Ben Vellacott’s arrival won't change our style of play, says Edinburgh coach

Duncan Hodge has played down suggestions that Ben Vellacott’s arrival will mean a change of style for Edinburgh next season.
Scrum-half Ben Vellacott is leaving Wasps to join Edinburgh in the summer.Scrum-half Ben Vellacott is leaving Wasps to join Edinburgh in the summer.
Scrum-half Ben Vellacott is leaving Wasps to join Edinburgh in the summer.

The dynamic scrum-half has agreed a deal to move from Wasps in the summer, prompting speculation that it would trigger a more attacking mindset at the capital club.

Edinburgh have long been labelled a forwards-orientated, safety-first side but Hodge, the club’s attack coach, refutes the charge and believes their imminent move to an artificial pitch at their new stadium will add zip to their game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s one of these things that seems to get labelled,” he said of their unwarranted reputation.

Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge, right, with head coach Richard Cockerill.Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge, right, with head coach Richard Cockerill.
Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge, right, with head coach Richard Cockerill.

“I think I’m right in saying we scored the most tries in our league last year, so our attack wasn’t lacking then. It has been tough this year, missing certain players. I think at the minute we kick the ball the least in our league.

“We’re playing on our new fantastic pitch, it’s a great surface, we’ve been training on there. It will lend itself to someone like Ben, you would think. I’m sure he will be a great addition and he will definitely add something to the squad.

“He’s a livewire of a scrum-half, very good technically, very fit, so I think he’s a great signing.”

Read More
Ben Vellacott’s move north is good news for Edinburgh and Scotland

Vellacott’s arrival will take the number of scrum-halves in the first-team squad to four and Hodge admits that head coach Richard Cockerill could have a job on his hands keeping Henry Pyrgos, Nic Groom and Charlie Shiel happy.

“It’s not an easy thing to do,” admitted Hodge. “Players are players - they want to play, don’t they? Yet you can only have one playing and one on the bench every week, so it is tough.”

Edinburgh host Benetton on Sunday and the coaching staff are waiting to hear if Glasgow stand-off Adam Hastings’ recent red card will have a knock-on effect on the capital side.

Hastings’ recent return to the Scotland squad after injury saw Edinburgh No 10 Jaco van der Walt released back to his club from the international side. However, if Hastings is suspended, van der Walt may return to Gregor Townsend’s squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully Jaco will be available for us. It’s a fallow week and he probably needs some rugby,” said Hodge.

A message from editor:

Get a year of unlimited access to all The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis of the biggest games, exclusive interviews, live blogs, transfer news and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today

Related topics:

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.