Sean Everitt believes Edinburgh can match Glasgow by winning the URC

In a system designed and orchestrated by Scottish Rugby to provide, in theory, two professional teams of equal talent and potential, Warriors’ show of strength also served to highlight the failings of their domestic rivals who, for the second successive season, didn’t even make it to the playoffs.

Sean Everitt, however, insists he is inspired rather than cowed by Glasgow’s achievements and sees no reason why his Edinburgh side can’t go on to emulate it in the years ahead.

The capital side didn’t finish miles behind their adversaries in the URC table but late season struggles and a lack of try bonus points ultimately proved their undoing in their quest to reach the post-season.

Everitt, though, cut an upbeat figure as he spoke earlier today at a Rugby on the Road event at Linlithgow Rugby Club attended by a throng of young and eager Edinburgh fans who took the chance to play on the pitch with their heroes.

Among their number were a few who had turned up in Warriors’ jerseys, no doubt revelling in their club’s recent success. But Everitt believes he can deliver that winning feeling to Hive Stadium, too.

“Congratulations to Glasgow,” said the head coach. “I think what that’s done for us is given us belief that we are a team that can win the URC as well. I mean, we did beat Glasgow in the 1872 Cup in the second game.

“I don’t believe that we’re far off. But Glasgow doing that for Scotland - we can look at them as an example of where we can be. They’ve set the tone now for Edinburgh Rugby.”

To get to that stage Edinburgh will first have to learn from last season’s mistakes and Everitt revealed that process is well underway.

“We’ve looked at where we fell short and have strengthened the squad in certain areas from a recruitment point of view,” he added. “Glasgow scored a lot of tries last season and it’s something we need to do as well if we want to compete in the play-offs. It’s all very well getting to the play-offs but you need to compete in the play-offs and you need an all-round game.”

Everitt admitted that the painful end to Edinburgh season was something that had stayed with him throughout the summer.

“It did,” added the South African. “We stayed in the race right up until the last game. So it does stay with you and it’s hard to get over that disappointment when you’ve done so much right. It was a difficult season for Edinburgh with a new coach coming in and having to integrate players into my style and my thoughts. We have to get over the disappointment but it gives us something to build on.”

Visitors to Linlithgow would have been heartened to see both Darcy Graham and Emiliano Boffelli taking part in the open training session.

Graham sat out the last four months of the season with a groin injury that saw him also miss the Scotland tour of the Americas but has recovered well.

“It’s exciting for us that Darcy is fit and back into full training,” added Everitt. “He’s going to enjoy his first pre-season for a long time. Missing him last season was massive for us, a guy that played eight times the previous season and scored 12 tries.

“It was great that he was able to fully recover and [Scotland] didn’t rush him back, so well done to the Scottish management for that. He’s a player who’s really important to them and really important to Edinburgh. We’re enjoying the fact that we’re able to have him for a pre-season and we’re able to monitor his load without him stressing about getting back on the playing pitch.”

Boffelli is a bit further behind in his rehab from a back injury but should be fit for the URC opener against Leinster on September 20.

“He started running today and his return to play date is September 9 if he doesn’t have any setbacks. But it looks at this stage that we’ll have a full squad to select from going into the first game of the season against Leinster at home.

“It’s great to have Darcy and Boff both back. They bring energy, experience, leadership and that X-factor that you need.”