There is no time for sob stories at Edinburgh… another season of mediocrity from Sean Everitt will NOT be acceptable
On the eve of the new season getting under way against Ulster on Friday, Edinburgh have already taken an almighty gut punch with the news that Darcy Graham could be out until the turn of the year. How’s your luck?
Certainly, for their embattled head coach Sean Everitt, this was the last thing he needed. Everitt was fortunate to have his contract extended until 2028 given the lack of progress made since he took charge three years ago.
He starts this new campaign as a coach desperately seeking to prove he has what it takes to move the club forward, with many fans growing increasingly disillusioned over the past year or so.
It speaks much about the standards within Scottish Rugby that a coach who has shown nothing but middling mediocrity since walking through the door was rewarded with a new two-year deal.
In any case, the fact he will now be without Graham, Scotland’s record try scorer despite being plagued by injuries in recent years, is an absolute sickener for Everitt and all concerned at Edinburgh.
Not least of all Graham himself. The message from Edinburgh is that he is likely to be out for at least 12 weeks due to a ruptured bicep, meaning he might not play again this year.
Sean Everitt was a lucky man to be awarded a contract extension amid mediocre form
Scotland winger Darcy Graham will be absent until the end of the year after his latest injury
Graham has missed huge chunks of rugby over recent seasons, including two full Six Nations campaigns in 2023 and 2024, yet he still sits top of pile for Scotland’s record try-scorers.
It’s an incredible feat and it speaks to an outrageous natural talent for the game. But, at 29 years old, he’s not getting any younger.
The uncomfortable reality, both for Edinburgh and Scotland, is that he is simply not robust enough. His body breaks down too often. His injury record makes that clear. A phenomenal player, but just not reliable enough.
Everitt, of course, can’t do much about that. It is also important to remember that, even when Graham has been fit, the head coach has at times struggled to get the best out of him.
The same would apply to Duhan van der Merwe. A greater onus would, in theory, fall on the big fella’s shoulders to spearhead Edinburgh’s attack now that Graham is out for the foreseeable.
But Van der Merwe, who has been out of form for well over a year now, isn’t available either due to an ankle problem and isn’t expected to return for another few weeks
These are two of the headline absentees in what is a lengthy injury list for Edinburgh as they head into the new season, with Everitt perhaps feeling like he has one hand tied behind his back. But this is not the time for sob stories. Everitt needs to deliver some tangible sign of progress this season, otherwise fans will simply switch off.
Edinburgh actually posted some record attendances last season but that says far more about the matchday experience at The Hive and the nature of their fanbase than it does the quality of rugby being served up.
Edinburgh got nowhere near the play-offs in the URC last season. They were also-rans and did nothing more than cement their reputation as underachievers.
Everitt had a clear-out of his assistant coaches in the summer, with only Stevie Lawrie surviving in his role in charge of the forwards.
In come Brad Davis, Tim Sampson and Michael Hodge to take charge of defence, attack and contact. Fresh voices, new ideas, a structural refresh. Everitt called it necessary evolution.
Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith will have recover from the loss of some key men
What’s the old line about deputies always being the first ones to be binned in a time of crisis…
The real problem with Everitt’s Edinburgh is that the odd big result here and there has never been followed up and sustained over a prolonged period.
Ulster tonight followed by a home clash with the Stormers next week is a tough start, but Zebre, Benetton and the Lions all follow fairly quickly in the first chunk of fixtures.
That’s when we will get a clearer picture of what might be possible this season. Another season of drifting is not something that anyone at Edinburgh, who are well funded by Scottish Rugby, should be willing to tolerate.
At the other end of the M8, it’s a different story. Glasgow Warriors have consistently been up there competing at the business end of the season under Franco Smith.
They won the URC a couple of years ago and might well feel like they ought to have won it again last time around, only to blow home advantage in a gut-wrenching defeat to the Bulls at Murrayfield in the semi-finals.
Franco Smith’s side also had home advantage in the Champions Cup but, after a series of brilliant wins in the pool-stage saw them finish among the top seeds, they fluffed their lines at home to Toulon in the knockouts.
Those were two huge missed opportunities. A lot of the noise at Scotstoun in recent weeks concerned the feeling Glasgow are a team heading into this season with a chip on their shoulder.
There’s nothing wrong with having a point to prove and seeking to right the wrong of what happened in those two knockout defeats, but Smith’s hand feels weaker now.
The departures of Huw Jones, Jack Dempsey and Adam Hastings are just the latest high-profile exits from the club over these past two years.
Could this be the season when the Smith magic finally fades at Scotstoun? Possibly. But a key part of his success over recent years has been the way in which he has developed young homegrown talent.
Just look at the likes of Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Gregor Hiddleston, Alex Craig, Alex Samuel, Jamie Dobie and Stafford McDowall among many others.
Former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie has arrived at Scotstoun after a spell at Perpignan
Jamie Ritchie arrives as the marquee signing, the former Scotland captain who moves back home after a short spell with Perpignan last season.
At his best, Ritchie remains a huge asset to club and country. It will be most intriguing to see how he fares under the guidance of Smith.
Glasgow get their campaign under way tomorrow night with a visit to Munster. Ulster and Connacht will follow, before the Champions Cup begins with a trip to Sale.
Benetton and the Lions also feature in the Warriors’ first chunk of fixtures before the international schedule begins in the autumn.
Despite the loss of some big names, Smith will expect his players to go again and mount another challenge. He sets high standards, he makes demands, and he is a coach of serious pedigree.
On the basis of what we have seen over these past three years, none of those things would be true of Everitt. Only he can change that perception heading into the new season.
