It should be a cracker - Paterson

Edinburgh captain Chris Paterson had the frustration of watching his team play their Round 1 match against Agen from the stands - but the Scottish international is looking forward to coming back for this weekend's game against Heineken Cup 2006 semi-finalists Leinster at Murrayfield on Sunday.

"Watching the Agen game from the stands gave me a great opportunity to have a good look at the team - and there are a lot of positive things we will be taking into the game against Leinster, "he said.

"Our commitment and desire will never be in question but our team has been overwhelmed in the past about playing away or playing against big sides.

"However, our results in the last two weeks have shown our players that they can get in there and compete, and win these big games. It's given us confidence and a harder edge which we'll take into the Leinster game."

But Paterson is in no doubt as to the challenge posed by the Irish province.

"They are a quality side with lots of stars - you hardly need to name them - but we play them quite a few times each year so we know them well and what they are like.

"I think the fear factor lessens when you know each other personally and you know what the other players are like and what they can do.

"The games we have had with Leinster in the past have been brilliant. They have been impressive and high-scoring games because we both play a similar style of rugby but now, of course, it will come down to who double bluffs who. Do they tighten up? Do we tighten up? I'm sure natural instincts come through.

"What is not in doubt is the fantastic quality of their players, especially in the back line - Contepomi, D'Arcy, Horgan - did I miss out O'Driscoll? They are star, star players and they will play rugby.

"They will be an attacking force and they will score points and score tries because they are such good players, which means we have to do the same. We have to concentrate on our defence but we also have to go on all-out attack to match them.

"We had a great win in Munster a couple of weeks ago and we know we are capable of winning big games both home and away. We made mistakes in the Round 1 game against Agen which cost us the game, but we saw that we are capable of beating a French side away from home which is obviously very encouraging."

And home advantage is going to be key for the Scottish side as they take on their Celtic rivals who romped to a stunning 37-20 victory over Gloucester Rugby last Saturday.

"Playing at home is important for us and, whilst the team has matured, so has the club as a whole," said Paterson.

"Being bought out and made independent of the SRU makes a massive difference in the way we prepare, the way we train and the way we travel.

"We have a real club ethic with us which the supporters have appreciated. Our support has grown at home and we were surprised and delighted at how many Scottish guys came down to Agen to support us.

"We are pleased to have given them a decent performance, but there will be more of them next weekend and, having lost this game, we want to really give them something to shout about at Murrayfield."