It’s impossible to deny that the 2023/24 campaign ended in disappointment for Edinburgh as they missed out on the URC play-offs, but that’s not suppressed Sean Everitt’s ambitions ahead of the new season. Irish heavyweights Leinster present difficult opponents for Edinburgh’s season opener at the Hive Stadium on Friday night as they aim to put on a show for a near-capacity crowd.

Edinburgh occupied the top five positions for the majority of the last season before their form nosedived in the closing weeks as they crashed out of the play-off places. In Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, Edinburgh have two of the best wingers in the world within their ranks, which also features a string of experienced internationals. Far from being dispirited by last season’s collapse, Everitt has issued an ambitious target to his players - a top four finish and reaching the Challenge Cup final. 

“We didn’t achieve our targets from last year,” Everitt conceded. “So for me we will know we are a team that can finish in the top eight, and we also know that we are a team that sat in the top five, for the majority of the season 

“So, we have set our bar quite high. We would like to finish in the top four. We also feel that we can compete in the knock-out stage of the Challenge Cup, if not contest the final. The important thing is for us to prepare to win each week. 

“In professional sport, I know it is difficult to go unbeaten every single week, but as long as you prepare to win every week you’ve got an opportunity. So, that’s our short-term goal, and we know that it is a process, and if we get that right every week then we should end up where we want to be.”

Edinburgh’s disappointment last season was compounded by their rivals Glasgow Warriors completing the incredible achievement of winning the URC. This summer, Everitt has doubled down on his assertion that little separated Scotland’s two professional outfits and he insists Edinburgh are a better side than last season. 

“Very much so,” Everitt replied when asked if Edinburgh are stronger this season.  “Last year was quite disrupted because we didn’t have everyone here for the pre-season. I know we have some people arriving later than normal, but we’ve had a minimum of five weeks together for everyone to prepare, which we didn’t have last year and was really tough for the players.

“Last year we had guys coming back from the World Cup and having only two days to prepare before the Dragons game, so it is chalk and cheese to what we had. The numbers we have at training now is really different to what we had last year, so we are really well prepared.”

Questions were asked of Edinburgh’s leadership group after they failed to achieve their play-off target last season but it was announced on Monday that Grant Gilchrist and Ben Vellacott will remain as co-captains. 

Everitt has refused to ‘scapegoat’ the experienced duo for poor in-game decision making as he highlighted Gilchrist’s standing with Scotland coach Gregor Townsend. 

He said: “I suppose everyone points fingers at leadership when it comes down to decisions at the end of the game … whether you go for poles or the line-out. You choose one and if it doesn’t work out then everyone says you should have done the other thing. So, it is easy when you are sitting in the stand, but it is different when you have a feel from being part of the game.

“It wasn’t a lack of leadership which cost us our top eight position, that’s for sure. If you were to speak to Gregor Townsend, he’ll tell you that Grant is probably one of the best captains Scotland have had, so we don’t question individuals when it is a team sport.

“I think the club has gone through enough change over the last 12 months to also change leadership which is working really well. As we know, they complement each other. When Gilco is on international duty or needs a bit of a break, Ben steps in and takes over. It is good to have two leaders in the group.”

Edinburgh will be boosted by Scotland international Graham’s triumphant try-scoring return from injury after eight months out against Gloucester last week. The 27-year-old and Argentina international Emiliano Boffelli will be available to ensure a full squad for Edinburgh against Leinster. 

“They’re all fit,” Everitt confirmed. “They all got through the 40 minutes and I think it was good for them to get through that. If you look at the intensity of training and the 15 v 15 session we had against each other, that just confirms that they’re fit enough and ready to go for the 80. We’ve got a full squad to pick from this week which is great.”