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Hamish Watson: 'We came off the pitch probably feeling a bit like we lost'
By PA
Hamish Watson admitted Edinburgh still have plenty to work on even though they made it five wins in seven matches by grinding out a 19-15 victory at home to in-form Ospreys on Friday.
The experienced flanker scored his side’s only try of the night in the 17th minute and team-mate Ben Healy kicked three penalties as the Scots opened up a 16-3 interval lead. However, the Welsh outfit came back strongly after the break, with tries from forwards Sam Parry and Morgan Morris cranking up the pressure on Edinburgh, who ultimately clung on for victory.
“It was a bit of a weird game,” Watson said. “The first half went to plan, we executed the game-plan well, played the game in their half and kicked the points when they were on offer.
“Second half we started well but we knew Ospreys weren’t going to go away. They’re a really good team and they’ve been on a five-game winning streak so we knew they were going to keep in the game.
“They played the second half better than us so we came off the pitch probably feeling a bit like we lost. We got the four points and we’re sitting in the right half of the table so it was a good win against a tough team but there’s still a lot to work on.
“We’re building something but as anyone who has watched our last two games will have seen, we’ve still got a lot to do. We’ve got a few weeks now to get it right before we go to South Africa for two tough games (against Stormers and Sharks).”
Before then, Watson is set to rejoin the Scotland squad on Monday to prepare for the closing Six Nations matches away to Italy and Ireland.
The 32-year-old was omitted from Gregor Townsend’s initial pool for the championship but received a belated call-up in the build-up to the third match against England.
“I’m enjoying my rugby,” said Watson. “It was nice to come back and get a bit more game time for Edinburgh.
“It was good to be back in the Scotland squad for the England game. The boys are obviously going pretty well so it’s good to be back in the squad. We’re back in on Monday.”
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Latest Comments
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.
Go to commentsUmm - really?
He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...
Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.
For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.
But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.
I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.
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