Cockerill - great to get the win

• 23 April 2021
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Head Coach Richard Cockerill was proud of his side's performance as a youthful Edinburgh Rugby team overcame a first-half deficit to claim victory against Zebre in Round 1 of the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup.

Trailing 7-13 at the break, the capital side fought back in the second period with tries from Matt Currie and eventual Player of the Match Luke Crosbie sealing the deserved victory.

"I'm really pleased for the players. We’ve had a couple of good weeks training, and as we spoke about before the game, some guys getting some opportunities and that’s a bit of a risk because obviously you could end up losing," said Cockerill.

"We’ve had a good spirit in the camp with the test boys coming back. They’ve all helped this week to prepare these guys to play, so as a club we’re in good fettle with great team spirit."

"It's just great to get the win. Developing players is great and giving them the opportunities and winning at the same time is a thing that really makes the difference."

With the younger players in the line-up stepping up from the get-go, Crosbie in particular impressed at the breakdown, where he led by example throughout the contest.

"I thought the youngsters were really good. I thought Luke Crosbie - Player of the Match and as captain - led really well. I thought Matt Currie at 13 had a really good game as well. Across the whole team they were solid.

"We were under pressure, we got ourselves behind, but we found a way to win. The effort and the mentality of the group was great across the board.

"There’s a great spirit within the team, we’ve been working really hard together and it’s great for the whole squad because it gives us a really good lift. We can have a good training week next week and then look forward to Glasgow the week after."

The capital side now prepare to face Glasgow Warriors in a fortnight in a contest that will decide the 1872 Cup - and Cockerill is looking forward to the challenge that awaits his side at Scotstoun.

"We’ll pay the fixture it’s respect because it’s due that. We’ll be picking what we think is our best team to go and play Glasgow simple as that. We’re going there to win and there’s other opportunities to blood guys in.

"We’ve got a good squad. Those test guys need to play as well. They’ve got some big tours coming up hopefully.

"They’ll be fresh, they’ll be revitalised and we always know that the Edinburgh v Glasgow games are always going to be tasty."