Scottish Rugby

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Hamish Watson and Charlie Shiel are among nine players leaving Edinburgh at the end of the season.

Watson, who has made 181 appearances, is currently on a short-term loan with Leicester, while scrum-half Shiel has played 93 times.

Some of the other departing players, such as Lions-bound Boan Venter, had previously confirmed their exits.

Completing the list of departures are James Lang, Ben Healy, Sam Skinner, Angus Williams, Ross McCann and Mikey Jones.

"Every one of them has given their all for the jersey, and I want to express my sincere gratitude for the commitment and passion they've shown for Edinburgh," said head coach Sean Everitt.

"We wish them nothing but the very best in the next stage of their careers.

"We obviously want to give a special mention to Hamish Watson – an all-time Edinburgh legend and one of the finest players ever to represent this club.

"We hope he gets back to full fitness soon and has every opportunity to challenge for silverware with Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. He deserves that."

Venter and Shiel could make farewell appearances off the bench when Edinburgh host Dragons on Friday in their final URC fixture of the season.

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Scotland lock Gregor Brown is among three changes for the trip to face Ulster on Friday night as Glasgow Warriors bid to secure top spot in the URC.

Brown will make his first outing since Scotland's final match of the Six Nations against Ireland two months ago.

Nathan McBeth comes into the front row to join Johnny Matthews and Zander Fagerson.

And Macenzzie Duncan is drafted into the back-row, with no place in the squad for Jack Dempsey in Glasgow's final regular-season match.

Warriors are a point clear of Stormers and a bonus-point win at Ulster will secure top spot - and with it top seeding and home advantage in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Head coach Franco Smith said: "Ulster are a quality team who will be desperate to make it into the play-offs andcontinue their run of form ahead of the Challenge Cup final next week.

"We are pleased to welcome Gregor back. He has worked hard with our medical and strength and conditioning teams to put himself in the best position possible, and he is eager to get back onto the field."

Glasgow Warriors: McBeth, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Brown, Samuel, Miller, M Fagerson, Duncan; Horne, Lancaster, Rowe, Tuipulotu, McDowall, Steyn, McKay.

Replacements: Hiddleston, Sutherland, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Ferry, Vailanu, Afshar, Smith.

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Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury returns to the side for their final URC match of the season against Connacht on Friday night.

Bradbury replaces Tom Currie as Sean Everitt makes four changes from the bonus-point win at Dragons last week.

Marshall Sykes comes into the second row for Grant Gilchrist, who is ruled out with a finger injury.

Tom Dodd slots in at blindside flanker, with Glen Young moving into the second row alongside Sykes, while Piers O'Conor takes over from Mosese Tuipulotu at outside centre.

"The competition for places in this squad has been fierce and I've loved seeing that fight for the jersey throughout this last block of games," head coach Everitt said.

"Three wins on the bounce has taken real character and real commitment – and what's driven that, I think, is how much these players care. They care for each other, they care for this city and they care deeply about our supporters.

"To have the opportunity to make it four wins in a row, in front of our own fans, in a fixture that means so much to the club off the pitch as well as on it – that's a brilliant way to close out our season.

"We want to send our supporters away with something to smile about."

Edinburgh: Paterson, Graham, O'Conor, Thomson, Van der Merwe, Thompson, Patterson; Schoeman, Ashman, O Blyth-Lafferty, Sykes, Young, Dodd, Douglas, Bradbury.

Replacements:J Blyth-Lafferty, Venter, Hunter-Hill, McVie, Currie, Shiel, Brown.

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Callum Hunter-Hill has become the latest Edinburgh lock to extend his contract.

The 29-year-old is now committed to the club until the summer of 2027-28 after signing a new one-year deal.

Hunter-Hill rejoined Edinburgh from Northampton Saints on a two-year contract last summer and has made 15 appearances for Sean Everitt's side the term.

"Coming back to Edinburgh has meant everything to me," he said.

"This club has always felt like home. I've really enjoyed the game-time this season and feel like I'm building nicely, but I'll be honest, I know I haven't hit the heights I'm capable of yet.

"That's a big part of why I wanted to stay. I feel like I've got a real contribution to make here, and I'm not done. The direction this club is moving in genuinely excites me."

Hunter-Hill joins fellow second-rowers Grant Gilchrist, Glen Young and Marshall Sykes in signing fresh terms.

Tom English and Andy Burke chat with Glasgow Warriors' Johnny Matthews, who is leaving the club for French side Montauban, round up a good weekend for Glasgow and Edinburgh in the URC and preview Ireland v Scotland in the Women's Six Nations.

Listen and subscribe to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast on BBC Sounds.

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Scotland lock Glen Young is ready to build on "one of my best seasons" for Edinburgh after signing a one-year contract extension.

The 31-year-old, who joined the club five years ago, has made 19 appearances this term and joins fellow Scotland locks Marshall Sykes and Grant Gilchrist in committing his future.

"This has been one of my best seasons in an Edinburgh jersey and I genuinely feel like there's more to come," said Young. "I feel fit, I feel confident, and I want to keep building on that.

"One of the things I really value is being one of the more experienced guys in the squad. I take that seriously – if I can help the younger players develop and make the whole group better, then I see that as a big part of what I'm here to do.

"I can play across the second row and into the back row, and I think my versatility is something that gives the coaches options. I'm a team-first person – whatever the squad needs from me, I'll give it."

Head coach Sean Everitt hailed Young as "the type of player who makes your squad better – not just through what he does on the pitch, but through the standards he sets every day in training".

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

I think we played our get out of jail free card on Saturday night.

Everything about this game had two sides to it. We bossed the first half in terms of possession and territory but by the 43rd minute we were behind again.

We were down to 14 men for 20 minutes of the second half but our discipline was good overall, only conceding seven penalties throughout the game.

Duhan van Der Merwe carried the ball four times in the entire match yet scored two tries. Our lineouts were horrible but Ewan Ashman still got man of the match.

I think we got lucky with a few decisions but our defence was good and we deserved that fortune for the effort.

It was a frustrating watch but we won and this can now officially be called a winning streak.

Truth be told it wasn't just frustrating, it was uncomfortable viewing. Scrum time seemed to drag on and it felt inevitable the referee was going to lose patience with Edinburgh's slow lineout set-up.

Only Van der Merwe's superb 75th-minute try that was a reminder of what he can bring to the table eased that, er, uneasiness.

The winger can be pretty pleased with his return to the starting XV, as can Harry Paterson who played a big part in the game. He made the most carries, all of which were aggressive, was secure under the high ball and having his right foot to complement Ross Thompson's left was a bonus.

Defensively there were some standouts and huge hits. Our top tackler on the night was Grant Gilchrist but it's perhaps a sign of how hard the team had to work in the second half that Paul Hill, Liam McConnell, Magnus Bradbury and Boan Venter were all on double figures despite only coming on with around 30 minutes to go.

One game to play. Connacht at the Hive. I expect a big turnout to see out the season and to say cheerio to some players including stalwarts like James Lang and our very own springbok, Venter.

Attendees may also see us hopefully complete our season with a four-game run. A win would mean we have beaten every team in the bottom half of the table.

We've had the get out of jail free card. Would that win be the joker?

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Do you have any burning questions for our rugby experts after Scotland's Six Nations defeat by France?

Or maybe you want to know more about the weekend's URC action as Glasgow beat Cardiff and Edinburgh won at Dragons?

Send in your questions via this link and a selection will be answered and published on this page later in the week.

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Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm will miss Sunday's Six Nations match against Ireland because of injury.

Malcolm has been absent since the first match of the tournament with a knee problem and will now return to her club side Ealing Trailfinders for rehab.

Scotland are fifth in the table after losing three of their four matches so far.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Matthews the hero

Johnny Matthews was quite emotional talking about the tremendous ovation he received from the Glasgow fans as he left the field in the second half of the victory over Cardiff.

The hooker has become a cult hero at Scotstoun in his seven years at the club – for his phenomenal try-scoring exploits, but even more so for his personality.

He marked what could possibly be his last home appearance in Warriors colours before his summer move to France with a couple of tries.

Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen may well be preferred when it come to the playoffs and if this was Matthews' last outing for the club, what a way to sign off.

Destructive Dempsey to the fore again

Another man sailing off into the sunset this summer is Jack Dempsey and the number eight showed Glasgow exactly what they will be missing with another destructive display.

It was Dempsey who got Glasgow on their way with the opening try, charging up the wing for the initial break and then getting himself back into position to crash over when the ball was recycled.

He was a menace to Cardiff in those wide channels all evening and rarely does he go to ground without the attention of at least two defenders.

Glasgow have made moves to compensate for his departure from the back-row, not least the impending arrival of Jamie Ritchie, but Dempsey's bludgeoning carrying will be missed.

Horne brings the tempo

There were a number of reasons why Glasgow were off the boil in the defeats to Toulon, Lions and Stormers, but right at the top of the list was the absence of George Horne.

On his return from injury Horne brought all the energy and tempo that has been missing from Warriors play in recent weeks.

He was quick to every breakdown, either getting the ball away sharply or having a snipe himself, but always keeping the Cardiff defence guessing.

Horne nailed four of his five attempts at goal (the game was done when his final effort drifted wide) and his all-round influence helped his side rediscover their form just when they needed to.

There were three Scottish sides in action over the weekend. In the club game, Glasgow Warriors beat Cardiff well on Friday night before Edinburgh overcame Dragons on Saturday.

And on Saturday afternoon at the Hive, Scotland were well beaten by France in the Women's Six Nations but did pick up a try-scoring bonus point. Here's are a flavour of your views...

David: Normal service resumed for Glasgow after the return of one of their first-choice scrum-halves. It's hard to play at the top level with a lot of your first-choice players missing. Let's hope Alex Samuel injury is not serious.

Dave: George Horne and Kyle Steyn showed what they are about, they both added pace to the Warriors game in their own unique ways and provided the class in a very good Glasgow home performance. It will not be easy in Ulster next week, so Glasgow will need the very best version of themselves to come away with a win.

Chris: Looks like Ollie Smith might be able to mix it up at fly-half for games during a season, much like Blair Kinghorn. Also, thought Patrick Schickerling was fantastic off the bench - having a great end of season.

SCOTLAND WOMEN

Geoff: Given the huge difference in player numbers and the number of injuries Scotland did well to get their tries and compete so well. This should be viewed positively.

George: Having had 11 tries put past them, people are then saying they were proud of the defence? That doesn't seem like a performance to be proud of. Horrendous day for the team but hopefully experience can be taken and lessons can be learned. Four tries is a positive.

Gys: Tried there best but still came up short. Fitness levels have too get better. Gave away far too many easy points. Onto the next game.

Scotland have suffered a third Women's Six Nations defeat in a row - what did you make of it?

Read the report.

Have your say on the action.

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Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka speaking to BBC Sport: "I am very proud of the response from the girls.

"Obviously there are a lot of areas that we need to work on and we will get back to that but after two big defeats that we didn't get right I am happy we came out and competed and took a bonus point which the girls should be proud of."

Scotland's captain Helen Nelson, speaking to BBC Sport: "We knew it was going to be tough but I think we are really proud of the defensive effort we put in.

"We have a lot of injuries at the moment but that allows some of the younger players to step up and I think they really did that here today. I think the energy off the bench was unbelievable.

"I think the mindset and the way we kept fighting back is probably the biggest positive from today. We weren't happy with our last couple of defensive performances and that is what we have been talking about, getting that fight and belief back and that is what we have shown today."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Johnny Matthews says the bonus-point victory over Cardiff that took Glasgow Warriors back to the top of the URC was the perfect response to their recent dip in form.

The hooker scored two tries as Warriors dispatched the Welsh side 40-17 at Scotstoun.

It ended a three-game losing run that saw Warriors knocked out of the Champions Cup by Toulon in the quarter-final before back-to-back heavy URC losses in South Africa to Lions and Stormers.

"I think we were hurting a little bit as a group - well not a little bit, quite a lot - after we probably didn't give the best account of ourselves when we were away in South Africa," Matthews told BBC Scotland.

"We knew we had to come back and put a performance on for the fans, so to come and put 40 points on a very good Cardiff team was something we needed as a group.

"It's back in our hands. We know we've got to go to Ulster next week and get five points if we want to get that top spot, but it's in our hands and we know as a group, we've got that in us."

In his last regular season appearance at Scotstoun before he departs for French side Montauban this summer, Matthews was given a huge ovation by the home fans as he left the field in the second half.

"It was brilliant to get that ovation there when I was coming off. It's something I'll always cherish," he said.

"I've spent seven years here and I've loved every minute of it, so to be able to get that moment was truly special for me."

After two bruising defeats in South Africa, Warriors are back on top of the URC pile after running in six tries against Cardiff at Scotstoun.

Read the report.

Have your say on the action.

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Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe returns from injury for Edinburgh's URC trip to Dragons on Saturday as both Pierre Schoeman and Magnus Bradbury prepare for their 150th appearance for the club.

Van der Merwe is one of four changes from the win over Sharks last time out, as Harry Paterson also returns from injury at full-back, Ross Thompson replaces Cammy Scott at fly-half and Callum Hunter-Hill starts in the second row.

"The mood in camp has been really positive after two excellent home performances," head coach Sean Everitt said.

"Back-to-back wins have given the group genuine momentum and there's a real energy about the place - some of our younger players in particular have been outstanding and they're driving standards every day in training.

"Going to Rodney Parade is a different challenge entirely. It's a difficult venue, a passionate crowd, and Dragons will be fired up on home soil. But we believe in what we're doing right now and we'd love to make it three wins on the bounce."

Edinburgh XV to face Dragons: Paterson, Graham, M. Tuipulotu, Thomson, Van der Merwe, Thompson, Patterson; Schoeman, Ashman, O. Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Gilchrist, Young, Douglas, Currie.

Replacements: Richardson, Venter, Hill, Sykes, McConnell, Bradbury, Shiel, O'Conor.

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Glasgow Warriors have confirmed the summer departure of Tonga back-row Sione Vailanu after four seasons at Scotstoun.

The 31-year-old has scored 10 tries in 41 appearances since joining from Worcester in 2022, but has been used sparingly this season, making just three starts.

He is among the substitutes for Friday's home game against Cardiff.

First capped for Tonga against Japan in 2017, Vailanu has played 14 times for his country.

He joins Adam Hastings, Huw Jones, Jack Dempsey, Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in exiting the club, while Duncan Weir is set to retire.

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Club captain Magnus Bradbury has signed a one-year contract extension with Edinburgh.

The Scotland back-row, 30, is set to make his 150th appearance for the club against Dragons this weekend, having featured 18 times so far this season.

"There's only one place I want to be, and that's here," said Bradbury, who made his Edinburgh debut against Leinster in 2014.

"This club means everything to me – it always has – and pulling on the jersey every week as captain is something I don't take for granted for a single second.

"It obviously hasn't been the easiest of seasons at times, and I'm very aware of that. But I really hope the supporters can see what's being built here. The growth over the last few games has been real, and I want us to go out, win these remaining matches, and finish the season on the front foot.

"I take huge pride in being captain of Edinburgh Rugby. This city, this club - it's home."

Bradbury returned to the international fold for Autumn Nations Series fixtures against the USA and Tonga and earned his 19th cap as a replacement in the Six Nations match against Ireland in March.