Edinburgh defend Greig Laidlaw rest

EDINBURGH head coach Alan Solomons insists he has three scrum-halves with international potential ready to step into the gap which has been created by the controversial decision to rest Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw for the next five weeks.

Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The South African coach has urged fans not to view the loss of Laidlaw as an indication of a lack of ambition from a team bidding to secure a top-six finish which would qualify them to play in Europe next year.

Instead it should be seen as a chance for Grayson Hart, Sam Hidalgo Clyne and Sean Kennedy to display their credentials as players capable of competing at the highest level.

Solomons said: “I think that all three of those scrum-halves have the ability to play Test rugby for Scotland, so you’ve got to look at it like that – in a positive light.”

Laidlaw has been given an extended break to fully recharge his batteries. “He has had a tough season. He’s made a great contribution to us this year and a great contribution to Scotland, but he starts at Gloucester on 1 July and, if you look at the dates of the summer tour, he’s not going to have a break,” added Solomons.

Meanwhile, Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend has urged his team to stay tight against Ospreys in their biggest match of the season. Fifth-placed Warriors go into tonight’s Scotstoun clash four points behind their Welsh visitors in the RaboDirect Pro12, although the Scots have two games in hand on teams in the play-off positions. Townsend said: “This is our biggest game of the season so far with valuable league points up for grabs. Like any game against a top side, we’ll have to seize any opportunity.”