Edinburgh lose to Leinster in URC season opener

Edinburgh returned to Hive Stadium, for their first game of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season. 

Last year can only be described as a disappointment for Sean Eviritt’s squad. After a heartbreaking loss to Benetton in Treviso that saw the team miss the play-offs for the 2nd season in a row, and in turn, a place in this season’s Champions Cup. Coupled with their biggest rivals, Glasgow Warriors, taking home the league championship trophy. 

However, the side performed better than the table might suggest, competing well in almost every match. The team seemed to fall short too often at the last hurdle – far from ideal for a side filled with Scottish and international talent. 

After a victory in their only pre-season game, and several new signings the side certainly had a right to at least feel optimistic, with a play-off place and a run in the Challenge Cup, perhaps, realistic targets to aim for. 

Moises Tuipulotu is a particularly exciting new addition, the brother of Sione, from the New South Wales Waratahs. The back looks certain to star for the capital side this year. The return of Darcy Graham to the capital, after a hamstring injury is an added bonus for the Edinburgh side (and Scotland).

Pierre Schoeman opened the scoring in the 11th minute, struggling past the Leinster defence, finally breaking through after a seemingly never-ending passage of play. 

However, the mood was quickly dampened 4 minutes later, when Tommy O’Brien found Sam Pendergast’s pass on the left-hand side of the field, slicing through a disoriented-looking Edinburgh defence. A missed conversion kick provided some consolation for the home side. 

Halfway through the first half, Ali Price’s kick cost Edinburgh’s fragile lead.  Travelling high and short, debutant Charlie Tector pinched the ball in the air and weaved through to find 5 points. This time the try was converted as Leinster led for the first time on the night.

Five minutes before half-time, Duhan van der Merwe levelled the game in a try reminiscent of last season’s best performances, a team effort with a quick build-up of passes before the winger scored on the right-hand corner. Ross Thompson’s failed to convert this – keeping the score at 12-12. 

Leinster seemed certain to be heading into the break with a lead, the ball inches from the try line, but an impressive defensive play from Edinburgh saw the ball grabbed by Jamie Ritchie and kicked away by Thompson to end the first half with the score tied. 

After the break Edinburgh started well. A line-out leading to a maul with almost the entire squad powering across the line. Dave Cherry took credit for the try and Thompson kicked his second conversion of the night. Similarly to the first half, the Dublin side struck back almost immediately with Jordan Lamour catching a pass out wide to even the score again. 

Leinster secured a bonus point and took the lead with their fourth try of the night. Jamison Gibson-Park slipping through just right of the goal posts. The Dublin side then scored again, with Leinster captain Jack Conan claiming the points amid a contentious maul. Prendergast’s conversion had the Irish Shield holders up by 14 points with 20 minutes left to play. 

Duhan van der Merwe scored in the 66th minute on the far left-hand side of the pitch, to secure at least a bonus point for Sean Eviritt’s side, but the missed conversion meant the Gunners had to find 10 points to even tie the scoreline. 

Towards the end of the game, Edinburgh seemed in a desperate panic. Ben Healy even attempted a 3-point penalty from the halfway line to cut the deficit, but the attempt was miles away and wasted a good attacking opportunity. 

The home side composed themselves enough to score a final try in overtime to end the match, securing a second bonus point. 

A disappointing result in the end, reminiscent of last season’s matches, Sean Evirtt’s side started well. But, by the end of the game, the team looked tired and panicked. 2 points are always welcome, but for the side to succeed this season they will have to tighten up their defence. Scoring tries has never been the issue for Edinburgh, but maintaining a lead once gained is something that the team will have to work on.