Saracens performance has set the bar for Edinburgh

Mike Blair has called on Edinburgh to “maintain the standards” they set in last weekend’s spirited defeat by Saracens when they host Castres in their second Champions Cup match on Saturday.

The head coach was irked by his team’s display in their last home match against Munster a fortnight ago but was far happier with the way they performed as they went down to a narrow 30-26 loss at the hands of their Gallagher Premiership hosts in north London.

Blair hopes to see a similarly focused approach against the French Top 14 side.

“We have spoken a lot this week about maintaining the standards set in last weekend’s match with Saracens,” he told the Edinburgh website.

“Defensively, it was probably our best shift of the season so far, and I thought we were excellent in and around the breakdown where we battled for everything.

“Champions Cup rugby is like Test match rugby, so we need those levels of fight and intensity for the full 80 minutes this weekend as we take on a quality Castres side who were runners-up in last season’s Top 14.

“It’s really exciting to bring Champions Cup rugby back to Edinburgh and we’re anticipating a brilliant atmosphere from our fans come kick-off on Saturday.”

Blair has made three changes to the side that started against Saracens, with Matt Currie, WP Nel and Glen Young coming in for Luan De Bruin, Mark Bennett and Jamie Hodgson.

The match is currently set to take place at DAM Health Stadium but could be moved to nearby BT Murrayfield if the adverse weather leaves the pitch unplayable.

EDINBURGH:

15. Emiliano Boffelli

14. Wes Goosen

13. Matt Currie

12. James Lang

11. Duhan van der Merwe

10. Blair Kinghorn

9. Ben Vellacott

1. Pierre Schoeman

2. Stuart McInally

3. WP Nel

4. Glen Young

5. Grant Gilchrist

6. Jamie Ritchie

7. Luke Crosbie

8. Viliame Mata

REPLACEMENTS

16. Tom Cruse

17. Boan Venter

18. Angus Williams

19. Marshall Sykes

20. Ben Muncaster

21. Charlie Shiel

22. Charlie Savala

23. Chris Dean