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Edinburgh boss Mike Blair reveals tough selection decisions
By PA
Mike Blair explained how Edinburgh’s blistering form this season has made team selection such a difficult task.
The head coach feels spoiled for choice because of the way his players have been performing in a campaign in which they are currently top of the United Rugby Championship.
Blair admits he had plenty to ponder before picking his XV for Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash away to London Irish.
He told Edinburgh’s website: “Selection has been one of the hardest parts of the job so far because players are training well and putting their hands up but guys are performing on the pitch as well.
“We’ve spent a lot of time selecting this side and we believe we’ve got a team that can go out there and challenge London Irish.”
Blair has made four changes to the side that started the bonus-point victory over Cardiff last weekend, with Matt Currie, Adam McBurney, Boan Venter and Nick Haining replacing Mark Bennett, Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman and Hamish Watson.
The head coach is hoping they can maintain their fine form at the Brentford Community Stadium. He said: “We were really pleased with the performance against Cardiff.
“We left a couple of opportunities out there but we really enjoyed the intent and the physicality. Both are important parts of our game and we’ve been building on them in training to bring into this weekend’s game.
“I love the way London Irish play. They move the ball around a lot and are really innovative with what they’re trying to do, with their set plays and scrum play. I think it’ll be an excellent game.”
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Latest Comments
Cannot wait, will be Allblacks much improved against a team that's still firing. Allblacks by a whisker.
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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