Benetton vs Edinburgh Sat 2nd Nov

by EWT Spoons Thu 31 Oct 2019, 12:54 pm

Benetton Rugby v Edinburgh
Saturday 2nd November
Stadio Monigo

KO 17.15 (UK time)
Live on Premier Sport

Benetton - Not had the best of starts to the season, but got a narrow win last time out against the kings. Expected to have most, if not all, their internationals back for this game, which should see them improve significantly.

Edinburgh - Decent start to the season (excluding the Leinster game), some more of Edinburgh's internationals may be back, but expectation is the team that played against Scarlets may be the same team out this weekend.

by **RDW** Fri 01 Nov 2019, 8:44 am

Top thread as always Spoons!

it would be amazing if we win this one. Dragons at home next week with all our Scotland players back should be a BP win, meaning we can go all guns blazing to Munster and have a real crack at them. European games allows us a chance to do a bit of rotating then we have the easy 1872 games and before you know it we're unbeaten up to 2019!

Must have been something in my coffee this morning...

by EWT Spoons Fri 01 Nov 2019, 9:07 am

Cheers, I really put my heart and soul into these threads. Especially this one, I knew all the Benetton fans we have on these boards would be desperate to put their thoughts about this game across, if only they had somewhere to do it!!

I think you might be getting carried away about Edinburgh's chances over the next few games, but loving the enthusiasm.

by **RDW** Fri 01 Nov 2019, 12:14 pm

As expected no new Scotland players back, but Mata is on the bench.

He is a changed man this year - he has benched Schoeman! Good for Bhattie to get a start. VDM has been rested by the look of things which is a strange call.

Not sure this team is strong enough to win in Italy but hopefully they prove me wrong.

Edinburgh make five changes to their starting XV for tomorrow’s Conference B clash against Benetton at Stadio di Monigo (Saturday 2 November, kick-off 5.15pm GMT) – live on Premier Sports.

Scotland internationalists Jamie Bhatti, Lewis Carmichael, Magnus Bradbury and Damien Hoyland all start, while last season’s Golden Boot winner Jaco van der Walt returns at stand-off.

Fijian international back-row, Viliame Mata, is named among the replacements for the first time this season following the Rugby World Cup, as scrum-half Nic Groom returns to the bench after missing last weekend’s win over Scarlets due to the birth of his child.

Ahead of the fixture, Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “We were really pleased with our all-round performance against Scarlets last weekend and the players come into this fixture with plenty of confidence and a bit of momentum.

“We continue to build and develop our playing style as a team and this weekend’s match will be another massive test. Benetton are a really combative outfit who are always strong at home.

“We make a number of changes to the starting line-up, but we have plenty of faith in the guys who come in and we possess more than enough quality across the board to come away from Treviso with a positive result.”

Scotland star Blair Kinghorn is once again named at fullback as wingers Eroni Sau – a try-scorer on his debut last weekend – and Hoyland get the nod on the flanks.

Centre Mark Bennett – who has five tries in the competition so far this season – continues in midfield alongside Matt Scott, while scrum-half Henry Pyrgos – who skippers the side – is paired with Van der Walt at half-back.

The inclusion of Bhatti at loosehead prop is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged front-row as hooker Mike Willemse – twice a try-scorer in the win over Scarlets – and Italian international Pietro Ceccarelli keep their place up-front.

Club centurion Fraser McKenzie is partnered in the second-row by Carmichael, with the Scotland lock once again fit after missing rounds three and four through injury.

No. 8, Bradbury – who makes his first start of the season - anchors a back-row that sees Ally Miller and Luke Crosbie named at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton at Stadio di Monigo in the Guinness PRO14
Saturday 2 November (kick-off 5.15pm GMT) – live on Premier Sports

15. Blair Kinghorn (78)

14. Eroni Sau (1)

13. Mark Bennett (24)

12. Matt Scott (85)

11. Damien Hoyland (66)

10. Jaco van der Walt (43)

9. Henry Pyrgos (25) CAPTAIN

1. Jamie Bhatti (4)

2. Mike Willemse (4)

3. Pietro Ceccarelli (14)

4. Fraser McKenzie (116)

5. Lewis Carmichael (35)

6. Ally Miller (12)

7. Luke Crosbie (30)

8. Magnus Bradbury (66)

Replacements: 16. David Cherry (17) 17. Pierre Schoeman (27) 18. Murray McCallum (53) 19. Sam Thomson (2) 20. Viliame Mata (60) 21. Nic Groom (3) 22. Simon Hickey (22) 23. George Taylor (8)

Players unavailable due to injury: Murray Douglas, Charlie Shiel, Nick Haining, Darryl Marfo, Hamish Watson, Chris Dean, Ruan Steenkamp

by EWT Spoons Fri 01 Nov 2019, 12:55 pm

I think this team should have enough about it. The only changes that potentially weaken the team are Bhatti for Shoeman and Hoyland in for VDM, but the incoming players are still of a high calibre and don’t weaken the team significantly.

Delighted that Carmichael is back as well, mostly for his sake, as he was out for a long time and was in good form prior to the multiple injuries he picked up.

by **RDW** Fri 01 Nov 2019, 12:59 pm

I actually think the hype about Schoeman has been a bit much (shock horror!). He actually makes very little ground in any of his carries if you watch him closely, especially for such a big man. That's probably part of the problem - he's too big!

There's no doubt he in an absolute rock in the scrum though and is very physical about the pitch.

VDM to Hoyland is a huge step down though!

by **BigGee** Fri 01 Nov 2019, 2:36 pm

I like the look of the bench. A fresh looking Mata coming on with 20 mins to go is not going to please many teams!

Edinburgh have the chance to use him a bit more sparingly and not grind him into the ground like last season, this time around. which will only be a good thing.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:24 pm

Edinburgh looking a bit sluggish so far

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:35 pm

Edinburgh go coast to coast

10 all

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:35 pm

Bennett looking good again. Pray he doesn't get injured!

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:36 pm

What a try!

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:37 pm

Restarts seem to be a problem for edinburgh today

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:38 pm

This is going to be a proper roll the sleeves up performance

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:39 pm

Credit where it's due, treviso have played some cracking rugby, they've made it a tough contest so far

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:42 pm

Pyrgos is making laidlaw look like george horne

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:43 pm

If Edinburgh can grind one out here, it will be a decent result

Benetton look a much better team with their international players back

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:44 pm

Mark Bennett had to stretch the legs there

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:46 pm

He's been the pick of edinburgh so far. Willemse has looked good in the loose too. Scott is having a decent game. All a bit error prone though! Horrible night for it mind

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:54 pm

bhatti

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:56 pm

What are they even looking at here.

Never a yellow!

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:59 pm

Almost better giving away the try here - don't want a yellow.

That Irish commontator needs to wind his neck in

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:59 pm

Not a good end to half from Edinburgh, a try and a card

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 5:59 pm

Luckily Allen makes a Horlicks of the kick

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:00 pm

I must admit I've not been impressed with the consistency of this ref. That also should have been a penalty try and I say that as someone supporting edinburgh.

The earlier treviso clearout also should have been a yellow. That was very stupid play from bhatti but could be argued either way. I think a yellow is fair as treviso were in the red zone.

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:02 pm

I think that was knocked on

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:05 pm

Definitely knocked on. Shame as that kick and catch was a beauty.

Pyrgos has to go off he's single handedly slowing down the edinburgh breakdown

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:06 pm

This is like the old Edinburgh, going nowhere fast

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:09 pm

What's happened to sheil this season? He seemed to be making progress last season but haven't seen an appearance this season? He can't be worse than HP.

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:11 pm

It's running down the sin bin period at the very least

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:11 pm

Take the three points and get into the shed, at. least they have run down the YC

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:12 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:What's happened to sheil this season? He seemed to be making progress but haven't seen an appearance? He can't be worse than HP.

He has benched for the last few games, injured this week

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:13 pm

Not a bad first half all things considered. We're right in it with Mata to come off the bench!

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:14 pm

Edinburgh have got a few players on the bench who might make a difference, Groom and Mata in particular

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:14 pm

Well bennetton admittedly have looked good but Edinburgh have, bar Scott and Bennett, looked ponderous at best. I think Groom and Hickey on for the 2nd half, they may have a point to prove after being benched.

To be fair the ball retention was excellent in that last 8 minutes. They should look for more territory second half and not balls up the restarts.

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:28 pm

Schoeman stays on, Bhatti has not really done much with his opportunity

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:29 pm

VDW bangs over the penalty

Edinburgh take the lead 16-15

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:30 pm

Right decision. Only contribution has been a stupid penalty that lead to a try.

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:30 pm

Didn't think Bhatti would make a return.

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:32 pm

I think subs will be important here - get groom and Mata on early.

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:34 pm

Absolute nonsense of a decision

That's embarrassing

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:35 pm

Mata is on, not sure who he has replaced

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:36 pm

Awful box kick from Pyrgos. Get him off!

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:36 pm

I don't know what it'll take to get pyrgos hooked. He was at the back of a completely cleared ruck for a good 30 seconds while benetton lined up and read what he was going to do. Maybe his pace is in cockers comfort zone!

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:36 pm

Mata on for Millar

That is a double carrying threat for Edinburgh now

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:40 pm

Seriously who is this Irish co commentators? He really doesn't like Edinburgh!

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:41 pm

Really could do with sorting the lineout out

by **RDW** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:43 pm

What the hell was Sau doing?!

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:44 pm

High tackle penalty for Benetton

18-16 Benetton

by **BigGee** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:46 pm

Willemse been hooked as well, a few lineouts gone astray

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 02 Nov 2019, 6:46 pm

The commentator does seem to have several chips on his shoulder. I can imagine he'd be one of those players who starts a fight after the final whistle has blown because "the other team are tw*ts".

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