Edinburgh Must Rise To Occasion

Edinburgh Rugby are getting used to being in the spotlight. Last weekend they were live on S4C as they hosted Cardiff in the quarter-finals of the Celtic League and this weekend they will go live across the UK as the Heineken Cup 'Match of the Day' when they entertain Toulouse at Meadowbank.

Almost 4,000 fans turned up last weekend and despite falling 26-22 to Cardiff, the Scottish side are hoping for even bigger and better things this weekend.

"We have got two huge games in the next two weeks against Toulouse.We simply have to win at home if we are to stand any chance of qualifying out of our group," said international stand-off Duncan Hodge.

"If we don't stop the Toulouse advance, then they will be the strong favourites to win the Pool with a perfect start of three out of three. They are already in the driving seat, but if we can beat them at home then it raises the chances of two teams qualifying out of our Pool.

"We have watched them on video and they have so much pace all over the park. They pose so many threats with players like Michalak, Garbajosa and Clerc in their side.

"It is going to be a huge challenge for us going to Toulouse next week, so we really do need to get something out of the home game to give us some confidence.

"It was a bitter blow losing to Cardiff. We could have been out of sight by half-time, but then there was a spate of penalties and they got a fluke try.

"We are making too many basic errors at the moment and we must address that problem. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow have huge games over the next two weeks and it is important for Scottish rugby that we do well in the Heineken Cup.

"The international side had a good autumn with three Test victories and the form of the provincial teams is vital to the wellbeing of the national side. We need to do well in Europe to help the players build towards the Six Nations."

Edinburgh team manager Iain Rankin claimed there was no time for his players to be downcast about the result against Cardiff.

"Todd Blackadder told the players there was no time for them to feel sorry for themselves. With two games against Toulouse to look forward to they must look forward and not back," said Rankin.

"Saturday's home game against Toulouse is a real showpiece occasion and the players will have to rise to the challenge."

Toulouse, the inaugural winners of the Heineken Cup back in 1996 who have scored seven tries in their two Pool 5 games, will go into the match on the back of a French Championship 31-16 victory at Narbonne.

However, they are not without their problems - the latest victim in the Stade Toulousain front row is new recruit Patrice Collazo.

The prop damaged his shoulder in the side's victory over Narbonne on Saturday and is likely to be out of action for three months.

While he is out of both legs against Edinburgh Rugby, Collazo is also set to miss the Rounds 5 and 6 fixtures, home to Newport and away to London Irish in January, 2003.