Nel is storming into Edinburgh URC bid

Long-serving Edinburgh prop WP Nel believes the squad is in the best place it has been during his time in Scotland as they prepare to go for United Rugby Championship (URC) glory.

Edinburgh take on the Stormers at the DHL Arena in Cape Town on Saturday in the URC quarter-finals.

The Scottish capital side have impressed with their style of play under Mike Blair this season and drew with their opponents at home earlier this season.

Nel moved from South Africa to Scotland 10 years ago and has been involved in some big games with the club, including a European Challenge Cup final and the latter stages of other tournaments.

And he is encouraged by the mood in the camp as Edinburgh look to go one step further and claim major silverware.

“From where we started the season to where we are now, how we have built and just come together as a squad, it’s really exciting for us as a club to face a good Stormers side on Saturday,” he said.

“We are a tight squad with really good players. We have had some brilliant players but it’s the tightest and the best environment this squad has been for a while.”

Meanwhile, Glasgow stand-off Ross Thompson is relishing the pressure of their URC quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin.

Warriors face the toughest of assignments in the last eight as they take on the team who topped the league on their own patch at the RDS Arena.

But the 23-year-old Scotland international is not fazed by the prospect.

“I like pressure,” he said. “I enjoy it.

“Sometimes it can be tough but it’s what I look forward to.

“As a young kid you want to be playing in those big games.

“If you want to play in those big games you have got to handle the pressure. If you want to go to the latter stages you are going to have to play against these top teams.”