JONNY Petrie, Edinburgh Rugby’s chief executive, has insisted his team are making progress both on and off the field despite finishing in their lowest position in the PRO12 for three years.
A season that for so long held out the prospect of a top-six place and Champions Cup qualification ended in disappointment for Edinburgh when defeat by Cardiff consigned them to ninth. It also enhanced the impression that there is a chronic identity problem at the club, connected to, though not necessarily caused by, their being based at Murrayfield.
Petrie insisted there was no long-term malaise, but did suggest that the planned move to Myreside in the second half of next season would have a positive impact. He also said he is in the process of “refreshing and enhancing” the playing squad.
“I don’t agree there’s a malaise at Edinburgh,” he said last week after announcing that both league and Challenge Cup games will be played at Watsonians’ home from January. “We’ve demonstrated we’ve moved on as a club, but still have a way to go on that. All the other teams have moved forward as well, so we have to move faster than anybody else.
“We need to do things to rise to the top of the PRO12. That’s why we’ve been working incredibly hard on the recruitment process this season to refresh and enhance the playing squad.
“Combine that with moving away from Murrayfield, and being back at a ground like Myreside can help us move on. There will be an exciting atmosphere for the players and fans and an intimidating one for the opposition. It’s a good traditional rugby venue and people love coming there to watch top-quality rugby.”
Edinburgh will play their home games at Murrayfield next season up to and including their 1872 Scottish Cup match with Glasgow Warriors, but the switch to Myreside has been broadly welcomed by their supporters. A move away from the national stadium has been on the cards, and although thought was given to returning to Easter Road and Meadowbank as well as to the possibility of building a mini-stadium within the grounds of Murrayfield, Myreside made most sense. Edinburgh played their first European Cup games there back in 1996, and, although temporary stands and other improved facilities will give the ground a very different feel, Petrie is sure the atmosphere will be just as good as it was 20 years ago.
“Myreside is a fantastic option for us and one we’re really excited by,” he added. “The game has moved on, but people want to recreate that feeling again in a tight venue in a rugby city on a Friday night across a rugby weekend. We’re excited to go back and enhance the facilities and for it to be a different Myreside, but also recreate the buzz felt from those days. I remember great matches and great atmosphere and that is what we want to recreate.”
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