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'It's almost like Test-match rugby': Schoeman on facing Saracens

By PA
Pierre Schoeman and Hamish Watson /Press Association

Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman believes facing in-form Saracens can get his side back to their best.

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Mike Blair’s side open their Heineken Champions Cup campaign in north London on Sunday against the Gallagher Premiership leaders, who have won all nine of their league matches this season.

Edinburgh have lost both of their United Rugby Championship fixtures since the international break and Schoeman knows they have to be more focused against the English side.

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“It actually helps us to fire up because the pressure is much more on us to be at our best, whether that’s in the carry, the contact area or set-piece,” the Scotland international said.

“We have to replicate that in training this week and prep as well as we can. It’s almost like Test-match rugby for these big European games, especially against Saracens, who are on form.”

Schoeman will take encouragement from Edinburgh’s impressive win away at Saracens in the Challenge Cup last season.

“We should take confidence,” he said. “We beat them there, we took them on set-piece wise as well.

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“I know some of their players are going to come back full of confidence to club rugby after the autumn Tests and they are going to want to prove themselves, but we are looking forward to it.

“The pressure is on both teams because they are nine from nine and we are going to go for them. The pressure is on us as well to be more consistent, especially set-piece and the contact area.

“You can’t have weak moments or lack of focus in these games because good-quality sides like that will sniff you out and catch you.”

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R
RedWarrior 35 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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