- Edinburgh Rugby
Rugby team
teamname = Edinburgh Rugby
fullname = Edinburgh Rugby
nickname = "Gunners"
shortname = Edinburgh
founded = 1996 [The original Edinburgh district side dates to 1872]
ground =Murrayfield Stadium [The ground is nicknamed "The Castle" for Edinburgh matches]
capacity = 12,464 [This is only true for Edinburgh matches where only the lower tier of West stand is open. The full capacity of Murrayfield is 68,500]
location =Edinburgh ,Scotland
country
chairman = flagicon|ScotlandGavin Hastings
ceo = flagicon|England Nic Cartwright
coach = flagicon|EnglandAndy Robinson
league = Magners League
season = 2007/08
position = 4th
url = www.edinburghrugby.org
pattern_la1=_redshoulders
pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1=_redshoulders|leftarm1=000000|body1=000000|rightarm1=000000|shorts1=000000| socks1=000000
pattern_la2=_redshoulders|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=_redshoulders|leftarm2=FFFFFF|body2=FFFFFF|rightarm2=FFFFFF|shorts2=000000|socks2=FFFFFFEdinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners) is one of two
professional rugby union teams inScotland competing in the Celtic League along withGlasgow Warriors , their oldest rivals. Edinburgh currently play their home games atMurrayfield Stadium , although the stadium has been rebranded "Murrayfield Castle" (shortened to "The Castle") for Edinburgh matches since the 2007/08 seasonEdinburgh Rugby - The Castle, http://www.edinburghrugby.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=68, Retrieved: April 2, 2008] .The original Edinburgh district team played the first ever inter-district match against Glasgow in 1872, winning the match 3-0.Edinburgh Rugby Club Facts - Visit Scotland, http://rugby.visitscotland.com/professional/edinburghfacts.aspx, Retrieved: April 6, 2008] BBC Sport - Edinburgh drop Gunners from title, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/5392284.stm, Retrieved: April 6, 2008] The team were reformed in 1996 to compete in the
Heineken Cup , their best performance coming in the 2003/04 tournament where they became the first Scottish side to reach the quarter-finals.http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/13_5538.php?section=4, Retrieved: April 6, 2008] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3419321.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Edinburgh 33-15 Ospreys ] ] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3744022.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | Edinburgh aim for European repeat ] ]History
Edinburgh District played in the world's first ever inter-district match against Glasgow in 1872.
Professional Era changes & Establishment: 1996
With the game turning professional in 1995 the
Scottish Rugby Union did not believe that Scottish club sides could compete against the best teams from France and England. They therefore decided that the four district teams were to be Scotland's vehicle for professional rugby and in 1996 the Edinburgh District team was reformed as Edinburgh Rugby to compete in theHeineken Cup . Due to the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment ofMurrayfield Stadium , retrenchment was called for and the 4 professional sides were reduced to 2. After two seasons, Edinburgh were merged with the Border Reivers to form a team known as Edinburgh Reivers.For the 1999 and 2000 seasons the
Scottish Rugby Union andWelsh Rugby Union joined forces, with the expansion of theWelsh Premier Division to include Edinburgh Reivers and Glasgow Caledonians under the name Welsh-Scottish League. However further change was imminent and in 2001 an agreement was made between theIrish Rugby Football Union , Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union to create a new competition which would bring in the four Irish provinces. 2001 would see the very first incarnation of the Celtic League. In that inaugural season Edinburgh achieved the highest finish by a Scottish side in the competition, finishing sixth.The following season, to coincide with the re-establishment of the Border Reivers, a Scottish League competition modelled on the Tri-Nations was introduced alongside the Celtic League, however this only survived for one season, Edinburgh becoming the only champions.
Following the reduction of Scotland's professional structure to two sides a rebranding took place. Edinburgh Reivers were simply titled 'Edinburgh Rugby' with the Glasgow Caledonians undergoing a similar renaming process as part of a "major revamp" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/1478016.stm BBC SPORT | SCOTLAND | Scots drop 'Reivers' and 'Caledonians' ] ] of the professional structure in Scotland.
In the 2003/2004 season the team found some success as they reached the inaugural Celtic Cup final - beating
Cardiff Blues and Connacht en route in the quarter-finals [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3164584.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh blast Blues aside ] ] and semi-finals [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3264587.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh prove too good ] ] respectively. The team's good run came to an end in final, however, with 21-27 loss to Ulster at Murrayfield. David Humphreys kicked 17 points in the match to earn the Irish province the trophy [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/3324669.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Irish | Ulster hold on for victory ] ] For the 2005/2006 season, Edinburgh found themselves looking for a new coach following the departure ofFrank Hadden to coach Scotland. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4249150.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Internationals | Scotland appoint Hadden as coach ] ]Sean Lineen , then Glasgow Warriors assistant coach, was linked with the post [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4269620.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Lineen flattered by capital link ] ] beforeTodd Blackadder acquired the position for the season [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/4294994.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Blackadder to leave in the summer ] ] after a spell as interim coach [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/4994522.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Hogg gets Gloucester coaching job ] ] .During the same season the team nickname was incorporated into the official name, making them the Edinburgh Gunners. The term Gunners was dropped on 29 September 2006, after the club had become Scottish rugby's first private franchise during the summer, and the team reverted back to being known as just Edinburgh Rugby. One of the reasons for this reversion being that the word "Gunners" was already a registered Trademark of Arsenal Football Club. Another being that the new owners wanted to rebrand the team in order to help provide a fresh new look, and to further aid this a new club logo was also introduced.Private Ownership: 2006-2007
cotland's first private franchise: 2006
In 2006, it was announced that from the end of the 2005/6 season, Edinburgh would become a franchise. Finance was to come from a private company headed by businessmen Alex and Bob Carruthers [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/5164916.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh to become a franchise ] ] . This was thought to be a saving grace for Border Reivers. The team were thought to be favourites to be scrapped after the
Scottish Rugby Union had warned that funding problems could force it to scrap one of its Celtic League sides [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/4179723.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | No SRU axe as yet for the Borders ] ] . The SRU were to retain a seat on the new company board and continue to provide funding and support to the new owners in development. Following the departure of Todd Blackadder to join the Crusaders coaching setup in theSuper 14 Lynn Howells was appointed as head coach by new executive chairman Alex Carruthers [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/5316066.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh name Howells new coach ] ] .Funding dispute & return to SRU: 2007
In July 2007, a dispute arose between the Scottish Rugby Union and the owners of the newly-franchised Edinburgh team. According to owner Bob Carruthers the SRU owed Edinburgh a six-figure sum which had not been paid. Carruthers also claimed that SRU had threatened to pull the plug on funding should Edinburgh continue with legal action relating to the sum. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6273308.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh face SRU closure threat ] ] In the midst of the dispute Alex Carruthers resigned along with then Managing Director Graeme Stirling [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6271272.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh chairman resigns in row ] ] . The dispute caused much disruption in Scottish rugby at the time, leading to the temporary withdrawal of 12 players from the Scotland squad training for the
2007 Rugby World Cup . This included leading players such asChris Paterson andMike Blair The dispute escalated when on July 9th, 2007 Edinburgh revoked their associate membership of the SRU [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6283728.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh resign from Scots Union ] ] . This led to doubts over whether Edinburgh could fulfill fixtures in the Magners League and Heineken Cup and whether Edinburgh players were insured for playing at club level. The resignation was withdrawn on July 12th, with Bob Carruthers asking to "talk directly to someone" and insisting the proposed signing of Australia stand-off
Stephen Larkham would go ahead [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6896350.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh rejoin Scottish Union ] ] .Despite this, the dispute continued, with both sides initiating legal action against the other [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6927461.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | SRU seeks legal advice on funding ] ] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6903293.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh dispute heads for court ] ] . The situation was resolved in August 2007 with the termination of the franchise agreement and the return of Edinburgh to the direct control of the SRU [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6940188.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh back in union control ] ] .Under Andy Robinson: 2007 to present
Following the return to SRU control the club coach Lynn Howells was dismissed. SRU head of player development was appointed interim coach and Nic Cartwright appointed Chief Executive. Former
British and Irish Lions captainGavin Hastings was subsequently appointed Chairman [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6971298.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Hastings takes post at Edinburgh ] ] stating his "desire and passion to see this game and this club grow". The proposed signing of Stephen Larkham fell through after the SRU were unable to honour the terms of the agreement. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6975426.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Larkham's Edinburgh deal scrapped ] ] This was viewed as a disappointment at the time as the signing was considered a coup for the beleaguered SRU when the signing was initially announced. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6654723.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh clinch Larkham signing ] ] .Following an application process [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/6952487.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Coach applications delight SRU ] ] it was announced on October 1st, 2007 that
Andy Robinson , the former England head coach, would become the club's new head coach. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7021948.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Robinson named coach of Edinburgh ] ] Edinburgh showed progress under Robinson, performing well at home in the Heineken Cup posting wins againstLeinster [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7138900.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 29-10 Leinster ] ] andLeicester Tigers [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7179003.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 17-12 Leicester ] ] and a narrow loss to Toulouse, earning a bonus point. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7083024.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Edinburgh 15-19 Toulouse ] ] Following disappointing performances by Scotland in the 6 Nations, and Robinson co-coaching Scotland A [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/7102268.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Club coaches to lead Scotland A ] ] , there were rumours of Robinson taking a post within the Scotland set-up after helping Edinburgh to climb to 3rd in the Magners League. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7241160.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Robinson content with Edinburgh ] ] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/7159324.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Edinburgh 35-31 Glasgow ] ] This progress, however, was counter-pointed by some disappointing results including being shutout byCardiff Blues at Murrayfield [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/edinburgh/7313340.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Edinburgh | Edinburgh 0-20 Blues ] ] and losing the1872 Challenge Cup on aggregate to rivals Glasgow Warriors. [http://www.edinburghrugby.org/index.php?option=com_team&Itemid=53&Itemid=69 Edinburgh Rugby ] ] (registration required).rugby squad player| nat=SCO| pos=SH| name=Mike Blair (c)Notable Former Players
*
Todd Blackadder (New Zealand) - retired in 2005
*Rob Dewey (Scotland) - left for Ulster in 2007
*Marcus di Rollo (Scotland) - left for Toulouse in 2007
*Dougie Hall (Scotland) - left for Glasgow Warriors in 2007
*David Hewett (New Zealand) - retired in 2007
*Nathan Hines (Scotland) - left for Perpignan in 2005
*Duncan Hodge (Scotland) - retired in 2007
*Brendan Laney (Scotland) - left forYamaha Jubilo in March 2005
*Francisco Leonelli (Argentina) - left for Glasgow Warriors in 2006
* Lucio Lopez Fleming (Argentina) - left in 2007
*Ander Monro (Canada) - left for Waterloo RFC in 2006
* Scott Murray (Scotland) - left for Montauban in 2007
*Fergus Pringle (Scotland) - currently withBoroughmuir RFC [Lothian, Bill (22 July 2008) [http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Pringle-named-captain-as-.4310988.jp Pringle named captain as 'Muir prepare to defend title] Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 27 August 2008.]
*Mike Pyke (Canada) left for Montauban in 2006
* Simon Taylor (Scotland) - left for Stade Francais in 2007
* Craig Smith (Scotland) - left forRacing Metro 92 Paris in 2008 [Reid, Alasdair (19 June 2008). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/2303611/Craig-Smith-leaves-Edinburgh-for-fresh-start.html Craig Smith Leaves Edinburgh For Fresh Start] Telegraph. Retrieved on 27 August 2008.] [Lothian, Bill (22 July 2008) [http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Pringle-named-captain-as-.4310988.jp Pringle named captain as 'Muir prepare to defend title] Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 27 August 2008.]
*Alistair Warnock (Scotland) - left forDoncaster Knights in 2008 [Ferguson, David (14 April 2008) [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby/Warnock-looks-to-head-south.3977312.jp Warnock Looks To Head South] The Scotsman. Retrieved on 27 August 2008.]Coaches
*
Andy Robinson 2007- (incumbent)
* Henry Edwards - Two terms as interim coach
*Lynn Howells - 2006-2007 (Sacked after return to SRU control)
*Todd Blackadder - 2005-2006 (Now in Crusaders coaching set-up)
*Frank Hadden - 2000-2005 (Took over as Scotland coach)
* Bob Easson - 2000 (Now withScottish Institute of Sport )
* Iain Rankin - 1996-2000 (Later became team manager)Magners League 2006/2007
Results
Final Pool Table
:
:
tatistics
Heineken Cup
European Challenge Cup
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source 1997/1998 Pools 6 2 4 0 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3620439.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European Club | European Challenge Cup 1997/8 ] ] Welsh/Scottish League
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn 1999/2000 8th 22 10 11 1 2000/2001 8th 22 11 11 0 2001/2002 6th 20 10 8 2 Celtic League
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn 2001/2002 Pools 6 2 4 0 2002/2003 QFs 8 6 2 0 2003/2004 10th 22 9 13 0 2004/2005 7th 20 9 11 0 2005/2006 5th 20 11 9 0 2006/2007 8th 20 8 11 1 2007/2008 4th 18 9 6 3 cottish League
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn 2002/2003 1st 8 5 2 1 ee also
*
Scottish Rugby Union
* Celtic League
*Heineken Cup
*European Challenge Cup
*Glasgow Warriors
* Border ReiversNotes and references
External links
* [http://www.edinburghrugby.org Official site]
* [http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk Supporters Club site]
* [http://www.edinburghrugbyfoundation.org.uk Edinburgh Rugby Foundation site]
* [http://www.edinburghrugby.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=14&id=901&Itemid=95 Club Video Page]
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