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Buzzing Edinburgh bring in 3 Scotland internationals for Saracens

By PA
James Lang in Scotland training /PA

Mike Blair is hoping Edinburgh can continue their new year revival by defeating Saracens on Sunday to secure a home draw in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

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The men from Scotland’s capital ended 2022 with five defeats in six games, and the head coach admitted after back-to-back defeats by inter-city rivals Glasgow he was “feeling challenged in the job” and “was not getting the best out of the players”.

However, they have started 2023 with a couple of morale-boosting victories at home to Zebre in the United Rugby Championship and away to Castres in the Champions Cup.

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“It’s amazing the difference a win can make,” Blair told Edinburgh’s website. “Claiming all five points in Castres was a brilliant result for us and it’s acted as a catalyst for a really strong training week.

“A win like that focuses the mind a little bit more and there’s been a buzz around the squad as we prepare to take on a quality Saracens side who are full of confidence at the moment.”

Blair has made three changes to his starting XV for the visit of Sarries, with Luke Crosbie, James Lang and Ben Vellacott all added to the side.

Edinburgh are already assured of a place in the last 16 but a win will move them above their opponents and ensure they have the advantage of a home draw in the next round.

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“Games like this are why we’re all involved in professional rugby,” said Blair. “A massive European tie against English giants, a sold-out home crowd and the prospect of securing home advantage in the knockout stages.

“To have a sold-out DAM Health Stadium behind us will be absolutely massive and I’m sure our supporters will back us from first minute to last, as they have done all season.”

EDINBURGH:
15. Henry Immelman
14. Jack Blain
13. Mark Bennett
12. James Lang
11. Blair Kinghorn
10. Charlie Savala
9. Ben Vellacott
1. Pierre Schoeman
2. Dave Cherry
3. WP Nel
4. Sam Skinner
5. Grant Gilchrist
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Viliame Mata

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Boan Venter
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo
19. Jamie Hodgson
20. Nick Haining
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Cammy Hutchison
23. Wes Goosen

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J
JW 24 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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