Glasgow in play-offs as Edinburgh fall flat

SCOTTISH rugby was last night celebrating a guaranteed presence in the first Magners League play-offs, but only after Edinburgh's abject performance in a 37-25 defeat to Ulster yesterday ensured Glasgow's top four place.

Neither side at Murrayfield was happy with their displays in a disappointing match, but the manner in which Edinburgh collapsed for the second successive week, taking their tally to 86 points and 12 tries shipped in two games, was demoralising. Incredibly, they are not totally out of the play-off race, but now require a four-try win over leaders Leinster in Dublin in a fortnight and Munster to lose at Cardiff, with neither side claiming a bonus point, to sneak in.

Moffat said: "Everybody connected with our team, on and off the pitch, is very disappointed with the way we played today and in the last few games. In the past three games we haven't had many players playing at the top of their game, and that's one reason (for defeats].

"Edinburgh have lost a number of internationalists to long-term injuries this season and clearly missed the ability and leadership of Chris Paterson and Ally Hogg.

The contrast between Moffat and his Glasgow counterpart Sean Lineen last night could not have been greater. Lineen said: "It's really disappointing for Rob and Edinburgh, but Glasgow reaching the play-offs is right up there with any achievement in my career.

"When you compare us and Edinburgh with the other teams in the league, it says a lot to have two teams in there fighting to the last weekend. The players deserve a lot of credit for reaching the play-offs. Now we want to go on and try and claim a home semi-final."