“We looked more like ourselves today” | Wilson

That’s according to Head Coach Danny Wilson, following his side’s 10-7 defeat in the capital in their first match of 2021. Despite the result, however, the Glasgow boss saw plenty of reasons to be optimistic under the BT Murrayfield floodlights.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose, but I thought we looked a bit more like ourselves today,” said Wilson.

“We were adventurous and tried to play some rugby by moving the ball, and we caused Edinburgh problems. It was a game that came down to fine margins and we were on the wrong end of those margins in the end.

“Our discipline again wasn’t good enough for me, but I’ve got to give credit to our defence tonight. You’ve got to remember that’s a pretty much fully loaded Edinburgh side that went out there today, and they’re a dangerous team. Our defensive effort was excellent today.”

The returning figure of Richie Gray turned in an inspired performance in the opening match of this season’s 1872 Cup, with the 2013 British and Irish Lion stealing four of Edinburgh’s lineouts in an all-action display in the engine room.

It was a sight that pleased not only the Warrior Nation but Wilson himself, who also praised two of the younger members of his squad for their efforts off the bench.

“Richie was immense,” enthused Wilson.

“It’s obviously been a while since we’ve seen him in a Glasgow jersey, and he showed exactly why we signed him. He was excellent in the lineout, and that was a facet of the game we dominated today.

“It was also great to see a couple of young guys get their opportunity today, too – both George Thornton and Ross Thompson showed up well when they came on and they took their chance well.”

The two sides will meet again in just six days’ time in the second 1872 Cup clash of the season, as Wilson and his men welcome their Edinburgh counterparts to Scotstoun on Friday night.

“Discipline again is the main area for improvement this week,” explained Wilson.

“We can’t be handing Edinburgh field position and opportunities like we did today. We still want to play rugby and fire our shots, though, and I thought we looked more like ourselves today.

“It’s a home
game next week, and we’ll hopefully have a few more boys back available to us
again. Both of those things will give us a boost, and we’ll look to transform an
improved performance into the right result next weekend.”