WHAT'S the difference between a winner and a loser?
It can be basic talent; but more often than not it is spirit and determination. The kind of thing, in other words, that Glasgow demonstrated at the weekend and Edinburgh failed to do.
That is not the view of a smart-Alec pundit, sitting in the stand to spread insults and praise according to whim. The verdicts come from the players, with Andries Strauss, the Edinburgh captain, scathing on his team's performance in going down 62-13 at the Ospreys while Glasgow were celebrating their strength in shrugging off a red card to claim the scoring bonus point at Newport Gwent Dragons
"We didn't show any character out there, that is the most disappointing thing," said Strauss. "The fact that we conceded nine tries is bad but the fact that we didn't pitch up and play with character is the most disappointing thing. Luckily it is something that can be fixed quickly. I'm sure we can do that. The worst thing we can do is shout and scream after a performance like that.
"It is obvious we didn't pitch up physically. We are as disappointed as the fans, but the most important thing is to have a look at the game, make sure we stick together as a side and remain positive. I am confident we will run onto the field with a lot more character next time."
Strauss was adamant that there had been no loss of focus in the build-up, but did admit that conceding a try after 70 seconds seemed to rock the confidence. "I can't question the commitment before, but that is not what counts, it is the commitment on the field and we did not do that,".
Compare and contrast that with the attitude shown by the Glasgow side. The red card shown to Tyrone Holmes was harsh and the Guinness PRO12 did itself no favours when the adjudication had to be made by the television match official without the referee getting a chance to see the incident for himself, even though the cameras caught it and there was a big screen at the ground.
It was the kind of misfortune that could have seen a side go into its shell. "We grouped together and came back," said Gordon Reid, the prop. "Nobody can fault the team effort. It is about overcoming these situations; these things happen in a game - it is a contact sport. We have to get through these bad times, push forward and get the win.
"The referee has made his decision. There is nothing we could do about it so we had to get on with things. It was a really difficult place to go and get a win so we are delighted."
The real question is why is there such a contrast and you do not really have to look far. The Glasgow team have been growing and developing over a number of years, the heavy lifting being done by Al Kellock as captain and Sean Lineen as the coach when they broke through into the top ranks. Gregor Townsend has since come in to add the glossy finish as the team have grown into an even more tight-knit unit.
They have a smattering of imports, four of the starting XV against the Dragons and one on the bench are not currently qualified to play for Scotland but that is more than counterbalanced by nine of the starting side and five of the bench who came through the ranks at the club, learning its values and spirit from teenage onwards.
Again, compare and contrast. Tim Visser and WP Nel, neither of them products of the Scottish development system, were the only players in the Edinburgh side who were there 18 months ago.
Since then, Alasdair Dickinson and Fraser McKenzie, who are products of the Edinburgh development, system have returned to their roots and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and has emerged from junior ranks to compete for the scrum-half slot while Hamish Watson is impressing in his first run of outings at flanker.
Creating a team spirit with so many players who hardly knew each other not so long ago is tricky. A decade ago, Edinburgh paid what it took to bring in Todd Blackadder, but none of Alan Solomons' signings since he took over 14 months ago have come close to that kind of quality. As a direct result, they now face radically different tasks this Friday. While Edinburgh have to find some way to use one proper training session to recover after facing adversity and crumbling, unbeaten Glasgow are anticipating a top-of-the-table clash against Connacht with confidence on a high after conquering adversity.
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