Edinburgh Rugby

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Edinburgh Rugby
Edinburgh Rugby logo.jpg
Full name Edinburgh Rugby
Nickname(s) Gunners
Founded 1996[1]
Location Edinburgh, Scotland
Ground(s) Murrayfield Stadium [2] (Capacity: 67,130)
Chairman Scotland Jim Calder [3]
CEO Scotland Craig Docherty [4]
Coach(es) Ireland Michael Bradley
Captain(s) Scotland Greig Laidlaw
Most caps Scotland Andrew Kelly(125)
Top scorer Scotland Chris Paterson (773)
Most tries Netherlands Tim Visser (29)
2010–11 8th
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.edinburghrugby.org

Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners) is one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 League along with Glasgow Warriors, their oldest rivals. Edinburgh currently play their home games at Murrayfield Stadium.

The original Edinburgh district team played the first ever inter-district match against Glasgow in 1872, winning the match 3–0.[5][6] The team was reformed in 1996 to compete in the Heineken Cup, their best performance coming in the 2003/04 tournament where they became the first Scottish side to reach the quarter-finals.[7][8][9]

Contents

[edit] History

Edinburgh District played in the world's first ever inter-district match against Glasgow in 1872.[5][6]

[edit] Professional Era changes & Establishment: 1996

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With the game turning professional in 1995 the Scottish Rugby Union did not believe that Scottish club sides could compete against the best teams from France and England. They therefore decided that the four district teams were to be Scotland's vehicle for professional rugby and in 1996 the Edinburgh District team was reformed as Edinburgh Rugby to compete in the Heineken Cup. Due to the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield Stadium, retrenchment was called for and the four professional sides were reduced to two. After two seasons, Edinburgh were merged with the Border Reivers to form a team known as Edinburgh Reivers.

For the 1999 and 2000 seasons the Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union joined forces, with the expansion of the Welsh Premier Division to include Edinburgh Reivers and Glasgow Caledonians under the name Welsh-Scottish League. However further change was imminent and in 2001 an agreement was made between the Irish Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union to create a new competition which would bring in the four Irish provinces. 2001 would see the very first incarnation of the Celtic League. In that inaugural season Edinburgh finished in sixth place in the league.

The following season, to coincide with the re-establishment of the Border Reivers, a Scottish League competition modelled on the Tri-Nations was introduced alongside the Celtic League, however this only survived for one season, Edinburgh becoming the only champions.

Following the reduction of Scotland's professional structure to two sides a rebranding took place. Edinburgh Reivers were simply titled 'Edinburgh Rugby' with the Glasgow Caledonians undergoing a similar renaming process as part of a "major revamp"[10] of the professional structure in Scotland.

In the 2003/2004 season the team found some success as they reached the inaugural Celtic Cup final – beating Cardiff Blues and Connacht en route in the quarter-finals[11] and semi-finals[12] respectively. The team's good run came to an end in final, however, with 21–27 loss to Ulster at Murrayfield. David Humphreys kicked 17 points in the match to earn the Irish province the trophy[13]

For the 2005/2006 season, Edinburgh found themselves looking for a new coach following the departure of Frank Hadden to coach Scotland.[14] Sean Lineen, then Glasgow Warriors assistant coach, was linked with the post[15] before Todd Blackadder acquired the position for the season[16] after a spell as interim coach.[17] During the same season the team nickname was incorporated into the official name, making them the Edinburgh Gunners. The term Gunners was dropped on 29 September 2006, after the club had become Scottish rugby's first private franchise during the summer, and the team reverted back to being known as just Edinburgh Rugby. One of the reasons for this reversion being that the word Gunners was already a registered Trademark of Arsenal Football Club.[6] Another being that the new owners wanted to rebrand the team in order to help provide a fresh new look, and to further aid this a new club logo was also introduced.

[edit] Private Ownership: 2006–2007

Logo for 2006-07 Celtic League season

[edit] Scotland's first private franchise: 2006

In 2006, it was announced that from the end of the 2005/6 season, Edinburgh would become a franchise. Finance was to come from a private company headed by businessmen Alex and Bob Carruthers.[18] This was thought to be a saving grace for Border Reivers. The team were thought to be favourites to be scrapped after the Scottish Rugby Union had warned that funding problems could force it to scrap one of its Celtic League sides.[19] The SRU were to retain a seat on the new company board and continue to provide funding and support to the new owners in development.[18] Following the departure of Todd Blackadder to join the Crusaders coaching setup in the Super 14, Lynn Howells was appointed as head coach by new executive chairman Alex Carruthers.[20]

[edit] Funding dispute & return to SRU: 2007

In July 2007, a dispute arose between the Scottish Rugby Union and the owners of the newly-franchised Edinburgh team. According to owner Bob Carruthers the SRU owed Edinburgh a six-figure sum which had not been paid. Carruthers also claimed that SRU had threatened to pull the plug on funding should Edinburgh continue with legal action relating to the sum.[21] In the midst of the dispute Alex Carruthers resigned along with then Managing Director Graeme Stirling.[22] The dispute caused much disruption in Scottish rugby at the time, leading to the temporary withdrawal of 12 players from the Scotland squad training for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This included leading players such as Chris Paterson and Mike Blair[22]

The dispute escalated when on 9 July 2007 Edinburgh revoked their associate membership of the SRU.[23] This led to doubts over whether Edinburgh could fulfill fixtures in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup and whether Edinburgh players were insured for playing at club level. The resignation was withdrawn on 12 July, with Bob Carruthers asking to "talk directly to someone" and insisting the proposed signing of Australia stand-off Stephen Larkham would go ahead.[24] Despite this, the dispute continued, with both sides initiating legal action against the other.[25][26] The situation was resolved in August 2007 with the termination of the franchise agreement and the return of Edinburgh to the direct control of the SRU.[27]

[edit] Under Andy Robinson: 2007 to 2009

Edinburgh playing against Munster at Murrayfield Stadium in the 2007-08 Celtic League

Following the return to SRU control the club coach Lynn Howells was dismissed. SRU head of player development was appointed interim coach and Nic Cartwright appointed Chief Executive.[27] Former British and Irish Lions captain Gavin Hastings was subsequently appointed Chairman[28] stating his "desire and passion to see this game and this club grow". The proposed signing of Stephen Larkham fell through after the SRU were unable to honour the terms of the agreement.[29] This was viewed as a disappointment at the time as the signing was considered a coup for the beleaguered SRU when the signing was initially announced.[30]

Following an application process[31] it was announced on 1 October 2007 that Andy Robinson, the former England head coach, would become the club's new head coach.[32] Edinburgh showed progress under Robinson, performing well at home in the Heineken Cup posting wins against Leinster[33] and Leicester Tigers[34] and a narrow loss to Toulouse, earning a bonus point.[35] Following disappointing performances by Scotland in the 6 Nations, and Robinson co-coaching Scotland A,[36] there were rumours of Robinson taking a post within the Scotland set-up after helping Edinburgh to climb to 3rd in the Celtic League.[37][38] This progress, however, was counter-pointed by some disappointing results including being shutout by Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield [39] and losing the 1872 Challenge Cup on aggregate to rivals Glasgow Warriors.[40]

On 26 December 2008 the a new home record attendance of 12,534 was set against Glasgow Warriors.[41] In the 2008/2009 season Edinburgh reached their highest position finishing in second place behind Munster.

Andy Robinson left in 2009 to take up the position of head coach of the Scottish national side. Rob Moffat took over at Edinburgh. Michael Bradley is the new manager for 2011/12.

[edit] Under Michael Bradley: 2011 onwards

Michael Bradley took over in the summer of 2011. He previously had been in charge of Connacht Rugby and Ireland A.

While domestically the season has not really taken off, the 2011/2012 Heineken Cup campaign has proven to be the most successful in the clubs history by topping Pool 2. Along the way, competing in the remarkable 48-47 match against Racing Metro[42] and setting up a quarter final against French rugby giants Stade Toulousain by scoring 4 tries against London Irish.

2011 saw the introduction of numerous youngster into the squad this season, which makes the results even more astonishing. Début seasons for regular starters Matt Scott and Grant Gilchrist as well as 19 year old Harry Leonard. And first full season for back row pair Stuart McInally and David Denton.

[edit] Squad 2011/2012

Hookers
Scotland Ross Ford
Scotland Andrew Kelly
Scotland Steven Lawrie

Props
Scotland Geoff Cross
Scotland Jack Gilding
Scotland Allan Jacobsen
Scotland Lewis Niven
Scotland Kyle Traynor

Locks
England Sean Cox
Argentina Esteban Lozada
Scotland Steven Turnbull

  

Loose Forwards
Scotland David Denton
Scotland Roddy Grant
Scotland Alan MacDonald
Scotland Stuart McInally
Scotland Ross Rennie
Fiji Netani Talei

Half Backs
Scotland Mike Blair
Scotland Phil Godman
Scotland Greig Laidlaw (C)
England Chris Leck
Scotland Harry Leonard

  

Centres
Scotland Ben Cairns
Scotland Nick De Luca
Scotland John Houston
Scotland James King
Scotland Matt Scott

Back Three
Scotland Tom Brown
Scotland Lee Jones
Scotland Chris Paterson
Scotland Jim Thompson
Scotland Simon Webster
Netherlands Sep Visser
Netherlands Tim Visser

[43]

[edit] Elite Development Players

Forwards
Scotland George Turner - Hooker
Scotland Alun Walker - Hooker
Scotland Robin Hislop - Prop
Scotland Colin Phillips - Prop
Scotland Grant Gilchrist - Lock

  

Backs
Scotland Alex Black - Scrum Half
Scotland Gregor Hunter - Stand-off
Scotland Jamie Farndale - Wing
Scotland Dougie Fife - Wing

[edit] Sevens Players

Forwards
Scotland Struan Dewar
Scotland Hamish Watson

  

Backs
Scotland James Fleming
Scotland Kerr Gossman
Scotland Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
Scotland Mark Robertson
Scotland Andrew Turnbull

[edit] Transfers 2011/2012

[edit] Players in

[edit] Players out

[edit] Former players and present and past coaches

[edit] Notable former players

[edit] Coaches

[edit] Statistics

[edit] Heineken Cup

Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
1996/1997 Pools 4 0 4 0 [51]
1998/1999 Pools 6 2 3 1 [52]
1999/2000 Pools 6 3 3 0 [53]
2000/2001 Pools 6 3 2 1 [54]
2001/2002 Pools 6 1 4 1 [55]
2002/2003 Pools 6 2 4 0 [56]
2003/2004 QFs 7 5 2 0 [57]
2004/2005 Pools 6 1 5 0 [58]
2005/2006 Pools 6 2 4 0 [59]
2006/2007 Pools 6 1 5 0 [60]
2007/2008 Pools 6 2 4 0 [61]
2008/2009 Pools 6 2 4 0 [62]
2009/2010 Pools 6 3 3 0 [63]
2010/2011 Pools 6 1 5 0 [64]

[edit] European Challenge Cup

Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
1997/1998 Pools 6 2 4 0 [65]

[edit] Celtic League

Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2001–02 Pools 6 2 4 0
2002–03 QFs 8 6 2 0
2003–04 10th 22 9 13 0
2004–05 7th 20 9 11 0
2005–06 5th 20 11 9 0
2006–07 8th 20 8 11 1
2007–08 4th 18 9 6 3
2008–09 2nd 18 11 7 0
2009–10 6th 18 8 10 0
2010–11 8th 22 8 13 0

[edit] Scottish League

Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2002–03 1st 8 5 2 1

[edit] Welsh/Scottish League

Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
1999–2000 8th 22 10 11 1
2000–01 8th 22 11 11 0
2001–02 6th 20 10 8 2

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ The original Edinburgh district side dates to 1872
  2. ^ The ground is nicknamed "The Castle" for Edinburgh matches
  3. ^ "Grand Slam hero Jim Calder appointed Chairman". EdinburghRugby.org. 30 August 2010. http://www.edinburghrugby.org/content/view/3137/2/. 
  4. ^ "New CEO Craig Docherty vows to continue growth". EdinburghRugby.org. 9 August 2010. http://www.edinburghrugby.org/content/view/3102/87/. 
  5. ^ a b Edinburgh Rugby Club Facts – Visit Scotland, http://rugby.visitscotland.com/professional/edinburghfacts.aspx, Retrieved: 6 April 2008
  6. ^ a b c BBC Sport – Edinburgh drop Gunners from title, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/5392284.stm, Retrieved: 6 April 2008
  7. ^ http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/13_5538.php?section=4, Retrieved: 6 April 2008
  8. ^ "Edinburgh 33–15 Ospreys". BBC News. 23 January 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3419321.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  9. ^ "Edinburgh aim for European repeat". BBC News. 17 October 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3744022.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  10. ^ "Scots drop 'Reivers' and 'Caledonians'". BBC News. 8 August 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/1478016.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  11. ^ "Edinburgh blast Blues aside". BBC News. 4 October 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3164584.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  12. ^ "Edinburgh prove too good". BBC News. 15 November 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3264587.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  13. ^ "Ulster hold on for victory". BBC News. 20 December 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/3324669.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  14. ^ "Scotland appoint Hadden as coach". BBC News. 15 September 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4249150.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  15. ^ "Lineen flattered by capital link". BBC News. 21 September 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4269620.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  16. ^ "Blackadder to leave in the summer". BBC News. 30 September 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/4294994.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  17. ^ "Hogg gets Gloucester coaching job". BBC News. 18 May 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/4994522.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  18. ^ a b "Edinburgh to become a franchise". BBC News. 10 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/5164916.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  19. ^ "No SRU axe as yet for the Borders". BBC News. 16 January 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/4179723.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  20. ^ "Edinburgh name Howells new coach". BBC News. 5 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/5316066.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  21. ^ "Edinburgh face SRU closure threat". BBC News. 5 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6273308.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  22. ^ a b "Edinburgh chairman resigns in row". BBC News. 5 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6271272.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  23. ^ "Edinburgh resign from Scots Union". BBC News. 9 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6283728.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  24. ^ "Edinburgh rejoin Scottish Union". BBC News. 12 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6896350.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  25. ^ "SRU seeks legal advice on funding". BBC News. 3 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6927461.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  26. ^ "Edinburgh dispute heads for court". BBC News. 17 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6903293.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  27. ^ a b "Edinburgh back in union control". BBC News. 10 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6940188.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  28. ^ "Hastings takes post at Edinburgh". BBC News. 30 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6971298.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  29. ^ "Larkham's Edinburgh deal scrapped". BBC News. 7 September 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6975426.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  30. ^ "Edinburgh clinch Larkham signing". BBC News. 14 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6654723.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  31. ^ "Coach applications delight SRU". BBC News. 17 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6952487.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  32. ^ "Robinson named coach of Edinburgh". BBC News. 1 October 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7021948.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  33. ^ "Edinburgh 29–10 Leinster". BBC News. 15 December 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7138900.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  34. ^ "Edinburgh 17–12 Leicester". BBC News. 12 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7179003.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  35. ^ "Edinburgh 15–19 Toulouse". BBC News. 10 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7083024.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  36. ^ "Club coaches to lead Scotland A". BBC News. 19 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/7102268.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  37. ^ "Robinson content with Edinburgh". BBC News. 12 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7241160.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  38. ^ "Edinburgh 35–31 Glasgow". BBC News. 28 December 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/7159324.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  39. ^ "Edinburgh 0–20 Blues". BBC News. 28 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7313340.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  40. ^ "Glasgow 23–14 Edinburgh". BBC News. 11 April 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/glasgow/7336577.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  41. ^ http://www.magnersleague.com/570_2970.php
  42. ^ http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/15151.php
  43. ^ http://www.edinburghrugby.org/content/section/5/86/
  44. ^ "Edinburgh re-sign hooker Lawrie". BBC News. 21 June 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/13858938.stm. 
  45. ^ http://www.scotsman.com/edinburghrugby/Currie-flyhalf-Matt-Scott-joins.6756079.jp
  46. ^ "Edinburgh sign up duo from Sale". BBC News. 27 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13573222.stm. 
  47. ^ "Edinburgh sign up duo from Sale". BBC News. 27 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13573222.stm. 
  48. ^ "Sale sign Edinburgh lock McKenzie". BBC News. 14 April 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13079168.stm. 
  49. ^ "Edinburgh's MacLeod set for Japan". BBC News. 28 March 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/9438823.stm. 
  50. ^ "Edinburgh's Blair decides to quit". BBC News. 7 April 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13008425.stm. 
  51. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1996/7
  52. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1998/9
  53. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1999/2000
  54. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2000/1
  55. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2001/2
  56. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2002/3
  57. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2003/4
  58. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2004/5
  59. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2005/6
  60. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2006/7
  61. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Cup Tables
  62. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Heineken Cup 2008/9
  63. ^ "Heineken Cup tables". BBC News. 9 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4776687.stm. 
  64. ^ "Heineken Cup tables". BBC News. 9 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4776687.stm. 
  65. ^ "European Challenge Cup 1997/8". BBC News. 13 April 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3620439.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 

[edit] External links
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