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Edinburgh Rugby will hope to keep up their unbeaten start to Pool 5 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup when they visit Stade Francais on Thursday. - 14/12/2016 11:02
Edinburgh Rugby will hope to keep up their unbeaten start to Pool 5 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup when they visit Stade Francais on Thursday.
The Scottish side are sitting pretty with three wins from three – two of them with bonus points – ahead of their trip to the French capital.
A 28-23 victory over Stade last weekend was another step in the right direction for Duncan Hodge’s side. He has made eight changes to his starting line-up from last weekend’s win, introducing five newcomers to the pack for the game at Stade Jean Bouin
Simon Berghan and Ross Ford are promoted from the bench to start in the front row alongside Alasdair Dickinson, while Fraser McKenzie takes over from Grant Gilchrist behind them. Nasi Manu packs down at No 8 and Cornell Du Preez joins him in the back row.
“We are fully aware of the challenge we face in Paris – it will be tough and physical. The fight we showed to come back from a 17-point deficit last weekend shows the character this squad possess,” said Hodge.
“We’ve made a couple of changes, with a number of players meriting selection after impressing off the bench in the last round. We’re looking forward to them backing this up in Paris.”
Man-of-the-match in the win over Stade last weekend, scrum half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, is joined by Jason Tovey at half-back. Tom Brown returns to action on the wing.
Journée 6 de l'European Rugby Challenge Cup
Stade Français ended Edinburgh Rugby’s perfect start in the European Rugby Challenge Cup as they inflicted revenge with a 26-20 triumph.
The damage was done in the first-half as Remy Bonfils, Hugo Bonneval, Doumayrou and a penalty try secured the bonus-point. But the battling Scots almost produced a second successive comeback triumph.
Lock Fraser McKenzie burrowed over before Villiame Mata got Edinburgh back in it. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne darted over to pull his side back within a converted try, but it was too little, too late.
Edinburgh came back from 17 points down to beat Stade last weekend, and they would have to come from behind once more. The hosts got off to a flying start and had soon fought their way deep down into Edinburgh territory. The forwards hammered at the defensive line before hooker Bonfils made the breakthrough, and Jules Plisson added the conversion.
Jason Tovey pulled a penalty back for Edinburgh, but Stade replied in emphatic fashion. Josaia Raisuqe made a stunning break before finding Sergio Parisse, who offloaded to Bonneval, and the flying back raced over to send his side into a 12-3 lead.
And things were about to go from bad to worse for the Scots. The home pack shunted Edinburgh back at a scrum to earn a penalty try. And they were dealt a double blow as prop Simon Berghan was shown a yellow card for the infringement. Stade made full use of their extra man moments later when centre Doumayrou cut through to score to give his side a 26-3 lead.
But Edinburgh were given a glimmer of hope just before the break when Sylvain Nicolas was sent to the sin-bin. They went on the front-foot at the second-half and soon pulled a try back through lock Fraser McKenzie, who burrowed over from close range.
And the Edinburgh comeback continued when back-rower Mata battled through the defence to touch down. Tovey added the conversion to cut the gap to 26-15 after an hour. And Hidalgo-Clyne gave Edinburgh hope with a third try, but it came too late.
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