Latest news with #GrantGilchrist
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Edinburgh need knockout mentality in every game
Co-captain Grant Gilchrist says Edinburgh must embrace the pressure of high-stakes rugby because every match between now and the end of the season represents a knockout was among the try scorers as Edinburgh edged a thrilling Challenge Cup quarter-final 34-28 against the building a 31-7 lead, Edinburgh had to withstand a ferocious Bulls fightback before ultimately getting over the victory secured a home semi-final against either Gloucester or Bath, and with the capital side also in the thick of a scrap to reach the URC play-offs, Gilchrist says there is little margin for error."Games at this level are tough and knockout rugby, you've just got to find a way to win. We dug in enough to do that," Gilchrist told BBC Scotland. "We knew it was going to be a real test. We were playing a top-quality team."I thought the first half we were outstanding. Some of the speed in our play, the connected play between backs and forwards, it was as good as we've been, clearly, by how we found ourselves on the scoreboard."We've got to get comfortable in that space of knockout rugby. Our position in the URC is going to help us with that, because between now and the semi-final, we find ourselves in games that we have to win as well."We're two wins away from silverware. It's not pie-in-the-sky stuff any more. It's real."
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'The epitome of a one-club man' - Gilchrist extends Edinburgh stay
Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist says he is "more determined than ever to achieve something special" with Edinburgh after signing a one-year contract extension to remain at his boyhood club for a 15th 34-year-old made his professional debut against Cardiff in 2011 and is just the fourth player in Edinburgh's history to surpass 200 who is co-captain, said: "Being a one-club man is something I cherish deeply. I still feel like I have so much more to give to this club and the thought of helping lead this team to a winning moment would be the proudest moment of my career."We have a huge finish to the season ahead in both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the URC and I'm more determined than ever to achieve something special with this group of players and staff."Retirement isn't on my mind; I still feel I have unfinished business here at Edinburgh."Gilchrist featured in all five of Scotland's Six Nations fixtures earlier this year and started three of the Autumn Nations Series Tests in November against Fiji, Australia and South head coach Sean Everitt said: "Grant is the epitome of a one-club man and his unwavering commitment to Edinburgh is inspiring."It's brilliant news to retain a player of Grant's calibre, who continues to perform at the very top of his game."
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brown 'won't take a backward step' against France
Guinness Six Nations 2025: France v ScotlandWhen: Saturday, 15 March 2025 Kick-off: 20:00 GMT Venue: Stade de France, ParisCoverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland Extra & BBC Sounds, live text coverage and highlights on BBC Sport app & website. As first Six Nations starts go, being pitched in against a rampant French side looking to win the title under the lights at Stade de France is about as daunting as they that is exactly the situation Scotland lock Gregor Brown will find himself in come Saturday night in have felt that the Scottish second row - featuring two outstanding Test servants in the shape of Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray – has lacked a little dynamism in this championship, and perhaps that explains why Gregor Townsend has turned to the 23-year-old Glasgow Warrior to add some youthful energy."He's just turned into a real top quality, sort of nuts-and-bolts number four," said Fraser Brown, BBC pundit and a former team-mate at Glasgow."He's maybe a little bit on the short side for a second row, but what he lacks a little bit in height, he certainly doesn't lack in effort."Defensively, he works really hard. He works like a back-rower in the second row. Good lineout option, quick off the floor."He's very physical, abrasive, aggressive. He carries hard, he'll make gain-line every single time."His carry height is really good. Ball presentation is very good. You get quick ball off of him." Brown will win his ninth Scotland cap in Paris having made his debut against Canada in July last year. It will be only his fourth start and it will be fascinating to see how he measures up against the giants in the French has become an important player in Franco Smith's Glasgow squad after a difficult beginning to his career at Scotstoun."He started more as back-row and played in that URC quarter-final against Leinster in 2022 that we lost by 70 points," said Fraser Brown."He had a pretty tough couple of years after that, picked up a lot of injuries. I think if you ask him now, he probably reflects on that as a pretty low point in his career, but also probably kind of the making of him because he certainly managed to develop some resilience."I've got nothing but good things to say about Gregor. I wanted him to be in the starting Scotland team from the second week of this Six Nations to be honest. I'm really pleased that he's got a start."I think it's going to be a tough ask for him in France against that pack. But certainly, knowing the character he is, he won't take a backward step."
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It hurts to be out of Six Nations contention'
Second row Grant Gilchrist says it "hurts" for Scotland to be out of Six Nations title contention after round three following the one-point defeat by England.A bruising loss to Ireland and the loss at Twickenham leaves Scotland on one win from three games, with Wales to come at Murrayfield before a final weekend visit to play France."We came here to win because we knew we'd put ourselves in a position where we needed to win," Gilchrist told BBC Scotland."But we have to focus on that level of performance - it is going to win us more games than it loses us."We have to now look at winning our last two games and where that will leave us in the Championship. Depending on other results, that's where we're at."Obviously, it hurts to be saying that. I want to be standing here going: 'We have two games and we've got a chance to win the Championship.'"But we weren't quite good enough."After Wales put up a strong fight before eventually going down to grand-slam chasing Ireland, Gilchrist expects a rejuvenated side to arrive at Murrayfield on 8 March, regardless of their run of 15 straight defeats."Six Nations games are so tough - every game is a proper test match now," Gilchrist added."If you're not at your very best, you don't win."Wales will be taking a lot of positives from their game and they'll be coming up to Murrayfield to win."For us, it has to be another step forward in our performance levels."I believe if we add another layer to what we put on [against England], we win the game next week and we go to Paris - looking to add a bit more on again and win there."
