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Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners) is one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland competing in the Celtic League along with Glasgow Warriors, their oldest rivals. Edinburgh currently play their home games at Murrayfield Stadium, although the stadium has been rebranded "Murrayfield Castle" (shortened to "The Castle") for Edinburgh matches since the 2007/08 season[4].
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 were 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]
[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
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 4 professional sides were reduced to 2. 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 achieved the highest finish by a Scottish side in the competition, finishing sixth.
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
[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 July 9th, 2007 Edinburgh revoked their associate membership of the SRU[23]. This led to doubts over whether Edinburgh could fulfill fixtures in the Magners League and Heineken Cup and whether Edinburgh players were insured for playing at club level. The resignation was withdrawn on July 12th, 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 present
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 October 1st, 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 Magners 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]
[edit] Players & Coaches of note
[edit] Current squad
Squad list taken from official club site[41] (registration required).
[42]
[edit] Notable Former Players
[edit] Coaches
[edit] Magners League 2006/2007
[edit] Results
| Date |
Home Team |
Score |
Away Team |
Score |
Venue |
Match Report |
| Sep 2, 2006 |
Ospreys |
17 |
Edinburgh |
11 |
Liberty Stadium |
[1] |
| Sep 8, 2006 |
Edinburgh |
20 |
Leinster |
14 |
Murrayfield |
[2] |
| Sep 15, 2006 |
Edinburgh |
20 |
Ulster |
15 |
Murrayfield |
[3] |
| Sep 22, 2006 |
Connacht |
22 |
Edinburgh |
22 |
Galway Sportsground |
[4] |
| Sep 29, 2006 |
Edinburgh |
14 |
Glasgow Warriors |
9 |
Murrayfield |
[5] |
| Oct 13, 2006 |
Munster |
10 |
Edinburgh |
21 |
Thomond Park |
[6] |
| Nov 3, 2006 |
Edinburgh |
13 |
Cardiff Blues |
23 |
Murrayfield |
[7] |
| Nov 10, 2006 |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
17 |
Edinburgh |
10 |
Rodney Parade |
[8] |
| Dec 1, 2006 |
Edinburgh |
17 |
Border Reivers |
3 |
Murrayfield |
[9] |
| Dec 22, 2006 |
Glasgow Warriors |
34 |
Edinburgh |
27 |
Hughenden |
[10] |
| Jan 5, 2007 |
Edinburgh |
24 |
Llanelli Scarlets |
14 |
Murrayfield |
[11] |
| Jan 26, 2007 |
Edinburgh |
49 |
Connacht |
31 |
Murrayfield |
[12] |
| Feb 16, 2007 |
Leinster |
13 |
Edinburgh |
6 |
Donnybrook |
[13] |
| Mar 2, 2007 |
Edinburgh |
12 |
Ospreys |
30 |
Murrayfield |
[14] |
| Mar 23, 2007 |
Border Reivers |
10 |
Edinburgh |
3 |
Netherdale |
[15] |
| Apr 6, 2007 |
Edinburgh |
30 |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
20 |
Murrayfield |
[16] |
| Apr 14, 2007 |
Cardiff Blues |
48 |
Edinburgh |
0 |
Cardiff Arms Park |
[17] |
| Apr 29, 2007 |
Llanelli Scarlets |
42 |
Edinburgh |
17 |
Stradey Park |
[18] |
| May 4, 2007 |
Edinburgh |
9 |
Munster |
35 |
Murrayfield |
[19] |
| May 11, 2007 |
Ulster |
16 |
Edinburgh |
10 |
Ravenhill |
[20] |
[edit] Final Table
[edit] Heineken Cup 2006/2007
Edinburgh were drawn in Pool 2 along with fellow Celtic League side Leinster, French side SU Agen and English side Gloucester. Leinster advanced to the quarter finals as pool winners.
[edit] Results
[edit] Final Pool Table
-
Key to colours
| |
Winner of each pool, plus two highest-ranked second-place teams,
advance to quarterfinals |
-
| Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
TF |
PF |
PA |
+/- |
BP |
Pts |
| Leinster |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
174 |
97 |
+77 |
5 |
21 |
| SU Agen |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
12 |
119 |
119 |
0 |
1 |
17 |
| Gloucester |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
19 |
152 |
144 |
+8 |
3 |
15 |
| Edinburgh |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
9 |
95 |
180 |
-85 |
1 |
5 |
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Heineken Cup
| Season |
Pos |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
Source |
| 1996/1997 |
Pools |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
[43] |
| 1998/1999 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
[44] |
| 1999/2000 |
Pools |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
[45] |
| 2000/2001 |
Pools |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
[46] |
| 2001/2002 |
Pools |
6 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
[47] |
| 2002/2003 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
[48] |
| 2003/2004 |
QFs |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
[49] |
| 2004/2005 |
Pools |
6 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
[50] |
| 2005/2006 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
[51] |
| 2006/2007 |
Pools |
6 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
[52] |
| 2007/2008 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
[53] |
[edit] European Challenge Cup
| Season |
Pos |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
Source |
| 1997/1998 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
[54] |
[edit] Welsh/Scottish League
| Season |
Pos |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
| 1999/2000 |
8th |
22 |
10 |
11 |
1 |
| 2000/2001 |
8th |
22 |
11 |
11 |
0 |
| 2001/2002 |
6th |
20 |
10 |
8 |
2 |
[edit] Celtic League
| Season |
Pos |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
| 2001/2002 |
Pools |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
| 2002/2003 |
QFs |
8 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
| 2003/2004 |
10th |
22 |
9 |
13 |
0 |
| 2004/2005 |
7th |
20 |
9 |
11 |
0 |
| 2005/2006 |
5th |
20 |
11 |
9 |
0 |
| 2006/2007 |
8th |
20 |
8 |
11 |
1 |
[edit] Scottish League
| Season |
Pos |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
| 2002/2003 |
1st |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ The original Edinburgh district side dates to 1872
- ^ The ground is nicknamed "The Castle" for Edinburgh matches
- ^ This is only true for Edinburgh matches where only the lower tier of West stand is open. The full capacity of Murrayfield is 68,500
- ^ Edinburgh Rugby - The Castle, http://www.edinburghrugby.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=68, Retrieved: April 2, 2008
- ^ a b Edinburgh Rugby Club Facts - Visit Scotland, http://rugby.visitscotland.com/professional/edinburghfacts.aspx, Retrieved: April 6, 2008
- ^ 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: April 6, 2008
- ^ http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/13_5538.php?section=4, Retrieved: April 6, 2008
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Edinburgh 33-15 Ospreys
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Edinburgh aim for European repeat
- ^ BBC SPORT | SCOTLAND | Scots drop 'Reivers' and 'Caledonians'
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh blast Blues aside
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh prove too good
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Irish | Ulster hold on for victory
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Internationals | Scotland appoint Hadden as coach
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Lineen flattered by capital link
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Blackadder to leave in the summer
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Hogg gets Gloucester coaching job
- ^ a b BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh to become a franchise
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | No SRU axe as yet for the Borders
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh name Howells new coach
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh face SRU closure threat
- ^ a b BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh chairman resigns in row
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh resign from Scots Union
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh rejoin Scottish Union
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | SRU seeks legal advice on funding
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh dispute heads for court
- ^ a b BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh back in union control
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Hastings takes post at Edinburgh
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Larkham's Edinburgh deal scrapped
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh clinch Larkham signing
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Coach applications delight SRU
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Robinson named coach of Edinburgh
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 29-10 Leinster
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 17-12 Leicester
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 15-19 Toulouse
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Club coaches to lead Scotland A
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Robinson content with Edinburgh
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh 35-31 Glasgow
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh 0-20 Blues
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Glasgow | Glasgow 23-14 Edinburgh
- ^ Edinburgh Rugby
- ^ Nat. shown here indicates sporting nationality as defined by the IRB
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1996/7
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1998/9
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 1999/2000
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2000/1
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2001/2
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2002/3
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2003/4
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2004/5
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2005/6
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Heineken Cup 2006/7
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Cup Tables
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | European Challenge Cup 1997/8
[edit] External links
Gavin Hastings
Nic Cartwright
Lynn Howells - 2006-2007 (Sacked after return to SRU control)
Todd Blackadder - 2005-2006 (Now in Crusaders coaching set-up)
