Two were described as having been ‘defensively poor’ another ‘did not play well enough’, while the message for a fourth internationalist who has been dropped from Edinburgh’s starting line-up was that he misses out ‘on form’ to a man who has played just once for them this year.
A perennial winner in his playing days with Leicester Tigers, Richard Cockerill knows exactly what is required at this stage of the season and Edinburgh’s head coach is making it very clear that he has not been seeing enough of that from some of the more senior members of his team.
While one of those omitted following the back-to-back defeats to Cardiff Blues and Ulster that have halted their momentum was a front-row forward, it is typical of another who plied his trade at rugby’s coal-face that he seems to have been particularly irked by the failings in the back line that were particularly apparent defensively last week, resulting in stand off Dunc Weir and both centres, Phil Burleigh and Mark Bennett, losing their places.
“Mark’s obviously commanded that position for the last 10 or 11 games. JJ (James Johnstone) started against Dragons, hasn’t played since, but I think on form he deserves the opportunity in front of Mark, so that’s why he’s in the team. Jaco (van der Walt) has played a lot of rugby and he sat on the bench last week, Duncan had his opportunity last week, didn't take it. The same with Phil Burleigh, defensively both of them were poor and that has cost them their place in the team. Jaco has defended very well and played very well, Chris Dean has been very solid and played well. James Johnstone deserves his opportunity. On selection and on form, we had to make changes,” was the explanation of that midfield overhaul ahead of today's meeting with the Scarlets.
While Weir and Bennett may get a chance to redeem themselves from the bench, tighthead prop WP Nel meanwhile joins Burleigh in missing out altogether on a place in the match 23.
“He's been dropped,” Cockerill said bluntly. “He has not played well enough and (Simon) Berghan has been every good and (Murray) McCallum, when he has played, has been very good. WP, when he has played, has not played well enough and does not get into the side this week. His scrummaging is very good but is contribution around the field both in attack and defence has been poor. He is not doing enough to keep himself in this squad.”
As has been the case at Glasgow Warriors this week the message could not be more clear, that performance is all that matters heading towards the play-offs which, as Cockerill pointed out, is now far from a formality.
“We have had players who have been given opportunities, players who have come back from Test duty. We have competition for places and in the here and now, you have to pick on form and not just reputation,” he said.
“The bigger picture for us and the club moving forward is that we have to create competition and players have to understand that if they don't perform for two, three or four weeks then, at some point if there are other players to pick they will drop out of the side, whether that is team to bench or out of the 23. We have got to start to step up to the plate. We have to pretty much win. It is in our own hands at the moment but if Ulster win tonight and we don't win tomorrow then it is out of our hands.”
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