Edinburgh V Bordeaux-Begles

by **RDW** Wed 21 Jan 2015, 1:57 pm

First topic message reminder :

Edinburgh V Bordeaux-Begles

Friday 23rd January 2015, KO 19:45
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Live on Sky Sports Yahoo

Referee Ian Davies (Wales)
Touch Judge 1 Wayne Davies (Wales)
Touch Judge 2 Jon Hardy (Wales)
Fourth Official Graeme Marshall (Scotland)
TMO Derek Bevan (Wales)
Citing Commissioner Gordon Black (Ireland)

Official Blurb

Just one point separates Edinburgh and Bordeaux-Begles at the top of Pool 4 as they prepare for a crucial showdown on Friday night.

Edinburgh lead the way with 17 points despite their defeat away in Lyon in round five, with Bordeaux a point behind on 16.

The Scots will be favourites to progress as pool winners having won their last three games at home in the competition and they boast an impressive record of not having lost at Murrayfield in the Challenge Cup since 1997.

But despite their tag as favourites for the pool, Edinburgh assistant coach Steve Scott says they will be looking to keep it tight against the French club.

Scott said: "We do not want an open game against them because that is what they will want and they will come here to play that way.

"If we have a chance to kick for touch then we must find it because Bordeaux can attack from anywhere. They will try and take quick lineout throws and they will play a high tempo game.

"We have to continue the good work that our scrum put in against Lyon while we did well at stopping their maul and we will need to do the same against Bordeaux. We have standards in those areas and we have to maintain them and build on them to get a victory."

Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons said his players were physically and mentally drained after their defeat in Lyon but his assistant Scott believes they will be able to lift themselves for Friday's all-important clash.

"The boys were off on Monday and they will have Wednesday off too, so they will be raring to go come Friday night," he said.

"We are starting to get our big players back though and some of the younger guys have come in and done really well. We can make changes when required, but at the moment this team is still building and we need a settled side."

My blurb

Edinburgh 17 points
UBB 16 points
Lyon 14 points

Edinburgh looked like they were going to canter through this group, but a failure to get a single try bonus point so far (including against London Welsh) and a tired loss to Lyon has put the pressure back on. A win of any kind will see Edinburgh top the group. A loss could see them being knocked out, as Lyon will probably give London Welsh a good pumping.

The main concern at this stage is player fatigue, as the same squad has essentially played together since the first 1872 games, and a lot of key players have played 80 minutes in most of those games. Hopefully this shouldn't be an issue given the break coming up, and the fact that it is a home game without any travel. Solomons says the players will be well rested this week, so hopefully they can put in one final push.

We should win this one, but UBB are tough opposition so it could depend on how interested they are in this game.

Teams

Edinburgh

15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Matt SCOTT
12 Phil BURLEIGH
11 Tim VISSER
10 Greig TONKS
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Alasdair DICKINSON
2 Ross FORD
3 WP NEL
4 Anton BRESLER
5 Ben TOOLIS
6 Mike COMAN (Captain)
7 Hamish WATSON
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Neil COCHRANE
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Fraser McKENZIE
20 Roddy GRANT
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Jade TE RURE
23 Andries STRAUSS

[b]UBB
Edinburgh V Bordeaux-Begles - Page 3 Elodie10

Edinburgh V Bordeaux-Begles - Page 3 Elodie10

15 Baptiste Serin (capt)
14 Lévi Aumua
13 Charles Brousse
12 Thibault Lacroix
11 Paulin Riva
10 Lionel Beauxis
9 Heini Adams

1 Jefferson Poirot
2 Benat Auzqui
3 Francisco Gomez Kodela
4 Julien Le Devedec
5 Jan Andre Marais
6 Bertrand Guiry
7 Hugh Chalmers
8 Tai Tuifua

16 Ole Avei
17 Sébastien Taofifenua
18 Patrick Toetu
19 Jean-Baptiste Poux
20 Matthew Graham
21 Yann Lesgourgues
22 Pierre Bernard
23 Matthew Clarkin

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:18 pm

That's a try!!!!

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:19 pm

I wonder who is going to be MoM?

by **RDW** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:20 pm

BP secure, bring on the subs!

by **George Carlin** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:21 pm

Great stuff - they've controlled the game really well.

by **RDW** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:23 pm

Right enough is enough - get Dickinson. Ford and Sammy off!

by **RDW** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:24 pm

Andress has just come on!

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:25 pm

Poor old Nelly, no rest for him

by GLove39 Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:27 pm

Big bad Tim Visser dishing out the rough stuff..?

by teh_Dingmeister Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:28 pm

He just doesn't like getting low and dirty so always tries to drag them down or into touch rather than properly tackle.

by IanBru Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:29 pm

I'm just in from the annual Old Guildfordian Hunting Club Dinner and Seal Clubbing, and I've seen the score. How's Sam Hidalgo-Montoya going?

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:32 pm

IanBru wrote:I'm just in from the annual Old Guildfordian Hunting Club Dinner and Seal Clubbing, and I've seen the score. How's Sam Hidalgo-Montoya going?

Nothing to write home abbot. Just MoM

by GLove39 Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:36 pm

Job done.

by **RDW** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:38 pm

Great to get the bp win, but will be massively disappointing if we get an away quarter final despite winning 5 out of 6!

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:41 pm

Well done Edinburgh, that was very impressive and should guarantee a home quarter final.

Well you can say what you like, but the transformation of Edinburgh under Solomon's has been impressive. They have become a tough side to beat, he has put some spirit into them, made them a team again, given them some pride back.

Sign him up now for another couple of years, he deserves it. At the beginning of the year this is a whole lot more than you could ever have believed you could do.

Well done Solly and well done Edinburgh. I am truly glad that Scotland is not a one team nation any more!

by VinceWLB Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:46 pm

Strongest performance from a pro 12 teams in all european competitions so far, really great win.

Once again H-C get all the plaudits but the real man of the match was Dickinson dismantled all TH he faced (i think there was 3) and great in the loose.
I have probably been too critical of Coman, he isn't the most spectacular back rower but does a lot of donkey work, particularly at the breakdown.

In that form Edinburgh should really make the top 6 in the league, but the likes of Toolis, Nel.. looked knackered at the end.

by Heaf Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm

If this weekend's results go as expected I think it's likely Edinburgh will be away to LI ...

by VinceWLB Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:48 pm

Have to say, well done Solomons but he will need ton use all his squad as opposed to only 15 players in the next 4 months!

by **RDW** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:49 pm

Yeah we need Dragons to lose at home to stade francais other teams are likely to win.

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:51 pm

No one is going to be very keen on playing away in Edinburgh now, especially during the international window. Edinburgh are probably going to have to give up a few players now, maybe more than was thought a few months ago. Sam H-C and Toolis look like they may be playing themselves onto the bench. VC not one to baulk at throwing in a few youngsters. Watson played well again tonight, he may be in the mix as well.

Solly needs to bring a few more players through, that is the only worry about Edinburgh, they may just have to narrow a player base. can he bring some new guys in and still stay strong?

by whocares Fri 23 Jan 2015, 9:58 pm

Well done Edimburgh. Solid performance, good forwards and a great SH. Also wanted to point that the ref did a top job and was well in control.

by justified sinner Fri 23 Jan 2015, 10:54 pm

I thought the ref had a good game. One frustration watching from the stand was he was overly keen to use the TMO and all the trys took multiple replays to award.other than that good game from Davies.

by teh_Dingmeister Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:01 pm

BigGee wrote:No one is going to be very keen on playing away in Edinburgh now, especially during the international window. Edinburgh are probably going to have to give up a few players now, maybe more than was thought a few months ago. Sam H-C and Toolis look like they may be playing themselves onto the bench. VC not one to baulk at throwing in a few youngsters. Watson played well again tonight, he may be in the mix as well.

Solly needs to bring a few more players through, that is the only worry about Edinburgh, they may just have to narrow a player base. can he bring some new guys in and still stay strong?

Giving some of the Scottish youngsters a chance might be a start!

by justified sinner Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:05 pm

Right after the ritual ref appreciation bit I thought Edinburgh were good today, before emptying the bench killed it. Front row immense Dickinson and Nel had their opposition on toast, ref kept watching Dicko's side and giving pens while I was screaming for them on Nel's side.

Toolis and Bresler look very good, Bresler still a little too eager round the breakdown and gives away needless penalties, but that will come.

SHC and Tonks looked good, Burleigh, Scott involved, Fife had a stormer, Timbo looked interested even if he only had ball in hand 3 times. McLennan meh.

I reckon Fife has a good chance of starting for Scotland if Hogg not fit, Maitland, Seymour, Fife looks a good balance to me.

by justified sinner Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:16 pm

teh_Dingmeister wrote:
BigGee wrote:No one is going to be very keen on playing away in Edinburgh now, especially during the international window. Edinburgh are probably going to have to give up a few players now, maybe more than was thought a few months ago. Sam H-C and Toolis look like they may be playing themselves onto the bench. VC not one to baulk at throwing in a few youngsters. Watson played well again tonight, he may be in the mix as well.

Solly needs to bring a few more players through, that is the only worry about Edinburgh, they may just have to narrow a player base. can he bring some new guys in and still stay strong?

Giving some of the Scottish youngsters a chance might be a start!

Build a team then integrate the youngsters is Solly's mantra. This season we have SHC, Sutherland, Toolis, Watson getting regular gametime. Next year expect a lot of the other youngsters about the squad to get gametime. I expect Ritchie, Bradbury, Hoyland and a few others to be regulars this time next season.

But that means letting some players go.

by GLove39 Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:29 pm

SRU wrote:Our reckoning is an @EdinburghRugby home QF requires a loss from Dragons (without loss bonus); Exeter; or Cardiff & London Irish (both).

It could happen...

by justified sinner Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:37 pm

GLove39 wrote:
SRU wrote:Our reckoning is an @EdinburghRugby home QF requires a loss from Dragons (without loss bonus); Exeter; or Cardiff & London Irish (both).

It could happen...

Que Sera, Que Sera. We'll win our away quarter then I'll have to travel to some god awful place to watch the semi c'est la vie.

And on a side note how come so few of you guys made it to the game tonight?

by GLove39 Fri 23 Jan 2015, 11:48 pm

justified sinner wrote:
GLove39 wrote:
SRU wrote:Our reckoning is an @EdinburghRugby home QF requires a loss from Dragons (without loss bonus); Exeter; or Cardiff & London Irish (both).

It could happen...

Que Sera, Que Sera. We'll win our away quarter then I'll have to travel to some god awful place to watch the semi c'est la vie.

And on a side note how come so few of you guys made it to the game tonight?

Something to do with the 5 hour round train journey and no place to stay (damn my friend and his casino nightshifts)

by funnyExiledScot Sat 24 Jan 2015, 12:24 am

I turned up, as did Edinburgh. Good effort tonight, totally dominated them.

Over to you Glasgow.....

by TJ Sat 24 Jan 2015, 1:33 am

VinceWLB wrote:Strongest performance from a pro 12 teams in all european competitions so far, really great win.

Not buying that even as an Edinburgh fan. this is the minnows cup minus all the good teams. Its a decent performance and better than us Edinburgh fans might have expected at the begining of the season but its only a race to be second best

by VinceWLB Sat 24 Jan 2015, 4:48 am

Bordeaux meant business and are 5th in top 14, even though it was only the minnows cup they were outclassed. Based on that performance Edinburgh don't belong in the challenge cup imo.

by **George Carlin** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 5:06 am

Let's get Edinburgh to the semis at least before we all start getting sniffy about the quality of the opposition. Bordeaux are a very good team but this wasn't their first choice 23.

That is taking absolutely nothing away from the home side. Samwise will remain the poster boy but his pack gave him an armchair ride. Let's also see this form away from home before we all get sore with high fiving each other.

But we do seem to have turned a corner and look like a side worthy of a Pro12 top 6 finish. Am delighted.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 8:06 am

justified sinner wrote:
GLove39 wrote:
SRU wrote:Our reckoning is an @EdinburghRugby home QF requires a loss from Dragons (without loss bonus); Exeter; or Cardiff & London Irish (both).

It could happen...

Que Sera, Que Sera. We'll win our away quarter then I'll have to travel to some god awful place to watch the semi c'est la vie.

And on a side note how come so few of you guys made it to the game tonight?

Nae cash!

Given the 3 home 6N games coming up it wasn't overly justified - apparently weddings aren't cheap...

by JonnyEdinburgh Sat 24 Jan 2015, 8:45 am

Thoroughly enjoyed that. They looked very shaky dealing with the high ball at the back, but I'm sure someone here said they had a couple of young centres on the wing so hardly surprising they were nervy. Suited our game to a T.

A word on McLennan, who is in danger of becoming the new "fans favourite" ala A.Strauss.... I think he can look a handy wee player at times, seems to make all the right percentage calls a bit like Maitland in that respect. He has an annoying habit though of running up to the defensive line, almost stopping and doing a little jig to try and find a gap to wriggle through. He would be much better keeping the pace up and using his step (or double step) on approach without slowing down - would give him a much better chance of making it through the gap. After all, you're only choices are left, right or through whether you approach at pace or take it from a standing start! Frustrating but looks like a lack of confidence to me.

Barring an unlikely result somewhere today, looks like we'll be away in April. But perhaps Gloucester aside (who we can't get in the Qtrs) nothing to fear in this competition now.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 9:14 am

whocares wrote:Well done Edimburgh. Solid performance, good forwards and a great SH. Also wanted to point that the ref did a top job and was well in control.

Was your 9 a regular player? He looked like they pulled in someone from the car park to play! Didn't give the impression that he'd actually played rugby before...

You had some barnstorming forwards though and your sub 10 looked a good player.

by whocares Sat 24 Jan 2015, 9:31 am

Yeah Heini Adams was first choice last year. Not quite the same player this season so they tend to rotate him quite a lot. Marais (lock) was our best player on the pitch till som subs (avei the hooker amongst them) came on. Only player in the back line to make an impression was lacroix but he was the only one really playing in his natural position.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 9:34 am

Fes - how was the corporate hospitality?

by Nematode Sat 24 Jan 2015, 10:29 am

I was at the game and the atmosphere was pretty good actually - seemed like maybe 6,000 not 4817. Still, when you consider normal Edinburgh attendances of late and that there's 6N rugby coming along it's not bad.

Thought Edinburgh played with good pace in the backs and SHC looked lively. Denton's pass aside, he had a really good game. Great to get a BP against the 5th best team in France.

Over the past few months Edinburgh just seems to be a different team. SHC has really established himself, Burleigh gives Edinburgh more attacking options (said by Fife on ER YouTube), and the pack's going well.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 10:32 am

So if the rest of the pool games pan out as expected, we'll be hosting you boys in the quarter final at the MadStad. What sort of level of travelling support to Edinburgh usually bring?

by justified sinner Sat 24 Jan 2015, 10:45 am

Not many, plus it's Easter weekend I think, so a lot of people may already have something arranged. If it is you guys I might pop down, pretty easy to get to from Edinburgh.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 10:58 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:So if the rest of the pool games pan out as expected, we'll be hosting you boys in the quarter final at the MadStad. What sort of level of travelling support to Edinburgh usually bring?

Aye usually not many, but given it is a QF and (reasonably) easy to get to we get get over 1000 or so. There's plenty ex-pats in London too who might go (my brother included).

What's your thoughts on the prospect of facing us Ozzy? We're certainly one of the form teams in the tournament just now, but given London Irish aren't going to get relegated and probably won't make the top 6 in the league, I can see them really targeting this.

The good thing about this competition is basically any team in the quarters could probably win it!

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 11:59 am

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that last sentence RDW. The eight quarter finalists will be reasonably evenly matched, and it will be who plays better on the day. At home right now I would fancy us, but there's a long time between now and the quarter finals. We know we won't make top 6 or 7 in the league this season, so I'd expect us to throw the kitchen sink at this competition.

by Heaf Sat 24 Jan 2015, 12:20 pm

I think a lot could depend on injuries - I don't know how Edinburgh are for strength in depth but for LI we really seem to struggle when we lose certain first choice players.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 1:41 pm

Edinburgh's strength in depth is poor - Solomons has basically kept the same squad since before Christmas, and uses subs sparingly!

by Nematode Sat 24 Jan 2015, 3:21 pm

Anyone else get hungry when they see 'Bordeaux-Begles', reading it as Bordeaux bagels?

by Heaf Sat 24 Jan 2015, 3:36 pm

mmmm snacks

by **RDW** Sat 24 Jan 2015, 3:49 pm

Well the teams we need to lose are all winning.

Baws.

by Heaf Sat 24 Jan 2015, 3:58 pm

See you in Reading ...

by MacKnocked-on Sat 24 Jan 2015, 4:15 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Edinburgh's strength in depth is poor - Solomons has basically kept the same squad since before Christmas, and uses subs sparingly!

This is true but given the team improvement of late it's surely time to accept that Solomons is doing a good job in general and is worth another contract, after all Edinburgh has suffered from a lack of coaching continuity over the last few seasons.

by justified sinner Sat 24 Jan 2015, 5:25 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Edinburgh's strength in depth is poor - Solomons has basically kept the same squad since before Christmas, and uses subs sparingly!

This is true but given the team improvement of late it's surely time to accept that Solomons is doing a good job in general and is worth another contract, after all Edinburgh has suffered from a lack of coaching continuity over the last few seasons.

I sort of agree with both those points, but do think we are building squad depth, worry is getting the fringe players gametime. I'll post more on this tomorrow.

by IanBru Sat 24 Jan 2015, 10:09 pm

So, it's The Joy Of Reading in early April.

As a statement of solidarity with my beloved brethren from the East, those with a bent towards annual festivals of over-scripted comedy and, of course, those of the metro-sexual loving variety, I will be at the Madejski Stadium with my MFL father, Dr Bru, cheering for the great over-washed.

I hope you fine folks can join us!

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