Gavin Harper

Scotland

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Editor at Scotland Rugby News

Business journalist at @dctmedia and @thecourieruk. All views my own.

Articles

Edinburgh Rugby boss praises match-winner Shiel but fears Tuipulotu injury

4 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Charlie Shiel celebrates his try for Edinburgh Rugby against Connacht (Image: Edinburgh Rugby) Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt hailed the impact of Charlie Shiel, whose stunning solo try handed Edinburgh a vital win over Connacht in Galway The scrum-half broke from 70 metres and beat the covering Connacht defenders to hand Edinburgh a rare away win and give the capital club a chance of making the play-offs. A delighted Everitt said post-match: “We know what he can do.
Instant analysis: Magic moment keeps Edinburgh Rugby's play-off dream alive

4 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Shiel’s 70-metre solo try with a dozen minutes left was the difference in an even contest in which Edinburgh dominated the first half before Connacht fought back after the break. Tries from Pierre Schoeman and Hamish Watson gave the hosts a 14-0 lead at the break, but Connacht hit back to tie the scores twice in the second period before Shiel’s outstanding try.
Instant analysis as dismal Glasgow Warriors outclassed by brilliant Benetton

4 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Glasgow were unable to get into the game as Benetton cruised to victory (Image: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) Glasgow Warriors’ hopes of a home run in the defence of their United Rugby Championship (URC) title were effectively ended after a dismal 33-7 defeat to Benetton in Italy. In a worrying trend, Glasgow were way off the pace in Treviso as the hosts took control with two tries, scored by Paolo Odogwu and Siua Maile, inside the opening 10 minutes.
Young Glasgow Warriors hit half-century in big win over Benetton

5 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Jare Oguntibeju in action for the Glasgow Warriors U23 team (Image: Glasgow Warriors) A Glasgow Warriors under-23 side ran in eight tries in a comprehensive 52-20 victory over Benetton earlier today. Kerr Yule scored twice, while the other Warriors tries came from Ryan Burke, Johnny Ventisei, Kerr Johnston, Macenzzie Duncan and Jack Oliver, the son of late Scotland cap Greig.
Edinburgh Rugby offer encouraging update on Duhan van der Merwe injury

5 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

British and Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe is back in training and ahead of schedule in his return from an ankle injury. Van der Merwe has not played since he limped out of Edinburgh Rugby's United Rugby Championship (URC) win over Dragons on March 28. He underwent surgery on his ankle last month but on Thursday was named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.
Glasgow Warriors boss tips Scotland pair to shine in Lions midfield

5 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Glasgow pair Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones Franco Smith believes Glasgow pair Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones could line up in the British and Irish Lions midfield against Australia but played down his role in the club contributing four players to Andy Farrell’s squad. The centre pair have formed a relationship for club and country which they will hope to take into the summer’s tour, and Smith believes their partnership could prove a crucial factor.
Following in the footsteps of a childhood hero: Huw Jones' Lions dream come true

5 days ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Gavin Harper

Huw Jones poses with a Lions jersey at Scotstoun (Image: Craig Watson) Playing for the British and Irish Lions means following in the footsteps of rugby greats and Huw Jones hopes to emulate the iconic Brian O’Driscoll when he pulls on the famous red number 13 jersey this summer. O’Driscoll was a star of the 2001 tour to Australia, with his mesmeric solo try in the first Test one of the tourists’ all-time greats.
Sean Everitt backs 'fighter' Darcy Graham to respond after Lions omission

6 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Darcy Graham (Image: SNS Group) Edinburgh Rugby boss Sean Everitt has backed Darcy Graham to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on a place in the British and Irish Lions squad. The Scotland wing was widely expected to be among Andy Farrell’s squad when it was named in London yesterday but missed out to Ireland’s Mack Hansen.
Son of late Scotland international handed Glasgow Warriors start in Italy

6 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Jack Oliver during a Glasgow Warriors training session (Image: SNS) Jack Oliver, the son of late Scotland international Greig, will start for Glasgow Warriors in an under-23 match against Benetton on Saturday. The scrum-half, who is contracted with Munster, has been training with the Warriors with a view to joining the club this summer. Oliver was born in Melrose but grew up in Ireland and has represented his adopted nation at under-20s level.
Talking points as 'flashy' Finn Russell and bolter Pollock make Lions squad

6 days ago | scotlandrugbynews.com | Gavin Harper

Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson and Scott Cummings are the forwards, while Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe are all included in the back division. Glasgow Warriors’ contingent of four is the second most, along with Premiership champions Northampton Saints and behind only Leinster, who provide 12 of the 15 Ireland players selected.