Edinburgh 24-39 Bath: Three things we learned
Edinburgh go down fighting
Edinburgh, sitting 10th in the URC table, were always going to be up against it to topple the English Premiership leaders, but at least they went down fighting.
Sean Everett after the game bemoaned his side's lack of accuracy and that was a contributing factor. The bigger reason for defeat is they were simply up against a better side.
Edinburgh were under the pump for much of the match and it's to their credit they managed to stay in the fight as long as they did.
Tries from Mosese Tuipulotu, Ali Price and the penalty try all came from sharp attacking play, but those moments came against the run of play as Bath forced the hosts into a defensive rearguard action for long spells.
Nobody can accuse Edinburgh of not giving it their all. They were simply outgunned.
Bath power tells in the end
There was a sense throughout that as heroic as the Edinburgh defensive effort was, the Bath power would take its toll in the end and that's exactly how it panned out.
Not until Niall Annett's try on 75 minutes did the visitors finally shake off the Edinburgh challenge.
The Bath bench brought an intensity that ultimately made the difference, with Annett and Alfie Barbeary both contributing tries after entering the fray in the second half.
Edinburgh lived with the Bath power as long as they could, but not for the full 80.
Crucial games to save season
Edinburgh's season now hangs in the balance. The chance of European glory has gone, and with it so does any realistic hope of winning silverware.
Now they must find a way into the URC play-offs to salvage anything from their campaign.
They are currently two points and two places outside the play-off spots, with matches away to Connacht and at home to Ulster to come. Edinburgh need to finish with a bang and hope for favourable results elsewhere.
Missing out on the top eight for the third season running would be a disaster.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea player ratings as Palmer and Sancho star in Conference League final triumph over Real Betis
Chelsea completed an impressive 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final to claim a first trophy of the Enzo Maresca era. The Blues were pretty dismal in the first half in Wroclaw and deservedly trailed 1-0 but were a side transformed after the break. Cole Palmer's creativity created goals for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson before the impressive Jadon Sancho came off the bench to add a third and Moises Caicedo completed the victory with a fourth in injury time. Advertisement It means the Blues become the first team in history to have won every single major European trophy, as the Conference League crown was added to previous successes in the Champions League, Europa League and European Cup Winners' Cup. Having already secured Champions League qualification for next season by coming fourth in the Premier League, this win completes a pretty impressive first campaign for Maresca and a young squad may well be able to use this as a springboard moving forward. Here's how the Chelsea players rated as they completed the European trophy set with Conference League victory over Betis: Filip Jorgensen – 6 Couldn't do anything about Betis's goal and then made a good save during the Spanish side's dominant start to the match. Looked comfortable enough on the ball and wasn't hugely tested beyond those early moments. Advertisement Malo Gusto – 3 Constantly inverted into central midfield alongside Caicedo and Enzo, leaving Chelsea exposed with a three at the back, and the impressive Ezzalzouli subsequently made hay down Chelsea's right early on. That included scoring the opening after Gusto gave the ball away and he was subbed off at half-time for Reece James. A largely dismal day. Malo Gusto struggled in Wroclaw (AP) Trevoh Chalobah – 6 Part of the defence run ragged in the first half and caught out by Betis's lively forwards on a couple of occasions. Was tested less in the second half as Chelsea were largely on top and that was probably a good thing. Looked decent enough on the ball. Advertisement Benoit Badiashile – 4 Like Chalobah, gets pinged for being part of the defence that were given the runaround early on and then got himself booked on 55 minutes before being subbed off on the hour mark. Marc Cucurella – 7 On the left side of the three created by Gusto inverting into the midfield, he looked as uncomfortable as his defensive partners when Ezzalzouli, Isco and Antony were causing havoc. Showed ambition when playing the ball forward though, especially in the second half, and helped keep Antony quiet after the early issues. Enzo Fernandez –8 Wanted to drive Chelsea forward from a central role and although he was quiet in the first half, popped up with the vital equaliser as he drifted between two defenders and headed home Palmer's sumptuous cross. Finals are about moments and he produced a key one. Enzo Fernandez scored the vital equaliser for Chelsea (Getty) Moises Caicedo – 8 The be-masked midfielder has quietly had a good season for Chelsea and performed his traditional role of tidying up/doing the dirty work here. Gave away free-kicks in key positions on a couple of occasions in the first half but helped steady the ship after the break as the Blues began to thrive. Got himself on the scoresheet with a superb injury-time strike, starting the move, continuing his run forward and thumping home. Advertisement Pedro Neto – 4 Largely quiet although did fire a 35th-minute shot well over the bar. Showed flickers of life early in the second half but subbed off on 60 minutes with Jadon Sancho coming on as Maresca sought a spark and the Man United loanee completely outshone him. Needs more end product next season. Cole Palmer – 9 Easily the man of the match. More capable of a defining moment of quality than anyone else in the squad and produced it for the equaliser as he floated a stunning cross on to Enzo's head. Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball in the second half and brilliantly created the second goal as well, turning his man inside out before dinking another glorious cross for Jackson to force home. The creative heart who won the Blues this final before receiving a standing ovation when subbed off with a couple of minutes remaining. Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea's comeback (AP) Noni Madueke – 7 Keen to run at opposite number Sabaly whenever he got on the ball and won a couple of corners in the first half before showing more verve and spark after the break. The goals came from Palmer's creativity and Sancho's quality finish but Madueke also looked threatening. Advertisement Nicolas Jackson – 7 Led the press effectively enough early on but was starved of service in the first half and did little with what he did get. Livelier after the break as Chelsea improved and was in the right place at the right time to score the goal that put them 2-1 up, using his shoulder/chest to force Palmer's pinpoint cross home. Not pretty but he'd made the perfect run to be there. Then made a complete hash of a one on one, with the heaviest touch you will ever see to highlight the frustration Chelsea fans have with him. Hobbled off with 10 minutes left Substitutes Reece James for Gusto, 45 – 8 Answered the half-time SOS to replace the struggling Gusto and Chelsea immediately looked more fluent. He put a good cross into the box straight away, saw a shot deflected wide and generally seemed to spark his side into life. Reece James's introduction helped turn things round for Chelsea (PA) Jadon Sancho for Neto, 61 – 8 Brought on for Neto to try and make an impact and did exactly that. Constantly ran at the Betis defence and curled in a superb third goal after shifting it on to his right foot that sealed victory for Maresca's men. Assisted Caicedo for the cherry-on-top fourth for good measure. Advertisement Levi Colwill for Badiashile, 61 – 7 Chelsea's best passer in defence and brought on for the yellow-carded Badiashile as much for that attacking ability as for as his defensive prowess. Did exactly what was asked. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for Jackson, 80 – 7 Got the assist for Sancho's goal after he aggressively drove forward. Perhaps a bit lucky that his pass made it to Sancho but deserved that fortune because of the ambition of the run. Marc Guiu for Palmer, 87 – N/A Simply brought on to waste time and so that Palmer could receive a standing ovation from Chelsea fans. Not enough time to make an impact.


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Calls Out F1 for Replacing Classic Circuits with 'Worse' New Ones
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has called out the sport for replacing "classic" F1 circuits with new ones, "90 percent" of which are "worse." New venues are being added to the calendar to meet the increasing demand for F1. However, with 24 races being the operational ceiling for the sport at present, old circuits will have to be dropped to make way for new ones. While a rotational system for several European circuits has been planned to ensure they remain a part of F1, classic circuits, such as Imola, have been dropped from the 2026 F1 calendar to make way for a Grand Prix in Madrid. In addition, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's contract expires after the race next year, raising questions about its long-term future in the sport. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari answers questions in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari answers questions in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, admitted that losing the Barcelona circuit would be a shame. He said: "I think ultimately losing any of the classics, and this is one of the classics, I think would be a shame, because as I said, it's a great city. "There's a great following here in Spain, particularly since Fernando [Alonso] was here. As long as we have a race in Spain, that's what matters most. "This feels like the home of Formula 1 in Spain. But it's okay to progress as a sport, and I know Madrid, as I said, is a great location." The 44-year-old driver revealed his preference for older circuits, which are better to race on than most new ones that don't meet his expectations. He added: "As long as they build a good circuit, which I'm less hopeful for - building new circuits is very, very hit and miss. 90 plus per cent of the time, it's worse. "As long as it's a better circuit, or as good a circuit, I'm not bothered either way." The dropping of Italy's Imola circuit from the calendar raised eyebrows, particularly since the circuit had allocated funds for the 2026 round, as reported by Newsweek Sports. However, Imola Mayor Marco Panieri has confirmed that efforts will be made to regain its lost spot in F1. He said: "This is not the time for controversy, buck-passing and resignation. Now is the time for everyone to take responsibility and resume discussions for a return to the calendar. This is why in recent days, since May 26, we have asked the Government and the sports authority for an Institutional Round Table to precisely examine the terms and methods of support and joint work to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix back to Imola. "To those who live and love Imola, Emilia-Romagna and this Grand Prix, we say that in a moment in which it would be easy to give in to useless polemics and disappointment, it is instead the time for tenacity and increasingly constructive commitment from everyone. The game does not end here and up until now we have done things that only a few years ago seemed impossible. "We continue to believe in it, with conviction and clarity, with the pride of a territory that, together with other institutional partners, has demonstrated its ability to dream big and concretely build opportunities."
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Michael Jordan, wife enjoy lavish Italy getaway aboard $115 million yacht after NBA on NBC shocker
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Michael Jordan and his family arriving in Sardinia via private jet, Image 2 shows Michael Jordan aboard a yacht in Sardinia, Image 3 shows Michael Jordan smoking a cigar on a yacht in Sardinia Michael Jordan is officially in vacation mode. The NBA icon and future NBC Sports contributor recently landed in Sardinia, Italy, for a lavish European getaway with loved ones, including wife Yvette Prieto and their 11-year-old twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, as seen in photos obtained Tuesday by The Post. Advertisement Jordan, 62, exited the aircraft in a faded red T-shirt and floral print shorts while Prieto, his wife of 12 years, opted for a white tank top and black sweatpants. Michael Jordan puffing on his trademark cigar aboard his yacht moored in Porto Cervo. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabel, arrive in style via their private jet in Sardinia. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID The group later moved from land to sea, where the six-time NBA champion was photographed smoking a cigar in casual threads aboard his megayacht, worth a reported $115 million. Jordan, who typically vacations in Europe over the summer, shocked the sports media landscape last month when it was revealed he's joining NBC as a special contributor for the network's NBA coverage in the upcoming 2025-26 season. 'The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I'm excited about being a special contributor to the project. I'm looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October,' he said in a statement at the time. Michael Jordan enjoys a cigar aboard his $115 million yacht. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Although details surrounding Jordan's NBC role are scarce, CBNC suggested in May 'the initial plan is for Jordan to appear in taped segments during the season to provide analysis that will air during pregame shows or halftime shows.' Advertisement The NBA announced in July 2024 that the league had signed an 11-year media rights agreement with NBC, the Walt Disney Company and Amazon Prime that runs through the 2035-36 season. Michael Jordan and pals hang out on the NBA legend's yacht in Italy. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Michael Jordan and pals hang out on the NBA legend's yacht in Italy. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID NBC has been loading up on talent for its NBA coverage this offseason, tapping Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst in May. Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will serve as game analysts while Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle are the play-by-play callers. Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons and won six titles with the Bulls in the 1990s. A 14-time NBA All-Star and five-time league MVP, he spent the final two years of his Hall of Fame career with the Wizards before retiring after the 2002-03 season. Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabel, arrive in style via their private jet in Sardinia. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabelboard Jordan's yacht moored in Porto Cervo. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Jordan's NBC payday has been heavily speculated in recent weeks, with Front Office Sports' Ryan Glasspiegel reporting Monday that the rumored annual salary of $40 million is 'inaccurate.'