Stevie Lawrie, who stepped up from assistant forwards coach to being in charge of that department following Richard Cockerill’s departure from Edinburgh during the summer, believes that the capital outfit showed against the Bulls on Saturday that the Englishman’s legacy lives on in the Scottish capital.
“I thought we showed really good balance,” explained Lawrie, looking back at that 17-10 win achieved in tricky conditions at the DAM Health Stadium.
“I was really proud of our scrum because there was a real edge there, and that is going to be important against Zebre this coming weekend. We also had some big moments with our line-out defence, although we had a disappointing day with our line-out attack, so there are things to fix as well.
“I was mainly pleased with the attitude,” he added. “I know that is supposed to be a given, but I just think with the crowd there it was a really special vibe on Saturday night.”
Lawrie is still in contact with his old boss, who is now part of the England coaching set-up, and is clearly an admirer of Cockerill’s uncompromising approach.
“I learned a lot from him and speaking to him now in his current environment is invaluable,” he added. “And Mike understands the foundations which were laid under Cockers and how important the pack is to the way we want to play, so he’s been great in terms of his support of the work we need to do in that area.
“If you enjoy the dark stuff then that allows you to do the stuff in the light which everyone wants to see and talk about. So, it is really important that the environment, especially for the forwards, is really tough.”
Meanwhile, Gareth Baber, who will arrive in Edinburgh at the start of December as the club’s new skills and assistant attack coach, is to take charge of Fiji’s Autumn Test schedule against Spain, Wales and Georgia.
With Fiji head coach Vern Cotter and his assistants not allowed to travel to the northern hemisphere due to Covid restrictions, a makeshift management team has been put together. Baber will be assisted by two Scotsmen in Duncan Hodge (the man he is effectively replacing at Edinburgh) and Richie Gray as well as former Ireland captain Rory Best.
Current Edinburgh players Viliame Mata, Mesulame Kunavula and Lee-Roy Atalifo are in the 28-strong Fiji squad, along with their former clubmate Eroni Sau, and former Glasgow duo Niko Matawalu and Leone Nakarawa.
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