Scottish Rugby

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Hector Patterson says Edinburgh's attacking style suits his game after the 21-year-old was rewarded with an improved contract.

The new terms, which run until the end of the 2027-28 season, take effect immediately and improve on the scrum-half's first professional contract from earlier this year.

Patterson has started all four of Edinburgh's matches this season and scored in the opening-round URC win against Ulster in Belfast.

"I'm really proud to have signed a new deal with Edinburgh. This is my club and I honestly didn't want to be anywhere else," he said.

"I love the direction we're heading in this season and the attacking style that's been brought in suits the way I want to play.

"We've got a great group of young players coming through, alongside some really experienced guys who do a brilliant job of leading the squad.

"It's an exciting time to be at Edinburgh. There's a lot ahead of us and I can't wait to be part of it."

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Scotland international Alex Craig has extended his contract with Glasgow Warriors until the summer of 2029.

The 29-year-old became a key member of the Scotstoun forward pack in making 16 appearances last season in his first campaign with the club.

Craig marked his first outing of this term by scoring his first Glasgow try in the 47-27 away victory over Sale Sharks last weekend.

Craig's contract extension comes 24 hours after fellow lock Alex Samuel signed a new deal.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Craig said.

"It was a really easy decision to be honest - I loved my first season with the club, and I'm really excited to see what we can achieve as a group."

Andy Burke and Tom English chat to Tavi Tuipulotu, brother of Scotland captain Sione and Edinburgh's Mosese, after he marked his Glasgow debut with a try.

Tavi talks about the chaos of growing up in the Tuipulotu household and why he dreams of running out for Scotland.

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Scotland lock Alex Samuel says it was an "easy decision" to sign a new contract with Glasgow Warriors.

The 23-year-old has made 58 appearances for Franco Smith's side and played a prominent role in last season's table-topping URC campaign.

Samuel, who won the first of his four Scotland caps two years ago, is eager to continue improving for club and country once he recovers from a knee injury.

"I'm looking forward to the next few years, and with the way the club is moving it was a pretty easy decision to stay," he said.

"I've obviously been fortunate enough to play a lot of games in the last year or so, which has certainly allowed me to keep improving my game. The environment here is second to none and that's really put me in the best position possible for my own development.

"It's great fun coming to work every day with your mates, and with guys that you've grown up playing alongside. It makes everything so much easier and I feel like we're really building something together here at Scotstoun.

"I just want to keep improving and put my hand up for selection once I'm back fully fit. I'd obviously love to play for Scotland more as well, but first things first I've got to get myself back into the best form possible for Glasgow and give my all for the club."

Head coach Smith says Samuel is a "great influence" at the club, adding: "He provides a physical edge both with and without the ball, regularly putting in the hard work to put his team in the best position possible."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ruwald van der Merwe says he and his new family are loving life in Scotland and feels Glasgow Warriors are the ideal club to take his game "to the next level".

After making the move from the Airlink Pumas to become the first new Scotsoun arrival in the summer, the big South African forward - who says he's happy to play anywhere across the back row - is relishing the learning curve.

"Coming here, it's quite evident from the first few training sessions that there's a lot of space for improvement," said Van der Merwe.

"So I've been learning a lot, especially skill wise. In South Africa we play a much more physical brand of rugby, whereas here my experience has been it's not maybe as physical but the skills are much better and the pace of the game is also quite quick so that's something I have to adapt to.

"The coaching and the players have all been great leading up to my debut in just developing small areas of my game."

As well as building his game, Van der Merwe has just started a family, which meant there was someone extra with him and his wife when they made the move to Glasgow.

"We've got a 10-month-old daughter so moving across with a small baby is obviously a big decision," he explained.

"I did speak to Henco Venter and Nathan McBeth as well. They're in sort of similar situations. So yeah, they just motivated me to do it. She's still small. So yeah, she's actually adapting really well in Scotland. I think she likes the cold weather.

"There's a lot of small kids at the club. So yeah, it's been good. And all the girls have also been really welcoming to my wife."

Having just made his debut in the bonus-point win at Sale in the Champions Cup, Van der Merwe was given an early indication of the standards expected at his new club and the pressure to deliver.

"The standard of the club is really high," he said. "It's quite evident that this is the next level. Standards are high, obviously more pressure on games and you're expected to perform on the next level.

"So I think the players at this club make it so easy because they lift you up with them. I just think of playing next to someone like Sione Tuipulotu this weekend. He's so experienced and helped me on the field. Rory Darge as well and Scott Cummings.

"The boys have been great helping me adapt to this next level."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

One swallow does not make a summer and one defeat does not mean disaster.

Yes, this was a first-ever defeat to Toulon in four meetings and it probably wasn't a 100% first-choice team they sent.

It was also our least accurate display of the season to date and yet until Toulon's last score in the 65th minute we were in the game and deserved to take something from it.

If there's a worry it is this. If you had to rate Edinburgh performances so far this season from one to four - one being the highest - this game would be four and the order of the rest would follow the calendar.

If our lineout won us the game against Stormers it was a key part in the losing of this one. Toulon stole a number of Edinburgh throws and varied their own inputs very effectively.

It wasn't the only key as our own inaccuracies, particularly from the restarts along with the decision to pass up at least nine easy penalty points, all contributed.

Add to that some shockingly poor passing and an attack that was for the most part ineffective and somewhat predictable.

For balance though this loss has to be considered in the light Toulon have been the best team we have played this season and their power, sheer size and overall ability outstrips anything we have faced.

After 30 minutes, possession and territory were firmly in Toulon's favour with both in the 70% region and they only had three points to show for it.

By the end of the match we were ahead on possession and had closed the territory gap substantially, but the previously mentioned inaccuracies and Toulon's smarts kept them ahead on the best statistic, the scoresheet.

We have work to do but this match makes clear what areas we need to target if there had been any doubt on that front.

It is a wound but not one we can't overcome across the scope of the tournament and I hope we don't start dismissing it because I don't think we've yet earned the right to be picky about where we put forward the best efforts.

It does increase the pressure for a good result this week against Lions as I've no doubt the 'bubble has burst' comments which are already circulating will become prominent.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch, external

We want your questions for our rugby expert Andy Burke after a packed weekend of action.

Glasgow secured an impressive bonus-point victory away to Sale in the Champions Cup, while Edinburgh suffered their first defeat of the season, going down to Toulon in the Challenge Cup.

Scotland's women also suffered defeat, going down to Australia in a chastening eight-try loss in their WXV Global Series match in Sydney.

Send us your questions via this link, and a selection will be answered and published on this page later in the week.

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Former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie has demonstrated his leadership qualities without setting foot on a pitch in a Glasgow shirt, says Warriors assistant coach Nigel Carolan.

The 30-year-old is poised for his Warriors debut this weekend after an injury-hit start to his career at Scotstoun.

Having spent 11 years with Edinburgh after joining the club straight from school, Ritchie left the capital side at the end of the 2024-25 season to move to France.

It may be odd for to see a player so connected to Edinburgh in a Warriors shirt, but Carolan is already seeing signs of leadership from Ritchie - who was handed the Perpignan captaincy in his debut season.

"I didn't know Jamie really until he came to the club. He's quiet. He doesn't bang drums and make too much noise," said Carolan.

"He quietly goes about his business and I've certainly seen his leadership style and how effective it is in the short time he's been here.

"I think he knows when to push buttons and what buttons to press with certain players, but he's a player that leads by example.

"He doesn't have to do too much talking and doesn't need to raise his voice too much to be heard because I think when he does speak, people listen to him. I can't wait until gets his first game to see how he integrates with us."

Warriors are second in the United Rugby Championship table and face Benetton in Italy this weekend.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow back their fitness

Sale flew out of the blocks in this Champions Cup opener and deservedly led 12-0 after just eight minutes.

However, Glasgow rolled with the punches and slowly but surely turned the tide, fighting back to lead 21-15 at half-time.

Then in the second-half, Glasgow proved too strong for their Prem opponents, running in four tries as their bench added energy and heft.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu spoke post-match about how Glasgow know they can deliver 80-minute performances and therefore weren't fazed by Sale's fast start.

The Warriors' conditioning and confidence bodes well as they try to go deep in the URC and in Europe.

Maul does damage again & Van der Merwe impresses

Since head coach Franco Smith took charge, Glasgow's maul has been a potent weapon and it delivered the goods again.

Three of Glasgow's tries came directly from that source.

Regardless of who starts in the Warriors pack, their maul causes opposition teams problems.

Summer signing Ruwald van der Merwe made his Glasgow debut in Salford and showed his qualities with several powerful carries.

Given Jack Dempsey's departure, Van der Merwe has big shoes to fill, but this was a solid start.

Tearaway Tavi is a talent

One beneficiary of Glasgow's maul was debutant Tavi Tuipulotu, who scored Glasgow's seventh try of the game.

It was an impressive cameo for the youngest Tuipulotu brother, who has had to bide his time for a first Warriors appearance after a long-term injury.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity," he said.

"To get the dub with a good group of boys and my brother on the field, it doesn't get better than that."

With Seb Stephen, Gregor Hiddleston and Tuipulotu in the mix, Glasgow's young cohort of hookers is incredibly exciting.

We asked for your thoughts on Edinburgh's defeat by Toulon in the Challenge Cup on Friday and Glasgow Warriors' Champions Cup win over Sale Sharks, which started with an emotional minute's silence on Saturday following the sudden death of the hosts' former lock, Hyron Andrews.

Here's a selection of your replies:

Edinburgh

Doug: First up, congrats to Toulon, the better team winning the night. That said, it's difficult when playing against 16 men. No ref will be perfect, but it felt at times he was looking for reasons to penalise Edinburgh yet strived to give Toulon the benefit of the doubt on countless occasions. At the end of the day, we just want consistent and equal officiating. Same problem exists in the URC.

Steve: This wasn't a terrible performance and it's testament to Edinburgh that Toulon brought a strong team. However, aerially we were poor and we really missed McConnell at the line-out particularly. We still struggle to score from close range, which is a bit perplexing, even with a defence as good as Toulon's. Perhaps a new approach is required there. I don't know why so many Edinburgh players were venting at referee Ben Breakspear. It wasn't helpful, but mercifully he didn't take it to heart and I thought he had a pretty good game.

Moira: Toulon are a tough team and their new coach has them playing a basic strong, physical game and they fully deserved the win. Edinburgh struggled a bit receiving Toulon restarts and got very little in the aerial battle. Ewan Ashman has continued this season where he ended last season with exceptional performances. His sprinting speed is incredible for a forward, let alone a front row. Good to see Darcy Graham getting a good run out.

Simon: Ultimately, Toulon had quality players where Edinburgh didn't, predominantly in the backs. Schoeman, Bradbury and Ashman all put in huge shifts and that try by Ashman was world class - unbelievable pace.

Stair: Edinburgh resorted to the kick chase game, which they are less than competent at. Aimless box kicking gave possession away time after time. This cost us the game. Other aspects of this game were really good. Defence was heroic. Freddy Douglas is a superstar. Shame that Darcy was given so little ball. He is electric. Pierre was a wrecking ball. Good performances but totally wrong tactics. Same old, same old.

Stuart: Not the win Edinburgh wanted, but some players showed their class. Graham looks like he hasn't been out injured and Douglas is making a big claim to start for Scotland.

Glasgow Warriors

Scotty: While it was great to get the five points (and away from home at that), up front we regularly came off second best. Having said this, Euan Ferrie was an unsung hero. Our lack of physicality is a worry if we want to go deep in the tournament. Our backs turned up as always, but we do need a more aggressive and abrasive approach from the start when facing more experienced and bigger sides.

Kath: Sale started with a lot of energy, but that level dropped of after 15-20mins - understandable given the emotion surrounding the match. Terribly sad situation for Sale team and coaches. Thought Glasgow took advantage well. With that all-in maul you could put my nan in as hooker and she would've scored a couple of tries. But both young hookers did look okay for Glasgow - bit rough round the edges but decent lumps.

Iain: A good bonus-point win, especially with the new criteria. However, we need to stop giving the opposition an early foothold. A stronger team would make it more difficult for us to get back into the game.

Tom: Our backs are excellent and our forwards won plenty of ball even though our scrum and maul were under pressure. But the link, i.e. Lancaster, is a worry and we don't seem to have an understudy. Kyle Steyn is excellent at chasing restarts, but Lancaster kicks too long. We are a very good side with an obvious weakness.

Stuart: A gritty win against a strong side. A lot of silly mistakes that cost points. Great to see the new faces performing well on their debuts too.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Hive Stadium

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Toulon class wins the day

Edinburgh showed plenty of heart to keep coming back at Toulon, but the French side's class proved too much in the end.

Melvyn Jaminet was the game's outstanding player, with two tries – including one world-class individual score – and 22 points to lead his side to victory.

Edinburgh twice responded brilliantly to falling 10 points down with good tries, but Toulon never allowed them to get back into a position to get their noses in front.

The home side's botched attempts to deal with the restarts after their tries certainly did not help.

Much like they showed when knocking Glasgow Warriors out of the Champions Cup last season, the former European champions demonstrated excellent game management to navigate through difficult moments and pull away for victory.

Scotland star White on point

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will have been pleased with the performance of Ben White.

The Scotland scrum-half was quietly excellent, with his kicking game helping Toulon to dominate the aerial battle.

White's lovely double-pump pass put a try on a plate for Seta Tuicuvu and, despite a heavy strapping on his leg, he looked sharp throughout.

With the Scotland squad named next week for the November internationals, White looks to be arriving in good form.

Douglas the disruptor

It feels a little unimaginative to highlight Freddie Douglas's work at the breakdown, but it really is quite freakish how regularly the 21-year-old burgles the opposition of the ball.

It started with a timely stripping of the ball when Toulon were mauling their way into the danger zone in the first half.

Then there was a crucial steal on the floor in the shadow of the Edinburgh posts.

Douglas forced four turnovers, more than any other player on the pitch, and it will be fascinating to see if Townsend looks to deploy his poaching skills against New Zealand, Australia and Japan next month.

Glasgow Warriors pulled away to record an impressive bonus-point victory over Sale Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup at an emotional CorpAcq Stadium.

Read the match report

Have your say on the game

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With Sione named as player of the match and Tavi making his debut, it was a memorable afternoon for the Tuipulotu family as Glasgow started their Champions Cup campaign with a seven-try win at Sale.

Tavi was a late addition to the Glasgow bench after Gregor Hiddleston withdrew from the matchday squad and after coming on in the second half, he got on the scoresheet with his first try for the club.

"Stick in the back [of a maul] and get some points on the board - how good," the younger Tuipulotu brother said.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity. To get the dub with a good group of boys and my brother on the field, it doesn't get better than that."

Scotland star Sione said it was a dream come true to share the field with Tavi.

"It was an emotional week - my brother got his debut and I was more excited for him to play than myself," he said.

"We put out a massive team performance and we knew that was what it was going to take. Massively proud of the group.

"It genuinely can't get better - you dream of that when you're a kid. To play European rugby with my brother, I thank God for it. It's a massive blessing for me and my family. Stoked that he got his debut today."

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Malelili Satala says a failure to do the basics let Edinburgh down in their Challenge Cup defeat by Toulon on Friday.

After a tightly-contested first half, Toulon scored three second-half tries to earn a 27-17 victory.

"First half, I don't really know how to explain, it was like an arm wrestle," Satala said.

"We knew we had to pick up the speed in the second half, but simple skills we need to sharpen up.

"We're going to keep trying to fight and come back, even when it seems like it's impossible. We weren't afraid to move the pill, but you can't win a game with that amount of conceded penalties.

"We're not going to roll over. We will take learnings and come back."

Edinburgh suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down to Toulon in their European Challenge Cup opener.

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Have your say on the game

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt spoke to BBC Scotland after his side's Challenge Cup defeat by Toulon:

"You have to take the positives - our defence was really good. We gave them a lot of possession with the turnovers we conceded, so to keep them out, I'm pleased with that and the fight they showed to stay in the game.

"From a negative side, it wasn't the performance we wanted. We've conceded 26 turnovers and they won the aerial battle, so we couldn't impose ourselves.

"Just fundamental errors. We know if you don't exit properly, you're going to put yourself under pressure.

"[Magnus Bradbury] picked up a niggle in the week and managed to get through the game. We'll see how he is for next week.

"There's a lot of growth with the youngsters, to be able to play against top-level opposition like this. They will learn every week and they have got better every week.

"We're happy with the start [to the season]. Maybe it's one step backwards in a way, but we'll look forwards to next week and learn from this."