FRINGE MEN ARE A FORCE
RICHARD COCKERILL believes his Edinburgh fringe players have what it takes to outmuscle the Cheetahs tonight.
The Gunners boss wants to see an improvement from their narrow win over Treviso in the last round of Pro14 tussles before the Heineken Champions Cup.
But Cockerill insists he has not taken a gamble by keeping several stars out of the firing line against a powerful Cheetahs side.
He said: “The team we have picked is strong and combative. I have every confidence in their ability to produce a powerful display against a physical Cheetahs line-up.
“They have very quick backs out wide who will punish you if you let them.
“We were happy to beat Treviso last weekend but many aspects of our play were not up to scratch.
“There is plenty to improve on if we are going to challenge in this league.”
But Cheetahs coach Franco Smith reckons playing at Murrayfield will inspire his men to their first win of the campaign.
He said: “It’s a great honour for us to play at Murrayfield. The stadium is an icon in world rugby.
“I believe our players will respond positively to being out on that expanse of turf.
“But Edinburgh are a well-coached team with a lot of international and South African players. It will be a challenge against them at their home.”
Winger Darcy Graham makes his first start for the Gunners since facing Leinster in February and prop Rory Sutherland will make his maiden appearance of the season.