club and international level.

Brian: Brilliant. It was a tough watch in the East Stand in the first half; we just couldn't get out of our half or keep possession, but we knew the wind was a significant factor. But what a second half. And well done Dobie for his tackle on the stroke of half time; going in four tries down could have been a very different story.

James: Absolutely brilliant win! The pack was immense in the second half getting forward on all their carry's. Best game from Adam Hastings all season! What an atmosphere in difficult conditions for the teams and the supporters.

Stuart: Epic match and a tale of two halves. Too many handling errors and penalties in first half gave Toulouse confidence and a well worked lead, however, the second half, starving Toulouse of possession and the introduction of George Horne and Gregor Brown took the Warriors to a different level. A fantastic match and equally fantastic win. All the team played their part.

Castres 33-0 Edinburgh

David: They blew two absolutely certain tries with their white line fever. Let's hope 'normal service' hasn't resumed at Edinburgh and it was just the result of a pragmatic squad rotation in view of the upcoming double header with Glasgow.

Adam: We see it as Edinburgh Rugby supporters, from glorious victory to humiliating defeat without scoring a point. This was of course a much changed team from the previous home match, and though the young and inexperienced forwards showed promise our second string back line were disjointed and ineffective, particularly the back three.

Keith: We win a match then lose three. Our coaching team have not improved this team in any way shape or form. Get rid now please. They have had long enough.

Jamie: Shocking result, following the great performance last week. Typically the Edinburgh way, never able to follow up on a good result. The resting of internationals does nothing for the teams chances to progress, sadly we don't have the depth of squad.

Andy: The decision to make so many changes for the Castres game deflated the atmosphere after the win the previous week. A game that was winnable with a strong team suddenly became an embarrassment of a display and whilst the players aren't blameless, most responsibility lies at the door of coach. The only reason he can still be in the post is because the SRU are trying to save cash and will wait until the end of season before looking for someone to replace him. Asking supporters to spend a lot of money on a season ticket to watch a coach sending out random selections with no idea, plan or enthusiasm is tantamount to fraud.

Steve: I can't see how the handling of the team selection by the manager is helping any of the players. I feel for these young guys thrust in against battle hardened opposition, with little experience around to help them. For whatever reason, we don't have the depth of Glasgow, but that is why selection management is so critical. It's almost like we are putting out teams based on the desire not to get beaten by too many points. But then we shock a team like Toulon and expectations are heightened again, only to be dashed the very next day. Surely a better mix of youth and experience every single match would be the way to create depth?

A much-changed Edinburgh side shipped five tries in an Investec Champions Cup drubbing by Castres in the south of France.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells BBC Scotland: "I'm grateful for the fans coming out and glad we could make them happy tonight.

"I agree, it was loud. That is the way we want to see Scotstoun even more, so I'm glad we could do it today.

"I had no doubt. We had, in the first half, limited possession. We turned it over too easily. Nine turnovers before half-time. We couldn't get through four phases.

"We didn't ask them to defend enough, so we knew that if we get the ball in our hands, if we get a bit of territory, we can ask questions. I was confident that we will score points.

"Momentum in this game is everything. We identified it, we acted on it, but we stayed in the process, which is for me more important.

"The physical application tonight was fantastic. They believed in the plan and the way they acted on their belief. I'm really proud of that.

"We timed the bench right, I think. It was more or less the plan to bring George [Horne] and Gregor [Brown] as an extra carrier to get their speed up a little bit more. They did their job well and then the boys finishing it off in the end was fresh and eager at the right time of the game.

"It does give us confidence, but it also creates expectation and expectation can blame one. For now, we're just going to focus on the next job and the process and use the confidence to grow and progress."

Glasgow Warriors mounted an epic comeback from 21-0 down to beat French giants Toulouse in the Champions Cup on one of the club's greatest nights.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Edinburgh have named a youthful side to take on Castres in the Champions Cup on Sunday with several big names rested.

Having shocked Toulon in the competition last weekend, head coach Sean Everitt makes 11 changes to his starting XV.

Matt Currie will make his first appearance of the season at outside centre, with half-backs Ben Vellacott and Cammy Scott the only backs retained.

Jack Brown, 20, starts at full-back, with Lewis Wells, 23, on the wing.

In the forwards, 19-year-old prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty - who this week signed his first professional contract - starts again after impressing against Toulon.

And there is a start in the back row for Scotland's youngest ever male international, Freddy Douglas.

Scotland players Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham, Magnus Bradbury, Grant Gilchrist are all rotated out of the squad.

"After a great win last week we're looking forward taking on Castres in their own back yard in the next round of the Champions Cup," Everitt said.

"It's a long season, and we're in the middle of a 10-week block, so we need to use our full squad in this period. We're giving a few of our younger guys a shot this weekend and we're excited to see how they go against another big French side."

Edinburgh: Brown, McCann, Currie, O'Conor, Wells, Scott, Vellacott; Venter, Morris, Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Young, McConnell, Douglas, Dodd.

Replacements: Ashman, Jones, Hill, Boyle, Watson, Shiel, Lang, Goosen.

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Jamie Dobie will start at scrum-half for Glasgow Warriors against Toulouse on Saturday in the only change from last weekend's victory over Sale.

Versatile Scotland back Dobie replaces George Horne for the Champions Cup clash at Scotstoun against the five-time winners.

In an unchanged forward pack, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form an all-Scotland back row.

Kyle Steyn captains Glasgow from the wing, while Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu continue in the centres.

"We were pleased to open our Champions Cup campaign with a win last weekend, yet we know that there are still more levels to come from this group as we continue to build," head coach Franco Smith said.

"Toulouse possess one of the deepest squads in European rugby and have a proud record in this competition, and we know the scale of the test that awaits us tomorrow night."

Glasgow: McKay, Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith, Hastings, Dobie; McBeth, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Craig, Brown, Miller, Horne, Lancaster.

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

VIPip asked: Edinburgh and Glasgow showed some amount of mental resilience and no soft underbelly to win against Toulon and Sale Sharks respectively. Why can't these same players, especially in the forwards, not do that for Scotland?

Andy answered: Well the first thing to say, and it's a fairly obvious point, is Test rugby is a significant step up even from the Champions Cup. The pressure and intensity are a different level.

These were two brilliant results for Glasgow and Edinburgh, make no mistake about it, but round one of the Champions Cup compared with the knockout stages – far less Test rugby – are two different beasts.

I do think it all comes back to psychology. Scottish players have proved they can go toe to toe with the best sides for spells in matches and even produce the odd victory, but when it comes to the absolute crunch of a must-win game – whether that be latter stages of the Champions Cup or in Six Nations and World Cups – they have generally been found wanting.

Glasgow's run to the URC title in 2024 was the exception rather than the rule.

The best sides save their best for the biggest games and most find another gear when the big prizes are in sight. Scotland need to find that next level if they are to compete for trophies.

RDW asked: Edinburgh have a really strong pack but there's no doubt the backs need significant improvement, albeit they also have some talented youngsters in the squad. Is it time to push the boat out to land a high value half-back or centre if we can, or stick with the youth?

Andy answered: Edinburgh's midfield has long been a problem area. They have never quite been able to find settled combinations between 10-12 and 12-13, which pretty much all the top teams possess.

Ross Thompson and Ben Healy have both, for a variety of reasons, failed to make the 10 jersey their own, but I thought Cammy Scott's performance against Toulon was very impressive. He should get a run at stand-off to see if he's the man to get this backline ticking.

A proper lynchpin at 12 would be a priority for me. A playmaker who can also make inroads at the gainline would be invaluable.

The hope was Mosese Tuipulotu would be that figure, much like his brother is for Glasgow. He has a slowish start to his Edinburgh career and unfortunately injury has robbed him of the chance to kick on.

Hopefully he can return and take his game to another level, but 12 is definitely a position to look at when it comes to new recruits.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ollie Blyth-Lafferty wants to push himself into contention for a Scotland call-up after signing his first professional contract with Edinburgh.

The 19-year-old tighthead prop made an impressive first start for the club in the terrific Champions Cup victory over Toulon last weekend.

"It was absolutely amazing coming up against Toulon and doing it at home as well," Blyth-Lafferty told BBC Scotland.

"Getting to put that many points on them and starting also. It was an amazing week going into it and then to top it off with a win - absolutely brilliant.

"Definitely a memory for a long time. Absolutely loved it."

Blyth-Lafferty admits he was nervous after being told he was being pitched in from the start against the three-time European champions.

"At first it was a bit scary to be honest, but through the week I got a lot more confident," he said.

"A lot of the older guys, more experienced players, like Grant Gilchrist and Magnus Bradbury, they definitely helped me out and built that confidence.

"By the time we came out into game day, I just felt more excited than anything else. The nerves definitely died down as the week went on."

Having had a taste top level rugby, Blyth-Lafferty wants to push himself and play in more big games.

"At first I didn't really know what was going to be next for me, but getting to sign a full pro deal at my hometown, Edinburgh, is amazing," he said.

"It's something I've wanted to do since I was a wee boy. Getting to do that is a dream come true, to be honest.

"I just want to go as far as I can with my rugby. There's definitely still a lot of work to be done.

"I'd say for me, playing for Scotland would be the goal now and hopefully tick that off eventually, but I know that there's still a lot I need to do and a lot I need to work on if I want to get that. It's exciting but it's definitely going to be a long run for me."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ben Vellacott says Edinburgh's statement victory over Toulon has provided momentum going into a crucial period of the season.

The capital side will look to build on that terrific start to their Champions Cup campaign when they travel to France to face Castres on Sunday before heading into a festive double-header against rivals Glasgow Warriors.

"I think it's just us given a little bit of momentum," Vellacott told BBC Scotland.

"Obviously, we were pretty disappointed with the Ospreys game. We came out of a win, but it was a pretty gritty performance.

"To come out against a star-studded Toulon and win was pretty cool. It just gives us momentum and that's what you want, especially coming up into Christmas.

"We've obviously got the 1872 games coming up against Glasgow. It just gives you momentum, a bit of confidence going into those games."

Despite the confidence taken from beating the French giants, Vellacott insists nobody at Edinburgh is getting carried away by one victory.

"We've literally played one good game and we're saying that we're world beaters," said the scrum-half.

"We've got to keep grounded and put in good performances. It's another chance this weekend against a strong Castres.

"The beauty about rugby is you can win one week and then you lose the next, it all comes tumbling down.

"I've been there in those situations when you're on those highs. At the same time, you can really go straight down to those lows.

"I've used the word momentum quite a bit and honestly, if we can ride that, then we'll get another win and we can ride that momentum."

Tom English and Andy Burke answer audience questions and analyse Edinburgh and Glasgow's wins in the Champions Cup.

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Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland says it was an "easy decision" to sign a new contract with Glasgow Warriors until the summer of 2028.

The 31-year-old has become an important member of Franco Smith's side since arriving on a two-year deal from from French side Oyonnax last year.

"I've really enjoyed the season and a half I've had here so far," Sutherland said.

"The boys and the coaches have made me feel really welcome and I'm enjoying my rugby, so it was an easy decision to re-sign.

"The move to Glasgow has been great for my family, too. It's given us a sense of stability, and it's been so good to have them coming to games regularly. There's a great family feel to the club.

"The quality we have in this group is so impressive. I knew a lot of the guys from Scotland camp prior to arriving in Glasgow, but the senior academy lads have also really stood up and impressed for the club. There's an exciting future in store, for sure."

Sutherland, who has 46 Scotland caps, is a "strong role model" for Glasgow's young players, says head coach Smith.

He added: "We're pleased to be able to secure Rory's services for the foreseeable future as we continue to build strength in depth across every position.

"He has fully bought into what we are building here ever since arriving at Scotstoun, bringing good energy and commitment to the jersey."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Edinburgh's young talents will be key to the side finding the consistency they have long been searching for, according to assistant coach Stevie Lawrie.

The likes of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, and 21-year-old back-row Liam McConnell were instrumental as Edinburgh opened their Champions Cup campaign with a stunning victory over three-times champions Toulon.

Backing up one big performance with another has been a long-standing issue at the capital club, something they will hope to do when they travel to face French side Castres on Sunday.

"For us, it's about making sure our environment is as consistent as possible and that's the way you're going to get it," Lawrie told BBC Scotland.

"I look at the young boys coming through now, the likes of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Liam McConnell and Freddie Douglas, these guys are coming through and they're pushing a standard.

"I think that only bodes well to being consistent week in, week out so no matter what team takes the paddock, we're consistent and we're able to perform."

Tighthead prop has long been identified as a problem position for the national team, with few top-quality options behind Glasgow's Zander Fagerson, and hopes are high that Blyth-Lafferty can help fill the void.

Lawrie believes the youngster is in the best possible place to develop his game and learn from some of Edinburgh's seasoned campaigners.

"He's a young tighthead prop and it'll be a big challenge again this week out at Castres," Lawrie said.

"Ollie's somebody that's willing to learn, always asking questions, loves his craft and he's in there with good boys as well.

"He scrummages against a British and Irish Lion in Pierre Schoeman and a Springbok in Boan Venter, so that creates a pretty competitive environment for a young tighthead."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow Warriors fly-half Adam Hastings admits Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Toulouse is a "massive" test and feels it would be one of the biggest Scotstoun "scalps" if they were able to beat the competition's most successful team.

The French outfit have lifted the famous trophy six times and boast the likes of France captain Antoine Dupont and Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn in their squad.

Even though radio silence is being maintained for the moment, the Warriors number 10 is fully expecting to catch up with his international team-mate.

It's very much a case of business first, though, with the sold-out glamour game representing a big step up, even from the win at Sale on matchday one.

"Yeah, massive," Hastings agreed.

"Obviously they've won the tournament a number of times now and they're at a great level obviously. Dupont's back fit now, they were missing him so it should be exciting.

"You want to test yourself against the best teams and really see where you're at so everyone's pretty excited.

"He's one of the best players in the world, so it'll be exciting for us and something we need to focus on, but they've got a lot of quality across that team in pretty much every position.

"We'll spend a bit of time previewing them this week but a lot of the focus will be on ourselves and what we can do to nullify their threats."

As well as the challenge of facing Dupont, Hastings is looking forward to seeing Kinghorn again, as well as potentially getting one over on him to deliver a seismic result for the Glasgow side against a team they haven't faced for over a decade.

"We've not had any comms this week so I'll give him a ring later on and see what time he gets here and what hotel they're staying at," the 29-year-old added.

"I don't know when the last time Glasgow played Toulouse would have been but I think, definitely, it would be one of the biggest scalps we could take."

Grant Young
Fan writer

European road victory are always sweet.

After the humiliating loss to Scarlets, Glasgow bounced back in style by taking down English Premiership side Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup opener.

A near fully new starting line-up and the return of many of Glasgow's top stars delivered. A decisive second-half onslaught took the Warriors, with the weather on their side, to victory.

It's tough to single out the top performers. A statement Stafford McDowall performance in his 100th game for the club. Josh McKay a deserved player of the game. The return of Zander Fagerson, the extra metres Jack Dempsey makes in collision. Captain fantastic Kyle Steyn.

The players coming back from international duties not only stepped up but showed those waiting in the wings the standards required to displace them.

There is still room to improve. Both nines made a few kicking mistakes and that should drive them to be better.

There are so many games over the festive period and it will be curious what line-up we see this weekend against Toulouse before the 1872 Cup clash.

The French giants can call upon Thomas Ramos, Ange Capuozzo, and the most dynamic nine in the history of rugby, Antoine Dupont. An exciting game for Glasgow who should believe that at home anything is possible.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

It's possible the win against Toulon was Edinburgh's best ever under the watch of Sean Everitt.

Such things are highly subjective so it's hard to be certain but given the quality of the opposition I'd have to put it right up there.

I'd had some pre-match worries around the composition of our backline and the quality of the opposition and after seven minutes those doubts were building.

My fears were entirely unfounded however and after the first 20 minutes we kept one of the giants of French rugby tryless for the remainder of the game.

Our forwards scrummed down 19 times, which is more than they have in any other game this season, and seven of Edinburgh's starting forwards were in the top 10 for tackles. Liam McConnell, a deserved man of the match, topped the chart with 20.

Despite the conditions the team as a whole were highly disciplined. They only gave away three penalties, which was the least of any side in the Champions Cup over the weekend.

It wasn't a game for fancy back moves but the last-minute centre partnership of James Lang and Wes Goosen did well and an assured, confident and inventive display at 10 from Cammy Scott should surely see him leading the way for the foreseeable future. Ben Vellacott, who had seemed a bit off it last week, was also excellent.

It needs to be said this should have been a bit easier. Matthew Carley firstly ruled out Darcy Graham's try for a highly debatable knock on. Clear and obvious? Hardly.

Secondly, David Ribbans' yellow card could have easily been a red. However, perhaps the most egregious decision or lack thereof was failing to give a yellow card following the penalty try.

Boan Venter's introduction was key to that score and his late try which secured the bonus point was the icing on the cake.

We have now played Toulon three times and beaten them three times. Is it time to claim we are their bogey team?

We return to Castres this weekend and our record against them is played eight, won seven, so we should travel with confidence.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Got any burning questions on Scottish rugby after two excellent wins for Edinburgh and Glasgow in the Champions Cup?

Send in your questions to Tom English and Andy Burke via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.