Edinburgh v Connacht Pro 12 Rugby

Edinburgh had a vital win against Scarlets here last week but tonight

face 18 top of the Pro12. Five games unbeaten, this will be anything but

easy. Edinburgh against Connacht. It is good to have you with us. A cold

evening here in Edinburgh. It will be a tough one tonight against top

of the table Connacht, who come in on confident form. Andy Nicol, they

were happy with the performance last week and their resilience but they

will have to show is a real performance this evening.

They are against a better side tonight. Connacht at home would have

had a guaranteed victory. They have had the continuity in the selection

and it has made a huge difference. If Edinburgh want to get into the

play-offs and they want to be successful in that regard, they have

to try and beat the likes of Connacht.

They will want to finish in the top four. The final in May here in

Murrayfield. It is all about Connacht. You are joining us in the

company of our commentary team. Not that long ago, it would have

been more or less in conceding all -- inconceivable to be billing this

game against fifth-place Edinburgh. They are in with a shout of getting

in the top four. Connacht can't afford to lose it either. Connacht

clipped the Osprey's wings. They have made four changes from the team

that beat the Ospreys. Nathan White has played three times in the six

Nations for Ireland. Quinn who plays his first game of 2016 and the

captain returns for his first Pro12 game of this season. They may not be

household names in Scottish terms but they have been playing some good

rugby and winning some very good results, which have taken them to

the top of the league. As we hit round of 17, remarkably, in the

Guinness Pro12. The Edinburgh team in the red and black kit.

A warm welcome from a thin crowd, perhaps influenced by the very scary

weather forecast. It is an ideal night for rugby. Only one victory

against Connacht in their last games for Edinburgh. A familiar look to

the back row. Chris Dean comes in from the bench. The captain, Neil

Cochrane, again at hooker. The replacements, once again. Edinburgh

looks to have some strength in depth, despite the fact they have

nine injuries, five internationals away. And plenty of book and case on

the Connacht bench. A Welsh man is in charge. Ben Whitehouse.

Connacht have the ball and we'll get this game underway, playing from

left to right. Edinburgh in the red and black traditional outfit. Trying

to repeat the performance of last week, when they ground out the

result against the Scarlets. Both teams disposing of Welsh opposition.

And coming into this game with everything at stake, really. The

competition reaches its critical moments. And testing times in the

opening stages. Chris Paterson, they are not a set of household names,

the Scottish team, but a very good team.

A very good team. We can see how they are going to come and play

tonight. Enterprising stuff. The Edinburgh defence is as strong

as it has always been. The first penalty to Edinburgh. We were

pointing out earlier, Chris, that although they have scored a lot of

Christ, they have conceded 35 tries, nearly double the amount Edinburgh

have conceded. It is due to the fact they have laid

some expansive teams. Richie getting on top of the ball, earning the

penalty. The head coach, Pat Lam, has wrought the expansive style to

the Irish team. Good from Edinburgh. A good

attacking position. In the right territory as far as the city is

concerned. The explosive Hamish Watson. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne with this

very welcome match time. Holding the Edinburgh players up. Plenty of men

for Edinburgh. Ball in hand, taking the game to the

opposition, like they were last week. Out it comes again. A good

opportunity here. Blair Kinghorn on the left-hand side. Having to range

a long pass. This time, Connacht. Straight over the ball. A good

example there of how they close the game down.

He eventually wins a penalty. A well-organised defence. Buckley,

number one, strong over the ball. His arms are not resting on the

floor. A good decision. Edinburgh had a good phase of possession. They

kept the ball close to the breakdown. A bit of space on the

outside edge would have challenged a bit more. It is crucial to keep

possession. 17 stone Buckley. We are just having

a look at the flags on the East side, favouring Connacht at the

moment. Left to right. Kieran Marmion is breaking. High tackle

advantage coming to Connacht. Just that pace. Here they come again.

Sean O'Brien takes it in. Buckley. Advantage is still being played. The

move in underneath the Edinburgh post and Ben Whitehouse calls it a

day. Round the back of the neck. And it

is going no further at the moment with that. Setting down a marker on

the way he wants the game played. After a wonderful set piece moves.

Options left, right and centre. Kieran Marmion gets the ball back

and Cornell Du Preez is there. There wasn't a swinging arm. More of a

grab. Just a penalty, no yellow card. That was an example of how

Connacht or why Connacht are top of the league. They like to play a set

piece move with some wonderful options. Like an impressive

goalkicker for Deep Throat -- for the first kick of the match. Well

within his range. He probably has the wind in his favour. Certainly

blowing left to right as we watch the game. Three conversions and

three penalties last week against the Ospreys.

Of the post. This is where the potential for countering Cancun. The

right-hand side has a magnetic quality. Over the last couple of

games, it has been rattling. The posts are still swinging from the

blow. Beautifully struck. You could tell he wasn't certain it would curl

in. It is tough from the left-hand side.

Some really good detail from Edinburgh. You can see Alex is

facing the post, looking at the post. He was waiting for that to

happen. Good discipline by the Edinburgh second row.

Here they come again, Connacht. Playing at pace. Pat Lam Coaching

the way that he plays, with strength and passion. The ball is coming

through the hands so quickly. Last week's man-of-the-match, is always a

threat. Rob Downey is certainly familiar to some Scottish rugby fans

in the middle. Donaldson taking it in. They have an extra man out wide

if they had gone wide. Patients from Connacht. The

execution. Aly Muldowney shifts it. Kieran Marmion constantly posing a

threat. And, again, through the hands to Bundee Aki. They have the

tops for a -- top scorer in the Pro12 on the right wing. It is taken

back to Blair Kinghorn... But there is no advantage. The referee takes

it back. Let's get the early thoughts of Andy Nichol at the

touchline. Really impressed with Connacht. You

can see why they are top of the Pro12. The cohesion and continuity

in selection. Their game management is good, they are running lines of

each other. It is the sign of a side full of confidence and a side that

has been together for all of these weeks so it will be a real challenge

for Edinburgh tonight. It was good defence to force the turnover but

they will be asked questions tonight they haven't been asked in the last

few weeks. I agree. That last phase of play

proved their patience. They were challenging the Edinburgh defence.

They couldn't go forward because the Connacht wall was quick.

Every single Connacht player at this stage is posing a threat and looking

confident with ball in hand. A good shot by Edinburgh. A mess, is

the technical term. This is where Edinburgh have been

strong all season, the set piece, the scrum. The front row, obviously,

the front row is with Scotland but every time Rory Sutherland and the

others have constantly delivered. It will be powerful scrum from

Edinburgh. They will want to repeat that.

As we heard, questions will be asked. Denis Buckley. They are

themselves solid rocks on which the scrum is built. Quin Roux and Aly

Muldowney behind them. And again, it is going round. This time Edinburgh

have it and a chance to prove it at the left-hand side. The referee has

called a ruck. Trying to create space but driven back by Connacht.

This time, Hidalgo-Clyne takes on the responsibility yourself and just

a quick look there from Ciaran O'Halloran.

The pressure is intense. Hidalgo-Clyne got his kick after a

lot of hard work. Edinburgh had to work hard to get the platform to

clear. Connacht sensing ascendancy, with nothing to show for it after

ten minutes. It has been virtually all Connacht,

apart from that early testing time. Well taken at the line-out. Some

momentum here for the city said. -- city

. Kieran Marmion shift it quickly. They have men on the left-hand side,

in front of the Edinburgh funds. Huddled in the biting wind in the

East stand. Again, the Edinburgh line speed is good. They go left

again, Connacht. Harlem globetrotter stuff on the left-hand side. Again,

into the wind. I'm not sure that is the best tactic into the wind,

unless the chase is better. Kieran Marmion has found a big space here

and Blair Kinghorn is going to have to watch it go out I'm afraid. If it

was tennis, it would be a vantage Connacht.

It was well managed. The initial kick was too far Connacht kick at

the right time, opening up the space to kick. Whereas Edinburgh, on both

occasions, kicked very early in the phases. After being under the cosh,

as an Edinburgh they are I would want some ball in hand and build up

the phases to build up an attack. Well taken, again. The line-out is

working smoothly at this stage., Connacht giving Edinburgh no chance

to recycle quickly. Connacht took a step early there, right in front of

Ben Whitehouse, the referee. He is playing advantage coming to

Edinburgh. Hidalgo-Clyne goes up and back he comes. Another person

inside. He is offside. Early. Nothing coming off that in

particular. A penalty and a chance for Edinburgh to relieve the

pressure. I like to see the referee having a

look for advantage. I think the game can be so structured for the most

part of the game, it is good to have an opportunity for advantage.

Offside deep in Edinburgh territory. They will commit. A lovely strike.

I don't think that with his haircut last week!

He is a good player. He is nice with ball in hand. The general consensus

is that he might be more effective in a number 12 shirt but could slot

in at number ten easily. I don't think that was quite the

plan but Edinburgh have it. The first time the line-out hasn't quite

gone to form. They have possession, which is the main thing. Phil

Burleigh has been ripped. Knock-on. He was under pressure, Chris, from

the point he had to jump to take the path.

All of the Connacht defenders are on their feet so there is very little

space for them to go to. The line speed, the speed at which the

defence can come forward, is much quicker. It put Phil Burleigh under

pressure. That ripped tackle is a tactic, going for the ball and

trying to dislodge it. It was not forward. Edinburgh are getting a lot

of set pieces to play from, they are all in their own half and very much

in favour of Connacht so far. The scrum has been stable.

An interesting setup from Edinburgh. Behind the scrum it looks like they

want to spread the ball across the field and challenge the Connacht

defence. It's going nowhere so far. It will

have to go somewhere now because the referee has said though. Here they

come at pace. Phil Burleigh switches out into the centre. And again, good

ground made by Edinburgh. This time Phil Burleigh again. He thought he

had a gap but there were men on the outside again. That has given

Connacht the chance. Being kept in play. There are five Edinburgh

players ranged across the pitch. Phil Burleigh goes the other way.

And the end result is a penalty to Connacht. From appear that look like

the wrong decision. Well, I think Edinburgh kicked too

early. Wonderful defence by Matt Healy. He chose to, the short side.

It is the safe option because it is in outside channel if they give away

a penalty but they have to have a more positive outlook, work hard and

try to get a second touch. Putting pressure through his hands on the

turf. That is the penalty from in Whitehouse. It was an opportunity

for Edinburgh to counterattack. An opportunity missed, unfortunately.

I am thinking about the point made by Chris, Matt Healy was the top

scorer in the league. A brick tackle, that is what we were talking

about. Edinburgh almost nicked it. Open play, the referee describes.

That is one way to call it! Broken play.

It is a real fight for the ball in contact, isn't it?

Straightening up. Connacht have a stack of men and the charge.

Clearing out his ruthless. Concentrating on the left-hand side

again. Here is a break. Slipping the tackle. Back it comes for Kieran

Marmion again. At the heart of everything. There is a whole line of

Connacht macro white shirts. The pressure is horrendous. Kieran

Marmion on the charge is Nathan White. Quinn group comes to ground

and the ball coming back so quickly. Ben Aki slips it to O'Halloran. A

decent attempt at the intersection rather than a deliberate knock-on.

One of these ones, if it had stuck it would have been so different.

Good refereeing from Ben Whitehouse. He didn't deserve a yellow for that.

An attempt to upset the ball. So often we see this resulting in a

penalty and the sin bin. I think we see Blair Kinghorn... It is his

chest. There should be some alarm bells ringing in the Edinburgh

defence because once again, Connacht are getting quick ball at the

breakdown. Ten or 11 phases in Edinburgh territory. The good thing

for Edinburgh is it is still 0-0. They are not registering points.

Nearly 20 minutes gone. On the clock has stopped for an injury.

Let's rejoin Andy Nicol. Looking at what is happening here tonight, he

must be impressed with Connacht tonight. When Edinburgh had the ball

in attack, I was impressed at the Connacht defence. It is the

organisation which comes from playing week in, week out. They have

been solid in defence. It will be a real challenge for Edinburgh

tonight. Well, and from so far. It is not

going to have a load of scores but I suspect sooner or later this

pressure will be a score. Keep an eye on number four men for

Connacht, Danie Poolman. Keep an eye on him.

Advantage once again going to Connacht.

It is the obvious thing to do. Good captain the. Ben White has just

asked a question. Are the players pushing early? Danie Poolman in the

wider shot, behind the scrum. Brown can't leave the blindside. Danie

Poolman goes around. It is a difficult decision. Difficult to

cover. 14-3 between Scarlett and Treviso.

Here is Danie Poolman. Three tries so far. Potency on both flanks for

Connacht. Moving inside now. Moving everybody inside. Underneath the

Edinburgh posts. Making more ground, five metres out. Kieran Marmion

delivers. Back inside the five metre mark. Coming left again. Turn back

inside. The rarest move. 13 offside. Matt Scott almost slipping through.

Danger for Edinburgh. Nathan White. Advantage is still there and they

have men over on the side if they move it quickly. Instead they go

through the middle and that, to me, is a good score. They have made it

all the way. AJ MacGinty repeating his score of last week. Edinburgh

are not happy about the way it was delivered. Hidalgo-Clyne is

questioning some part of the move. Here is Bundee Aki. AJ MacGinty

hitting a lovely line. There is space left by the defenders and he

comes back, hitting the ball as far as that and it is good timing onto

the ball also good distributional Bundee Aki. He will normally hit the

ball at pace and take it into contact but it was patient build-up

and a clinical finish. Hidalgo-Clyne what questioning the playwright in

the previous ruck. We will have a look at that full is top no mistake.

Aly Muldowney in midfield for Connacht is down. This is the try.

AJ MacGinty holds this depth. It gets to Bundee Aki's hands. He is

bringing the defence onto him and the pace comes from AJ MacGinty.

Good refreshing to see a strike runner run at the Gap, not at the

man. He held it and released it at the

perfect time. Blair Kinghorn delivers. Still a man down. I think

that is somebody's day done. Connacht move it. They have men over

here. Although Tom Brown did well to stop Danie Poolman. He is isolated

here. He needs help. Sticking it up the narrow channel. Edinburgh are

still a man down and will have to make a quick replacement.

Matt Scott has gone off. A hand injury. A blow for Edinburgh.

An opportunity for them on the far side now.

Another chance for Edinburgh. A path to Tom Brown. Blair Kinghorn is

inside. Better possession from Edinburgh. And again they have

conceded an the ground. I think it is the loose head. So

effective in the set piece. That is two penalties. Ben Whitehouse is

confirming the substitution for Matt Scott. To me it looked like he was

carrying his hand. Sam Beard is coming on as a replacement.

There we have the first change for Edinburgh.

Andy Nicol is closer. It is sad seeing Scott there. He has had a bad

run of injuries. Last week he was one of only two fit centres for

Scotland. Scotland can accommodate that, but it is sad to see him

injured again. A hefty price to pay for defensive duties. Moving

forward. Off they go again. Aki takes it.

Again an attack on the left-hand side. Edinburgh's defence is shed to

the limits -- is stretched to the limits. They have turned it though.

They have taken this. They have plenty of men on the left. Split the

defenders. A chance for a corner to run it back. MacGinty takes it in.

A much better defence from Edinburgh. MacGinty tried to run

back but he was halted. It is better to see the Edinburgh defenders under

feet ready to come forward and make contact. -- on their feet. Against

this left-hand attack. Hands away, Edinburgh. He pulled two players

over. They have an advantage. The advantage has come to Edinburgh for

the knock-on. It was deeper bass -- it was a pure pass. It was maybe

Nathan White outside but it didn't throw the defence, although it full

to his team-mate. I hence to their, Crest, the Edinburgh becoming more

competitive on the ground. That is Bundee Aki tried to make up for his

per pass by coming up and thumping Sam Beard. The referee has to watch

some of those tackles. Always when Hamish Watson is in the field you

will find out he is said to referee player. He defends really well. But

also the two number ones for Edinburgh are effective. His

workrate is simply phenomenal, he seems to be covering every inch of

this vast expanse. This is a good position for Edinburgh. It is an

opportunity to go left or right. Their set pieces are usually pretty

solid. It is important for Edinburgh to strike well and maintain

possession and put pressure on Connacht. They have three men on

each side and he had a good look on the side. Christine and Tom Brown.

-- Chris Dean. That is a huge psychological goal. The backs are

slapping the followers in the back because that was a big effort. There

was power coming through. You very rarely see the Edinburgh scrum being

disrupted like that. That was a phenomenal effort. It was a high

position to defend from and the foreword that. Technically sound and

losing in confidence, you have to say. Their body language is good.

But there is only one score in its. There will come a point in the game

where Edinburgh get the upper hand I get more possession and they have

two be attentive to the scoreboard when that happens. They will have

the wind in the second half if it stays as it is at the moment. It is

not a howling gale. Edinburgh are doing their best to disrupt this. He

is taking it on himself. It goes out to MacGinty. There is the South

African Pullman taken down in full flow. -- Poolman. Taking a direct

route, this is punishing staff. Doing his best to disrupt it but

they are shifting it. Pullman is yelling for the ball. MacGinty takes

it on. He uses foreword. Well contested by Edinburgh, but again it

took two to tango that time and again they got left. Over the top,

Tom McCartney. Half way into the five metre area. Mervyn, Pullman,

this is punishing staff. There were a stack of players offside there but

they got away with it. This time Edinburgh have won it and that is a

huge psychological blow because of you can defend like that and turn

the ball over Juventus go as we are hitting the half hour, it is still

0-7. That was impressive from Edinburgh. There is Toolis. Working

hard. That is phenomenal defence where Edinburgh and the knock-on

cons. Really good. Good tackles. An interesting exchange between the

referee and a player there, I think he was making it clear to him that

he was aware... That he was aware what was going on. An exchange

between the referee and the gentleman on the other side as well.

This is a big scrum again. Edinburgh now it is important, as to Connacht.

On the five metre line here. It has been taken on. He didn't quite get

that one. No, but John Muldoon put pressure on it. These are the things

that make a big difference. John Muldoon does not get out of that

scrum and work harder the first contact that would have been an easy

clearance. These are the little things that when they are done

properly have a big effect on the game and John Muldoon meeting

deciders captained should be putting the ball under pressure. We are into

the final terminus of the first half. -- ten minutes. Hamish Watson

gets out of the way and down it goes. A penalty. They have a run

together to go. It is interesting, the referee has already called time

off. The first my players might be celebrating, by Chris is not

celebrating. -- the first my players.

Check the grounding. He is safe enough in terms of territory. Tom

Brown has lost control of that, clearly. Danie Poolman will be upset

with that. But Tom Brown did well and dislodge the ball. Has the Slade

and the diagnostic on from the game. That is always guaranteed to get you

over the line safely. A great effort from Edinburgh to defend. There was

no try. It is an interesting decision. Anton Bresler. They are

debating what to do. It is going forward so it needs to be a yellow

card. I think the speed at which the ball was progressing forward, it is

highly likely that was going to result in a yellow card. He came in

for the side under the referee's nose and blotted out. A tough gig

has just got tougher. I am not resemble fiberglass it comes. Five

metres. -- I am not exaggerating because here it comes. They have put

it down. Jake Heenan has taken the ball to ground.

Initially this was defended well by Edinburgh. You see the lads getting

in there and slowing the momentum down and Connacht taking their time.

He is controlling where the ball is and the power comes through and then

to the right of the picture you can see Jake Heenan. Great ten eight and

great spatial awareness, knowing exactly where they were. Another

difficult chance for Craig Ronaldson over on the far side. Kicking from

the left foot. Not exactly ideal. He gave it a good go. Straight through

the post. That is a great kick. 14-0 four Connacht. This has been a

dominant performance for Connacht. Edinburgh's scrum was good but that

has gone as well. They are down to 14 men for the next seven or eight

minutes, so Edinburgh need to dig deep year because they could lose

this game before half time. They need to step up. They need to get

anything in the last six minutes of this first half. Here is an

opportunity. He fancies it himself. Tom Brown goes them. The intensity

of the challenge. Not conceding an inch. He switches quickly. Great

presence of mind. It goes to decree. Now there is a chance for Edinburgh.

Highland goes. He needs help. Fantastic. Through their hands,

there is a charity for Hamish Watson. He tries to get the back

door. Connacht will not hang about because they can see a huge gap

opening up in front of them. The advantages over. Edinburgh losing

their shape there when they lost the ball. The Edinburgh crowd are being.

Then white is no doubt about it just now. You cannot click the ball out

of someone's hands. -- kick. This is a penalty here. If we rewind 15

seconds there was a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh to score a

child. -- to score a try. The end result was a penalty. It is the time

to do it, just before half time. They are defensive again, which is

frustrating for Edinburgh. It is keyed to the midfield effort. So

easy, so easy the delivery. It is so easy in till it hits your shoulder.

That is a good kick. And there is a penalty. That will give them a lift.

Jamie Ritchie making up for his earlier mistake. A penalty. A

penalty for Edinburgh. It is important that Edinburgh get

something before half time. Here's Danny Healy 's sizing up his

options. That is a penalty. Edinburgh have now been put into the

red zone by Phil Burleigh. We have about two and a half minutes.

Edinburgh are down to 14 men so they are taking their time going to this

line-up, but they will not take too long. It is two minutes until half

time. Hopefully a concerted approach from Edinburgh. They would take any

score at the moment. The icing of the cake would be could go the whole

way. Hamish Watson has a look. Trying to drive him to the line.

They need to get McCartney out of there. That is all this delivery.

That is high by Ben Aki. Hamish Watson, I gain that man, the missing

man. They have numbers this time. Good possession. We need a bit of

accuracy here, for Edinburgh, and some patience. It is available but

it is very slow from Edinburgh. There is one minute remaining. We

are into the last minute of play. A score here would be good. They have

numbers left. There is a gap year. It is slow. The

momentum is lost. Almost the game. -- almost once again. They have

turned it over. They have turned it over and depending on the bounce of

the ball it was still in play and we are within seconds of the end of

normal time Kinghorn delivers to Tom Brown. Watson has a go on the

left-hand side. That is another high tackle. There is a flag. That seemed

to be the most severe of the high tackles that we have seen. They do

have a tendency to go when high. That is high. From two players.

There was an earlier call to have a look at the last look at this one

first. There was another incident on the far side that he's still the

cat. -- that he is going to look at. That is a yellow card. That is fair

enough. If the penalty was committed after

the clock had gone into the red, if it was still under 40 minutes the

ball would be kicked into touch for a line-up and a try but because it

was in the red it is the end of the half so it is the first opportunity.

At this stage Edinburgh will take three boys have they can get them.

It is a difficult kick. Left-hand side. There are a lot of tired

people out there from the first half, so the boys would be welcome

for Edinburgh. -- so three points would be welcome for Edinburgh.

It is across the face of the goal. A slight hesitation there. They have

reached half-time as one might expect with a fairly sound lead, a

copper heads of performance from them in the first half, technically

sound and active and ruthless when it has been within range and they

have taken the scores that they have come. The gap could be much wider,

but as it stands at half time it is Edinburgh zero, Connacht 14. A

fantastic 40 minutes of rugby from Connacht. Edinburgh have to do all

the work in the second half. They are looking good, aren't they? They

are. The forwards and backs and the interplay, both the attack and

defence, the cohesion, the organisation, it was all there. The

only thing they're really kept Edinburgh in the game was the good

scrambling defence because this game could have been over. 14-0 down.

They are going to have to up their game in a big way and the second

half. There are 14 players on both sides now so it is even. There are

two yellow cards. There were two incidents throughout the game. I

have been impressed by all aspects of this. Hamish Watson always jumped

into it, which was a strange tactic. -- almost jumped into it. Edinburgh

came out of the box very well. This is great organisation there. We all

said this comes from playing every week. That is the understanding.

Everyone knows what is happening. Everyone knows what everyone else is

doing. They are working together very well. Their interplay was very

good. You should never get that sort of distance from a rock like that.

Sipping it along. Bundee Aki has been broken. On another day another

referee might have said that was intentional, but that was where

Edinburgh managed to get that scrambling defence. The pressure

they were putting on Edinburgh could be seen pretty quickly. AJ MacGinty

scored the child. -- scored a try, and what a try. No one could get

their hands anywhere near the ball to slow it down. Connacht are just

throwing phase after phase and asking questions of the defensive

Edinburgh. Look how many Edinburgh players are rounded post there.

Bundee Aki, who is normally at the centre, he came into the first row

and then came on the angle. That is the interplay that comes from

knowing. That is the understanding that comes from playing every week.

He mentioned at the start of the programme that they play every week.

This is welcome season and Six Nations. You can see how well they

work as a unit. We did a game against Glasgow at the start of the

season and it was so much better here against Edinburgh. Connacht are

the best team that we have seen for a long time, they are very

impressive. Forget the lack of stars, the play for each other and

that's something you cannot put money on. A great performance and a

great try. One was all about the forwards. Five yards out they were

down. Mike it is just well worked and well-controlled. Edinburgh try

hard to stop at and turn it around, but the white shirts are always in

control and it is the easy finish there. Never once did Edinburgh get

anywhere near the ball. He knows that the back years absolutely in

control. Bundee Aki comes in but the ball is still at the back. Total

control there. That is as good a try as you will see all season. A good

push from Edinburgh initially but then the control. It was a most

impossible for them to defend. In that situation you have to stop is

initially or you will really struggle. Edinburgh took a while to

create anything and not create much the scoring opportunity, but they

did have one chance. They really had one opportunity and when you're not

play well here got to take the one opportunity. They have if you faces

here. He goes for the kick and doesn't get it but then Phil

Burleigh seize the opportunity. There is the gap. The one-time

Edinburgh has had a good run by Highland, but where is the support.

This is where they needed quick ball and we needed to see the shape of an

attack. Jamie Ritchie holds onto it. That would have been the only

opportunity and it had taken it. When they're not play well you have

to take any chance. Missing the opportunity to get two points on the

board for ever and bra. Other teams are in action tonight. Scarlets are

playing just now and bleeding 14-8. -- and they are leading. Glasgow are

also in action on Sunday and you can see that live on BBC Alba. I am

still revelling in the glory of Risley. The performers in Scotland

has been performing. They are scoring try. That was something

Scotland can do for many years but now five have been scored. Mike

Bennett got in behind the defence. Craig Laidlaw running from the side.

It was good to see the interplay between two forwards and backs.

Then Russell is scanning, he sees that the numbers are up. After the

first game against England, they have looked to play against Wales

and Italy. There has been impact off the bench. Duncan Taylor wasn't

involved against England but he has had a major impact. He is almost

invaluable. And last week against Italy. A massive game for Scotland.

They needed the win. Tim Visser came on. Stuart Hogg has been

consistently good. Awareness and control. Then Russell came into his

own. Look at the attacking threat. Outstanding in the tackle, set

piece. Wilson, another impact from the first game. John Hardy has

probably been the most consistent performer for Scotland. Alongside

Stuart Hogg and grey. This was the icing on the kick. When you've got

somebody like Stuart Hogg who's got the ability to create that space and

off-load, a fantastic try from Tommy Seymour. Scotland are scoring

points. Only England have scored more in the six Nations. The defence

was outstanding. When you have good defence and the ability to score

tries, you have the real deal. They will need to defend up against

France at Murrayfield in a week's time. A brutal French side. They are

hard-core. It is all physical and you match it.

I think Scotland can match it. You have to back up that performance

last week and I think we can. I think if we can get the victory

against France, we will go against Ireland in the last weekend. It was

a bit doom and gloom after the first couple of losses but after the

victory, the competition can flick so quickly.

It is a cold night but we are smiling. Do you think Scotland can

get the victory against France? Yes. The French side is

unrecognisable but they are taught. They have run out of ideas. I don't

think they have made any difference. It is probably the highest we have

been in the table for many years! We can go above France without a date

roger-mack doubt. -- without a doubt. The players are confident,

scoring tries. There is no reason why we can't kick on from the Italy

performance. Who has impressed you? Stuart Hogg

has been consistently outstanding such an attacking threat at 15. You

have to give him the ball. Johnny Gray, he has put in several shifts.

22 tackles last week. 14 or 15 carries. John Hardy has led the

defence brilliantly. The set piece last week, the scrum. We had how

many scrum penalties? You don't normally see that against Italy.

What has been good, you have players like Stuart Hogg and Johnny Gray.

Taylor has had a big impact. I love the impact he has brought to the

backline. Greig Laidlaw has pulled the strings. So important for

Scotland, not just in the points scoring but leadership. Scotland

have got that balance and it is what you need. That is why I'm confident

they can go on and win made in both their remaining games.

In the press conference, the coach said he loves the fact that there

are so many leaders from a Scotland brink of you.

Edinburgh are going to need some leaders against the team at the top

of the league. At the moment I can't see any way

back for Edinburgh because there has been a massive drop-off in Connacht.

Sometimes these things happen. Everything out to go for Edinburgh

in the second The first ten minutes hugely

important, particularly for Edinburgh, if they are to take

anything from this match. Over to the commentary team. Hugh Dan

MacLennan and Don Paterson. A couple of changes in Edinburgh.

Simon Berghan has come on for John Andress. Identical change, and 18

coming on for a number three. Rodney Ah You has come on for Nathan White

in Connacht. Edinburgh playing from left to right, trying to reverse

this 14 point deficit. Do you think Edinburgh can get back in?

There is always a way back. The disappointing thing is it looks as

though the rain is starting to fall. It is harder to chase a score if the

weather gets in the way. Edinburgh have to look after the ball and get

into the game. The other point we should have

mentioned very briefly at the start of the second half is that Connacht

will be playing with 14 men for the best part of ten minutes because

Tiernan O'Halloran has been removed from play, just before the interval.

Edinburgh have a numerical advantage. Normally a team would

capitalise on that. Here is a chance for the top the second time they

have made a break. Again, Hidalgo-Clyne. Phil

My arithmetic is slightly wonky because Anton Bresler still has time

to make on his yellow card. Cornell Du Preez have a look but he has

probably taken the wrong option. They go left, Blair Kinghorn. More

numbers here for Edinburgh. Hidalgo-Clyne goes back this way.

Connacht are stretched here. If Edinburgh can get in quickly...

Cornell Du Preez. Well taken from Damien Hoyland. He has missed it. A

free ball. Phil Burleigh. The ball was out. He hasn't managed to

relieve the pressure. A poor kick. Good pressure from Edinburgh.

Good start to the second half from Edinburgh. They have come out with

intent. Added to that, Anton Bresler is rejoining after his sin billing.

A couple of very good attacks from Edinburgh. Looking sharp, Damien

Hoyland. Much better from Edinburgh at the early part of the second

half. A good delivery here would be a good

move. Well taken. Edinburgh don't have any go forward because Connacht

have driven them back. Again, the suggestion of a high tackle. Cornell

Du Preez being held down and there is a penalty coming for a side

entry. Edinburgh have an advantage they can use here. Plenty of men to

the left if they can move it quickly. Phil Burleigh. Five metres

to go. Hidalgo-Clyne. Edinburgh stepping up the pace. Rodney Ah You

goes over. Advantage being played. The long path, looking for Cornell

Du Preez. And Edinburgh have scored. The referee is going to have another

look. I am not entirely sure why. They are checking the past, they

want to see if the final pass was forward. Any reason I cannot award

the try. It drifted long and highly.

Sitting behind it, it looked fine. A really good start to the second

half. Here is the long path. Damien Hoyland through it off his left

hand. It looks back to me, no problem at all. In the outside

channel, taken out of the hands of Cornell Du Preez.

You may award the try. A score to Edinburgh. All of a

sudden they have a glimmer of hope because that was a splendid finish.

Good to see Damien Hoyland having the awareness and skills. A

tremendous football player, fearing the space and being able to get the

ball out there. A good long pass from his left hand. He has carried

hard and defended well. He gets his reward.

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, from his preferred side. He has pulled it the

other way instead of across the face of the goal. Edinburgh are finally

on the scoreboard. They have five points. Andy Nichol.

I think Solomons has earned his corn at half-time. Quick ball, on the

front foot. When you have got good players and that kind of vision, you

can see the difference. An important start.

Edinburgh got the ball a few times in the build-up to that, which is so

crucial when you are looking to find spaces, especially outside. Connacht

go long. They will try and win some territory. Edinburgh keeping it in

Vegas time. -- in play this time. The rain seems to has eased off,

although it is not as easy to pick out for us here in the West stand.

Kieran Marmion releases it. Again, they have three men over here.

Cutting through the defence from Edinburgh. Kieran Marmion returns.

They are going all the way. Slicing through the Edinburgh defence. AJ

MacGinty goes in. Good pressure. The referee is happy so far. And a

flourish to finish. Bundee Aki. It opened up too easily? So powerful

and quick on his feet. The Edinburgh defence let them take the initiative

and come forward. Before that, some of the rest build-up a. Outstanding.

Forward and backs handling at pace. Bundee Aki is too good to give that

kind of space and time to. A difficult tackle for the tight head

prop. If we see that again on replay, there were so many quality

passes, so many quality pieces of skill. A fantastic try from

Connacht. The two points added with consummate

ease. By Donaldson. It is a feature of their play. The comfort on the

ball. It had precision, it had everything.

The build-up was phenomenal and Bundee Aki finished it off with a

big swan dive. Hitting back so soon is a big blow to Edinburgh as well.

Edinburgh have started the second half better. They know they can

score tries. They need another couple.

As we can see on the top of the screen, a yellow card is to

Connacht's continuing disadvantage. You would hardly credit it because

of the way they are moving the ball and dominating possession. Well

taken by Blair Kinghorn. He made sure he got his body behind it and

on top of it. Edinburgh is now beginning to move at pace again.

Looking for Damien Hoyland, who has been a threat every time he has got

hold of the ball. Again, Edinburgh trying to stretch the Connacht

defence. Phil Burleigh takes the kicking option again. Charged down

by Tom Brown, which is probably just as well. A bit of a reduction is

midfield. -- a bit of a ruck in midfield.

Edinburgh have had so little possession, especially in opposition

territory. They want to hold onto it. A nice attacking kick but I

would like to see them hold onto it. Edinburgh nick another substitution.

Another change for Edinburgh. Rory Sutherland leaves the field and

Allendale comes on. Very impressed with him. He has been

outstanding for Edinburgh this year. -- Alun Dell. He has spent quite a

lot of time with Edinburgh injured. An athletic prop, low to the ground

and strong. He comes with Mac can cause a bit of damage. Rory

Sutherland has impressed me. Edinburgh has suffered a bit upfront

with the scrum but a great performance.

Simon Berghan have made a significant impression when he came

on as a impact player. By no means beyond them but as the yellow card

lessons for Connacht, they are just so direct and so powerful... It is

barely noticeable that they are playing with 14 men at the moment

because they are in total control of where they are and what they are

doing. Again, just a flat kick. Tom Brown

inside him. Rodney Ah You! Now there is a chance for Edinburgh. Spreads

it quickly to Blair Kinghorn and out to the far side. Stopped dead in

their tracks. Again, a body. The Edinburgh crowd... The Edinburgh

crowd taking umbrage at Bundee Aki. He was arguing there was no ruck but

there was. If there hadn't been another defender there, Bundee Aki

would have been fair to do that. As you can see, it is now 15 each side.

That one shaved the flag on the way through!

A knock-on after his high tackle on Hamish Watson.

Connacht claiming that the ball was the wrong side of the flag.

Edinburgh have it, five metres out. A chance here. And look at the power

with which Connacht attack. Edinburgh have a shift moving

inside. Here they go again. Size entry. A penalty coming to

Edinburgh. Hamish Watson has a go. Inches away from the line.

Hidalgo-Clyne weights and goes left. A chance for Edinburgh here.

Low and hard, but not enough. Still not there. Jamie Ritchie.

Hidalgo-Clyne again. They are stretching the know. Phil Burleigh.

A chance here for Blair Kinghorn. It goes out to Damien Hoyland. A score

to Edinburgh. Connacht are claiming a forward pass but there is no

point. Dead flat is the verdict from the referee. Good enough for

Edinburgh. A good score. He does wonderfully

well, straightening the line. Comets the defender and get the ball away.

This movement is so vital in an attacking sense and good to see from

a young player. Damien Hoyland looking shocked again this evening.

Dead flat, as the referee contested. A good score from Edinburgh. The

distribution and fixing from the backs to score in the right-hand

corner. A good chance here for

Hidalgo-Clyne. Well within his range with his left foot. If you can pull

this off, it would get them to within almost the range of a score.

There is certainly some degree of confidence to come from that

particular move for is top -- for Edinburgh. A perfect view and a

perfect finish. The radar is back in action. Edinburgh are creeping back.

The big difference now is they are managing to respond to what Connacht

are throwing at them. Keeping possession. A lot of phases.

A good ball from Phil Burleigh. That movement, straightening the line

from Blair Kinghorn. Then to get the timing right for the distribution to

Damien Hoyland, keeping his whip in the corner. A good backline and well

done from Edinburgh. I think I said there wouldn't be a

bag full of scores about an hour ago. There you go. Edinburgh moving

it out. Carefully. They have a spring in their step all of a

sudden. With possession. With territory. Hidalgo-Clyne shifts them

another 20 metres up the field. And just getting to their feet a little

bit quicker, Edinburgh. More pressure coming on the contact.

Neil Cochrane questioned the referee again, whether the ball was out

before it was kicked through. I think Connacht will take that. They

managed to get possession. Into the Edinburgh 22. They will be happy

with that exchange at kick-off. The rain is coming down heavier now.

Connacht are battling their way up to the Edinburgh 22. It is broken

play again. Callaghan has been a constant threat. -- Ciaran O

Hallahan. Breaking the line. The ball is out but Kieran Marmion has

it. He is electric around the back of the pack. It is so easy when he

is going forward of course. Rodney Ah You have a go. Watson hanging off

him. Kieran Marmion. It is a bit static this time from Connacht and

Edinburgh dive them back. Contesting it on the ground. AJ MacGinty has a

go himself. He is stopped in his tracks. This time Edinburgh have it

again. Good intensity from the Edinburgh defence.

It is. Tackle and then back on his feet. It didn't look like he

released very quickly but good defence by Edinburgh after the

initial break. AJ MacGinty has threatened the line a few times. He

did release and then get back. There was a line break before that I Aly

Muldowney -- before that by Aly Muldowney. The character of the

Edinburgh defence has won the penalty and they have cleared their

lines. Not the longest kick in the world

from Phil Burleigh. It has moved Edinburgh up. That was

the main thing. They have possession now. I get the feeling Hamish Watson

could do this in his sleep. Every time Edinburgh direct, he is the one

with the ball under his arm. Hidalgo-Clyne changes his mind,

comes this way. Edinburgh has extra men again. Blair Kinghorn didn't

quite get up to full speed. Fully know the threat Watson poses

if he gets on the loose. Burley with a long path. It has worked for

Edinburgh on a number of occasions tonight. Looking for the far side.

Jamie Ritchie. He has a look. Hidalgo-Clyne. Again, static from

Edinburgh. A gap opened up all of the sudden. Almost like slow motion.

Connacht were caught flat-footed for once. A slack pass. That's messy.

That could have been so good because there were four players outside

Burley. And a lot of tired Connacht

defenders. The pass was too low and Burley couldn't pick it up. I think

it is better from Edinburgh because they are keeping the ball. The

knock-on comes from behind Cornell Du Preez, over his head. Sam

Hidalgo-Clyne wasn't happy. Edinburgh didn't kick. They were

playing with their heads up. Just be aware when you are getting up, the

ruck might have formed. Edinburgh playing with their heads

up. Not sure what Bundee Aki is talking about there. He has twice

made a tackle and got back to his feet on Edinburgh's side of the

ruck. He can do that if there isn't another Connacht defender.

For the first time in the game, the Connacht players are heaving.

Down to Andy Nichol. I have been impressed with Connacht all night

but one aspect of the second half, when Edinburgh have upped their game

is how they have reacted to the tries. Connacht have gone down and

dominated and scored their try and here they are looking pretty strong

as well. Edinburgh are nine points down and they need to try and get

something from this but Connacht will be looking for a bonus point,

well within their grasp. A better second half and Edinburgh have come

to the party but can they get anything from the game?

It is a 9-point game at the one hour mark. Still a lot of rugby to be

played. A lot at stake for both teams. We know the other teams in

the top four are also in it. Burley kicks it. Now there is a gap

and a chase. The balance was favourable. It sat up nicely.

Hidalgo-Clyne. He hasn't been under pressure for much of this evening,

Kieran Marmion. Edinburgh have 3 million back, waiting for the kick.

-- three men back. That has gone directly out from inside the 22.

Early is taking a chance with this. The man with the gas. Bundee Aki

gets it. They go left. They have stacks of men here. Up the middle.

Anton Bresler takes a direct line. A chance for Edinburgh. Cornell Du

Preez. He is stopped. They have another go. Three metres. Piling in.

The short pass, forced out. I think the woody language suggests to me he

was forced out. He has a grounding? -- the body language. He has a

grounding and he is checking the touchline. Closer than I thought. I

have a grounding. I would like to check the touchline for any reason I

cannot award a try for is top -- award a try.

Hidalgo-Clyne popped the ball out. Look at his feet. It is the elbow.

It is whether he reached the line before the elbow hit the touchline.

I think that is in touch, Chris. With his right side down before we

left? His elbow.

I think it is a try. I think the ball hits the try line first. They

are not going to tell us anything. He popped the ball up. Looking at

when the ball hit the ground, as opposed to Cornell Du Preez's left

arm. The ball is down before. I believe a try has been scored. I am

going to award the try. Here we come. Three, two, one...

Almost! A try for Edinburgh. All of a sudden we have got a different

game. Another good attack. It started from

a dominant scrum from Connacht at the centre of the field. Edinburgh

pounced. They managed to build the phases and put pressure on Connacht.

Some really good attack. Foraging over. Damien Hoyland.

It is a 4-point game on the one-hour mark. And if Hidalgo-Clyne could get

this over... We are going to head for one cracking closing spell.

It is the most difficult kick off Good evening. -- off Good evening.

Someone needs to look at these posts. A great effort. Let us look

at it again. It has stretched them down the right-hand side. Edinburgh

keeping the ball alive. Clever play. To be barged over and scored the

third try for Edinburgh. 17-21 for Connacht. Edinburgh are within range

of pulling it off, what would be a huge victory. Connacht have made

some changes and we will come back to that. The pressure is beginning

to tell because that is so unlike the Connacht of the first half

because every ball duck, every pass reached its man and now all of a

sudden they do not look quite as good. How does it look from down

there? All season I have been impressed with the character that

Edinburgh have shortened. They have really done it and come into this

game. You can see the body language on both sides has turned around.

Connacht are looking at each other and are not as buoyant as they were

and Edinburgh have a spring in their step as they can win this night and

they could not see that happening at half time. This has been described

as unaccustomed frailty. It is certainly frailty. It is certainly

unaccustomed territory. Then Whitehouse. Then Whitehouse is doing

his best to sort them out. He has been impressive as the match of the

soul. It has been good management. You usually see a flat former

defence. There is a massive shelf. Here is a chance for O'Halloran. It

is Poolman here's gone to ground. The pressure is telling. Berkeley

even is beginning to... You can see Tom Molden tried to calm them down

in midfield, telling them to slow down. A bit of frustration creeping

into the corner here. They will not be frustrated with their scrum, the

way it is going at the moment. The knock-on there was his first

mistake. C how much grunt at they put into

it. That will take them up into second

place, joint second perhaps. If Edinburgh could get Highland on

the ball just a little bit more often. -- Hoyland. That is a flat

pass. There was interference with the past there. The referee says

that it is a knock-on. It is similar to the first half. A consistent

referee. It was an attempt at a tackle. We can have another look

year. He puts the ball back and sides. That is a little the list.

That has to be a knock-on. It is further away from the line. These

are the pivotal moments in the game. 66 minutes in a 4-point game. This

shows you how much Edinburgh have come back into this fixture. It was

14-0 at half time. This time Edinburgh are rock solid. All of a

sudden the frailty is there. Edinburgh are beginning to get the

upper hand. It baffles you. In two previous scrums, Edinburgh dug in

and won the penalty with the good execution. There will be a change in

the front row for Connacht. That is a bit of a turn up. The number 19

for Edinburgh has come on, Alex Toolis. Alex Toolis has come on for

Bresler. I think Bresler has been impressive tonight and he has

carried hard. He has put his team on the front foot. He is pointing to

his wrist as he comes off. I hope that is not another injury to add to

the extensive number of injured players Edinburgh has. They had nine

at last count. Edinburgh have men here at full tilt. A chance on both

sides. If anything that is so cold. -- of anything that is cynical. It

was the captain who went in. AJ MacGinty not rolling away. Bell hits

his ball hard. MacGinty will claim that he was on his feet but he was

not supporting his own body weight and the referee told him to take his

hands off twice and he did not. The way the scrum has gone, you can

guarantee. For once the posts do not interfere. They have in at least

five of the last televised games. Edinburgh 20- Connacht 21. Momentum

is with Edinburgh. Connacht have scored seven points in the second

half. Momentum with Edinburgh. The only corn has come on for

Connacht. Can Edinburgh step it up? Candy stepped up another half notch

or so? -- candidate step it up. Connacht are flying in. They need to

get the rhythm and the pace we had in the first half if they are going

to stretch away from Edinburgh, because at the moment it is just a

single point, so any score for Edinburgh would put them in the

lead. All Halloran is away. For example Halloran. Connacht are on a

roll. They are running out of men. It Edinburgh can get their shape

back. They are thin on the far side of Connacht move quickly. The

gently, he is blocked there, surely. -- MacGinty. On the charge. There

are about ten metres from the Edinburgh line, looking typically a

water between them in Edinburgh in the closing stages. Edinburgh are

defending for all they are worth. They go the other way. That will

stretch Edinburgh. They might get it back. Have decided to keep going

east. They are gathering in the middle. Here they come. Every tackle

is now critical for Edinburgh. The gently breaks again, that is a great

tackle. -- MacGinty. Now the big charge. They are very close. The

referee says it is short. Edinburgh need to stay on the line. And the

game. Going for the post. Short again. That is the verdict from the

referee who gives the ball to Connacht. That was to reflect

defence and attack. It was a break that set up the attack by Edinburgh

did well to find their shape that defensively. I think John Muldoon

was trying to get the ball against the post. That would have been a

try. A good attack. Some fantastic defence by Edinburgh. They all need

to take a breath and so do we. It has been pulsating stuff. They have

got every trick in the book, they can run and move and do everything.

An injury, Peter Robb, has come onto the field. Denis Buckley has spent

most of the last few minutes stretching his car. -- his cat. They

would be reluctant to change Buckley been outstanding. Goalkicker is now

limping off the field. The referee has said that the player can only

come on for a scrum replacement, not as a player. Slightly complicated.

He has caught his ankle. That is not going to help with the kicking,

obviously. AJ MacGinty is the kicker for the USA, he would step up.

Edinburgh need to defend this desperately difficult position under

the shadow of their own post. They have to go after this scrum and

attack it. There will be two attackers on the right hand side of

the under left. Edinburgh have four on the left against two. The need to

defend the right hand side of the scrum. This is a huge scrum. They

have got over according to the referee. Connacht have reached the

line and it is one of the substitutes who has got through. You

can see the gap just opening up for him to batter his way through and

for all that there were two men hanging on to them it was not

enough. That ball was held at the back for two or three seconds but as

soon as it got to the back of the scrum he went. Edinburgh had four

defenders on that side and they still sat on the heels when they

should have come forward. The pre-works hard to get out. That is a

bonus point and a fourth try. That is disappointing for Edinburgh at

this point. The referee was in a great position there. The kick was

taken and then an Irish player was brought down by some of the

Edinburgh players charging. This is how they scored, it was quick.

Edinburgh defenders have to stand on the goal-line, five metres back from

the scrum. They will be disappointed to have conceded that try. Just over

five minutes left. We have a 8-point game, 20-28 to Connacht. It is not

over until it is over. Edinburgh have possession again. Then

Whitehouse called them all quite early on there. If the ball does not

come out on the Connacht it is a scrum to Edinburgh. Dave Heffernan

has come on for Connacht. All of the dice are being rolled now. You

conceded the Connacht defenders in a line and a fourth one is staggered.

There is space on the outside edge. Hopefully Edinburgh can get some

success. They have both gone down. Let us go down to Andy Nicol. In the

second half Edinburgh have come into this. I thought Toolis has played

well. Buckley was good and Bundee Aki has been very good, but at the

start has been AJ MacGinty, he scored the try in the first half and

he has that interplay and has been in control and defended well. He is

my man of the match. Not a bad choice. A penalty for Edinburgh. A

points down. If Edinburgh score a try they will get a bonus point for

four tries and if they did not win the big get two points. They would

get for being within seven and 1.434 tries. -- and one four the four

tries. If they get a conversion they consult Chase it and they will get

something out of it anyway. I think we know happen here. Down it comes.

Watson has it. They shift left. They still have it. They have made

ground. They are all at sea. There are still bodies being thrown around

the place. It has gone to the ground and Edinburgh have it. The captain

will take it on. Five metres, they are coming this side. They go left

this time. Ben Toolis this time. Watson is on the rampage. He turns

and twists. He lifted the ball which gave Connacht the opportunity to

challenge. It will be interesting to see how they got that. I was not

sure about that placement. Hamish Watson goes and then the tackle

spins him. It is the captain. The referee ordered the penalty really

quickly but I think it is fair. Unlucky for Hamish Watson. He is

impressive every time. It was clever the way that they turned him so that

when he came over on his back it presented Muldoon with that

opportunity to get the ball. He has technical ability to hold his body

weight. That was disappointing for Edinburgh. But Connacht have been

impressive this evening and they look like a team that deserves to be

at the top of the league. Edinburgh have been given the ball. They need

and must have a good delivery. This is where Edinburgh have two chance

their arm. You have two. In the last minute. I suppose you can go for the

line but you need something special to score here and looks as if they

are ready to attack. This is for a point in the league. 20 seconds to

go. It could not be any clearer from the referee. This will be the last

play, because Connacht get it they will just it. It has gone down. It

is a big decision what to do next. Let us see what happens. He is the

coolest man on the park, the referee. It has been a good game. Do

not try anything silly. That is fair enough. A massive scrum. The last

play because we are in the red zone and the clock has gone beyond 80

minutes. Edinburgh with the next shelf, here

it comes. They turn it inside. He is on his own here. Surrounded by white

shirts. That was some clearance. Highland. A bit of reshuffle to take

it in. Could not make much ground. Edinburgh are going right. Short in

numbers. They need a good clearance and a quick ball. It is not the

quickest. ITV to the left-hand side. Tom Brown on the attack. It goes to

ground. There are quite shirts everywhere. Coming up the middle.

Penalty coming. Advantage to Edinburgh. The game will continue.

Up to the 22. Hamish Watson breaches the line. Still advantage. The

captain takes it. The captain rules. The ball is presented. The advantage

is still being played. We are still playing at two and a half minutes

into overtime. The penalty is in the middle of the field so that changes

it. He has taken the steps forward to be in the right place. That would

take them, they are going to go for one point. If they get within seven

points in total they will get that. I think that is sensible. It is the

percentage decision. No cake is easy but the way that Connacht defended I

think it is probably the right decision. There is so much to talk

about which we will share with our colleagues on the touchline. The

second half has been absolutely fascinating in all sorts of ways.

Hidalgo-Clyne has the chance to secure a losing bonus for Edinburgh.

Almost directly in front of the posts. The final kick of the game.

He gave it a good thump. He got the two flags. That is as much as he

could have expected and hoped for because it has got Edinburgh

something out of this game. They have a lot to talk about and a lot

to be pleased with in the second half when they fought back from what

seemed like an impossible task. It has been a fantastic match batting

we have seen by Connacht are at the top of the league. They know how to

close the game and to get in front and to deal with it when they do get

in front. They give it everything. They are a complete side. Edinburgh

has shown considerable improvement. In the second half especially

popular, dangerous side. Connacht at the top of the league. They were so

well organised, so well led by John Muldoon, they deserved their victory

but also their 5-point victory and that stretches their lead at the top

of the Guinness Pro12. The other teams watching this will take some

heart from the way that Edinburgh managed to put Connacht under

pressure because when they are under pressure there are some groans that

could be exploited. At the end of the day it was still a

disappointment for Edinburgh. They do get a losing bonus point because

the final score is Edinburgh, 23 - Connacht, 28. An unbelievable second

half year at Murrayfield. Connacht were too strong. It was a good

second half. Edinburgh dug really deep because they were blown away in

the first half, so to get the bonus point in the end I did not see any

of that happening at half time. They played better in the second half and

came away with the bonus point. At the end of the season it will be

tight for a player positions and European Champions Cup positions.

That point may be important in the end. What about decision-making at

the end of the match? There were potential opportunities for

penalties but they pushed for scrums. When you are a points down

and you've only got two minutes left you need to scorers so get yourself

into bonus point territory and NCT Getty chance to get a match-winning

score. They got there in the end. They got the point that they needed

and the point that the second half performance deserved because it was

very good. Connacht are better than anyone be seen so this season. They

were given a chance by Edinburgh in the second half but every ten

Edinburgh scored Connacht came back into control. Edinburgh got close

but I always felt Connacht had enough to step away from them. That

was impressive. It was a 5-point victory with the bonus point. You

can get reports and match analysis on BBC Scotland right now. Next week

we will be here doing a live rugby show on the BBC, the Scotland Six

Nations against France, that will be on BBC Radio Scotland and we will be

back for the game in Glasgow on Sunday against Cardiff and that

should be a cracker. Join us for that if you can. At Murrayfield

Edinburgh putting a massive second half performance but it was not

enough. Connacht are supreme and are the champions so far. Goodbye for

now.