Hodge says French record bodes well against Begles

EDINBURGH Rugby assistant coach Duncan Hodge admits that French opposition appear to bring the best out in his squad, and he is looking to his players to extend this impressive record on Friday against Bordeaux Begles at Murrayfield.

Last season, Edinburgh were hugely impressive in beating Toulon home and away, as well as defeating Montpellier at home. And last week, a bonus-point win against Agen underlined the thinking that French sides suits Edinburgh.

“Potentially (French teams do bring out the best in us),” said Hodge. “We’re fit and in good condition and if we can stick to certain markers, we know we’ll be competitive against French teams.”

Hodge is well aware of the threat Bordeaux, who are sitting in second place in their domestic league

“Bordeaux are kind of typically French: they’re a big side, based around set-piece and a sort of power game so, in that respect, they’re no different to Agen, Montpellier and Toulon,” he said. “But they’re a pretty efficient, well-coached side and they’ve got some good players.

“It does help playing them back to back. The attack and defensive analysis [for Agen and Bordeaux] have been very similar.”

The Edinburgh coaches have made clear the Challenge Cup is not their priority this season. Making 12 changes from the previous week’s

PRO14 game to the side that faced Agen highlighted that. But the players brought in performed admirably and Hodge admits it is hugely encouraging to know the strength-in-depth of the squad they have at their disposal.

““We’ve got to trust the players. The flipside is that when you select these players they’ve got to stand up and they did that last weekend. This Friday, whoever’s selected will be no different. Potentially there’s going to be some change.”