Cockerill sure Edinburgh can surprise Irish giants

quiet. If we are in the game with 20 (minutes) to go, we will win.

“They are the home team and the team who have to produce something to win.

“We don’t have to entertain, we are just going with our strategy to try and win the game. If we can do that and are in the mix with 20 to go, we are good enough to beat this side.

“If they are ahead by a couple of scores with 20 to go, it will be very difficult but we will see. Maybe, just maybe, we are good enough to go there and get the win.

“Everybody is going there to win the game, and if you don’t have that mentality there’s no point going.”

Cockerill has been keen to downplay his side all season, often citing their recent history as proof they are punching above their weight, but is relishing the big stage after already securing Champions Cup rugby for next season.

“We are playing one of the powerhouses of European rugby in a knockout,” he said.

“We are at the sharp end.

“This is big-time rugby with 25,000 people screaming and shouting for the guys in red, and Edinburgh trying to deal with that.

“Some of our guys have never played in that environment. This is the sharp end as a coach, player and a supporter, and this is what its about.”

Centre Mark Bennett is one of three changes.

A revamped midfield sees Chris Dean return to action after missing last weekend’s 1872 Cup victory due to injury. Scotland international Bennett gets the nod at outside centre.

Full-back Blair Kinghorn – a late calloff in last weekend’s win over Glasgow Warriors – recovers from illness and is once again named in the starting XV.

With Kinghorn reinstated at full-back, Dougie Fife returns to the wing alongside South African star Duhan van der Merwe.

Jaco van der Walt and scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-clyne are again named at halfback.

“What’s the expectation? We’ve never been in a play-off before so there is no expectation. But we know we are good enough to win if we get it right, they know that and we know that,” said Cockerill.

“We are not going there to lose. Our season is not over. We want to go there and try to win.

“Let’s not be defeatist and say ‘We’ve had a good season, let’s go and enjoy the day and have a couple of beers after’. “Let’s go there and try and win.” “It’s going to be a big day for us and we have earned the right to be there; the league table doesn’t lie,” he added. “We can beat them if we get it right. “We played a Munster second team in March, so we expect to face a different side tomorrow. They have world-class players and are a different force at home.

“We’re looking forward to it and these are the challenges we want.”