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Saracens performance has set the bar for Edinburgh
By PA
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
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Latest Comments
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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