Sam Skinner admits Edinburgh must find a “killer instinct” in order to make games safe and secure a place in the end-of-season play-offs.
The capital club were 16-3 ahead against Ospreys on Friday night before the Welsh side launched a second half comeback that brought them to within four points.
Better execution of a five-metre lineout may have won the visitors the game at Hive Stadium, so Skinner was pleased to have secured another important win.
“It is a really important win but five points would have been helpful because we need them. It’s a competitive league.
“They had some players there who know how to win games of rugby. They were smart, they took their chances when they got them and they were clever about what they did.”
On a wet and windy night in the capital, Ben Healy kicked four penalties and converted Hamish Watson’s first half try for a 14-point haul.
READ MORE: Edinburgh secure valuable win over Ospreys
Skinner said while Edinburgh played the percentages well, they need to find a way of putting games to bed in a more straightforward manner.
He added: “We executed a really smart gameplan where we were disciplined, we played smart rugby and we took the points on offer.
“Not everything went our way, but when it didn’t we were calm and we exited well and we collected our points. It was almost Test match style rugby.”
Edinburgh remain well in the mix for a play-off spot, but Skinner knows they could be sitting pretty beside Leinster at the top of the table if they’d managed to pick up more bonus points.
“We’re lacking that killer punch at the minute and we’re going to need to find that because it’s costing us.
“We’re eight [wins] from 11 which is outstanding but let’s be brutal, we’re in a battle when we could be quite comfortable if we’d been more ruthless.
“That’s where we are. It’s a lot better than we were last year at this point, but we’ve just got to find that killer instinct."
Skinner, who missed the first half of the campaign through injury, was one of eight Scotland squad members released by Gregor Townsend for the game.
Having come off the bench for Scotland against France and England, he was pleased to get valuable minutes under his belt
The former Exeter man said: “I’m now six games in and if you told me I’d be here now having only played my first game against Gloucester, I’d bite your arm off.
“I’m just doing my best and trying to play good rugby. We’ve got other players in the same position also playing bloody good rugby.”
There was also praise for the impact of Healy, another of the returning internationalists who Skinner compared to former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton.
Healy is the league’s top points scorer this term and though he’s played only three minutes of Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, has been an ever-present for Edinburgh in the URC.
Skinner said: “He’s a really good leader. He’s a Johnny Sexton-style player in the sense that he bosses us around the park.
“His boot is a cannon and that’s a real weapon for us. He’s been a fantastic addition for us.”
Skinner spoke to the media for the first time since his controversial drive for the line at the end of the France match was deemed ‘no try’ by the officials.
He said it was a “kick in the nuts”, but says the incident is all in the past and holds no ill-will towards referee Nic Berry.
READ MORE: Gregor Townsend 'gutted' after Scotland lose to France
“It’s what makes sport great, but it’s so rubbish for us,” the 29-year-old said.
"I know I scored it but at the same time we’ve moved on. It’s sport. I wouldn’t want to be a referee.”
Scotland travel to Rome knowing they must win to keep their championship hopes alive, while also hoping Ireland don’t pick up maximum points from their trip to Twickenham.
Skinner says he’s looking forward to linking up with the national squad again, including “complete player” Finn Russell.
"We’ve got such an exciting squad with depth,” the Edinburgh lock said.
“The coaching set-up, we’ve genuinely got world-class coaches where they give us a clear gameplan.
“Finn is the complete player – we've got total faith in him. It’s a great environment to be in. As a person and player, you get to go in and give it your best.”
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