Sean Everitt is the man for Edinburgh despite Benetton loss

Team announcements came on Friday and with Wes Goosen injured, Emiliano Boffelli recovering from surgery, Harry Paterson not quite fully fit yet and Darcy  Graham still working back to fitness the biggest issue seemed to be what to do at fullback.

Sean had spoken earlier in the week about his dilemma and his options so seeing James Lang at fullback with Jake Henry back from injury on the wing wasn’t a total surprise, but more of an eyebrow raise.

READ MORE: Edinburgh boss Sean Everitt explains James Lang fullback call

It feels like our centres have been experiencing quite a broad spectrum of positions this season. Benetton went strong as expected, both teams needed the win.

After a prolonged journey to get to Treviso due to plane issues the squad arrived and matchday descended. A number of Edinburgh fans had travelled over and even our fans group flag was on the trip and ready to be waved.

We’d connected with the Benetton Supporters Group before the match so the fans could meet after the match. I have many reports back on how friendly and welcoming they were.

I’d opted for the pub with friends’ option rather than the hiding behind the sofa option which was suggested earlier in the week. I may have regretted that decision.

Benetton were too good for Edinburgh on Saturday (Image: Alfo Guarise/INPHO/Shutterstock)

Luke Crosbie ran out first to commemorate his 100th match and we were underway. Within the first couple of minutes things looked bright as Alessandro Izekor was yellow carded for not retreating 10m but this was short-lived when Ignacio Mendy broke through to score Benetton’s first try. 

Our first points came from the boot of Ben Healy in the 24th minute and was followed four minutes later by another giving us a narrow one-point lead. It didn’t last long though as Onisi Ratave snatched the ball as it slid from Matt Currie and scored with Rhyno Smith adding the extras. Half time and still all to play for with the score 12-6

The second half started rather uneventfully, knock ons on both sides, a bit of kicking and an almost try by Benetton which was not given due to a double movement. Our forwards subs (Cherry, Venter, Sebastian and Sykes) came on and almost immediately Thomas Albornoz ran in for Benetton’s third try and at this point, they just seemed to pick us apart. A further two tries from Izekor meant the full time score was 31-6 and as quick as that our season ended.

READ MORE: Grant Gilchrist 'devastated' after Edinburgh loss to end season

Undoubtedly it’s a disappointing way to end the season. A season which started with us wondering what we would do with all our back three players (how will we fit in Kinghorn, Boffelli, Goosen, Paterson, Graham and Van Der Merwe) and ended with James Lang having to fill in at fullback.

While we are often unlucky with injuries it’s not normally all around the same position, usually it’s spread out around the pitch a bit more.

We were outplayed by Benetton, they pushed us and we made mistakes. We needed a performance similar to the one we had against Munster but we ended up with one more like the last time we played Benetton.

I like to be honest in my opinions and it was not pretty.

READ MORE: Rob Robertson: Edinburgh's collapse was embarrassing in Treviso

Since the match though I have seen a number of comments calling for Everitt’s head. People wanting him to resign or criticising the SRU for extending his contract too soon. I absolutely don’t agree with these comments.

Firstly, were the SRU really going to wait until the end of the season to renew his contract. His contract was only a year to start with to give him a chance to see if he would settle and to bring him in line with the rest of the coaching team who were all due to renew at the end of this season.

New deals for the whole coaching team were announced a few months ago. If this hadn’t been announced we would have all been up in arms that we didn’t yet know who our head coach would be next season.

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt (Image: SNS Images)

As for those who are calling for him to resign - it’s his first season in charge, he only came in just before the season started and is working with an entirely inherited team which was low on confidence after last season. Any coach needs time to build the team.

I’ve defended Sean Everitt a few times in my column now and was asked yesterday if I really do believe he is the right man for the job – absolutely I do.

READ MORE: Why Sean Everitt is the man to take Edinburgh to the top

I understand others don’t hold the same opinion as I do and that’s fine I have no issue if you disagree but personally I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Sean yet and I’m excited to see what next year brings.

The new fixtures for next season were announced last week and we have a very tough start to the season with Leinster at home followed by our trip to South Africa to face the Bulls and the Lions.

It’ll be a baptism of fire and will give us a chance to see where we stand early in the season. It’s nice to have these matches when we should have a full compliment as the last few years we have gone to South Africa around six nations time.

So for now I’ll have the summer blues while I wait for the new season then I’ll be back in the middle of the Lothian stand cheering and singing as I’ve done all this season.