Is Edinburgh's Higgins the real deal? Is exhaustion catching up with Glasgow?

[BBC]

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions on Edinburgh arrivals and the physical strain on the modern rugby player.

David asked: New Edinburgh signings Hector Patterson, Riley Higgins and Geordie Gwynn: your thoughts?

Tom answered: I'll take Higgins first because there's more to study there than there is with the other two. He looks a really strong attacking centre and a solution to a major problem position. To me, he can play 12 and 13 and also on the wing, so great versatility.

A Super Rugby debut at 19, a former Junior All Black and New Zealand Undder-20 player, a call-up for an All Blacks XV in 2024-25. The pedigree is pretty strong.

And he's only 23. He won't be available until the end of October, but I'd have high hopes. If it wasn't for a broken leg last May he'd have a lot more Super Rugby games under his belt with the Hurricanes.

Mosese Tuipulotu and Higgins looks a very decent midfield for next season. Matt Currie has something as well. Let's see.

Gwynn is joining from the Ealing Trailfinders. Sixteen games played this season and 16 wins. He's only 22 and has a bit of versatility as well - wing or 13.

He was on the same Scotland U-20 team as Liam McConnell, Freddy Douglas and Patterson, so he'll have some familiar faces around him.

It's hard to judge him right now. The Trailfinders are so much better than everybody else in the English rugby Champ - 24 wins from 24 games with 21 bonus points. It won't be so easy for him next season.

Patterson is only 21 so let's not expect miracles just yet, but he's quick and lively and a real prospect. One Edinburgh game and one try already. Edinburgh's George Horne? Ok. I'll calm down, but he's got a lot of potential.

Rod asked: Many Glasgow players looked really tired last Saturday - it was more than the altitude. We now have the Nations Cup forcing teams to field their best players - how can we expect players to play almost a 12-month season? And how can this be good for the game?

Tom answered: I wouldn't have the South African teams in the URC. It was done purely for monetary reasons but the travel is madness and the toll on players is significant.

Plus, why is the northern hemisphere helping the world champions by bending over backwards to allow their teams compete in the URC and European competition? It's not like they need a helping hand to improve, is it?