'We want to do something special, we want to win silverware'

Jamie Hodgson has challenged Edinburgh to cap an impressive season with silverware. Mike Blair’s side have thrived since moving their new DAM Health Stadium this term and are still in with a chance of glory in both the United Rugby Championship and the European Challenge Cup.

Lock Hodgson hopes Edinburgh can rise to the challenge over the coming weeks and land themselves at least one trophy.

“To be in two quarter-finals at this stage, we’d have to say it’s been successful in that respect, but we want to go further,” said the 24-year-old. “We want to do something special, we want to win silverware.

“I think we’ve got the players, the staff and the environment to do that. We’ll judge ourselves at the end of the season when we’ve hopefully picked up a trophy or two.”

Edinburgh host Wasps in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup on Saturday and Hodgson anticipates an entertaining showdown with a side who drew 42-42 with London Irish last weekend.

“It’s really exciting coming up against sides we don’t face on a regular basis in the Challenge Cup, the likes of the Premiership teams and the French teams,” he said. “It’s nice to have new opposition with different styles of rugby. It’s a great challenge.

“There are moments when you think how good would it be to get to a European semi-final and get a chance to get our hands on some silverware, but we’ve just got to focus on what’s in front of us first.

“Wasps are a great outfit, they’re a really strong team, so we can’t wait to have them at the DAM Health Stadium.

“We know they’re capable of scoring lots of points. They’re going to put our defence to the test.

“We’ve looked at them and they like throwing the ball about and they like a high-tempo game. We’re expecting a fast and furious game from them but we also like to play that brand of rugby, so we’ll fight fire with fire in that respect.”