Hoyland hails Hodge for transformation

Caretaker coach has helped Edinburgh believe in themselves

Damien Hoyland shrugged off his Challenge Cup wonder show to hail Duncan Hodge for exorcising the Edinburgh demons.

Former Scotland hero Hodge is still in charge on a caretaker basis. But if Hoyland and his team-mates have any say, he would be in put in the permanent hot seat at Murrayfield now.

The winger, who bagged one try and made three others, declared: “The big thing is that Duncan has made us believe in ourselves.

“He tells us to just go out and have a crack. When there is a chance to counter attack, just go for it and see what happens.”

Edinburgh’s stunning display was a far cry from the unadventurous approach of ex-boss Alan Solomons.

Hoyland added: “Hodgy tells us he won’t be hard on us for making mistakes while trying things.

“And that has made the young guys step up and perform to the best of their abilities.”

Hoyland is convinced the Quins superstars had come north expecting an easy ride, only to be caught cold by the pace and inventiveness of the hosts.

He said: “I think they were surprised at how we came at them after they had taken an early lead.

“They underestimated us and we gave them a bit of a shock.

“We did slacken off a bit in the second half, but even when they went 32-31 ahead near the end, there was a real buzz among us. We knew we wouldn’t let it finish like that.

“In times past, we would maybe have lost a game like that, but with Hodgy at the helm we have massive belief.

“And we know we’ve got expectations to beat teams like Harlequins, or any of the teams in the Pro12.”

Hoyland and Co now face crucial back-to-back clashes with Stade Francais, knowing two wins would almost certainly mean a place in the knock out stages.

But first they have to aim for a bonus point triumph over Zebre at Murrayfield on Friday in their quest to earn a top six finish in the Pro12, and elevation to the Champions Cup.

Edinburgh: Kinghorn, Hoyland, Dean (G Bryce 64), Burleigh (Allen 52), Brown, Tovey, Kennedy (Hidalgo-Clyne 71), Sutherland, Ford (McInally 58), Nel (Arregui 67), B Toolis, Gilchrist (McKenzie 63), Bradbury, Watson, Manu (Mata 63). Replacement not used: Dell. Harlequins: Brown, Yarde, Marchant, Roberts, Walker (Alofa 69), N Evans (Swiel 50), Dickson (Care 50), Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler (Collier 69), Twomey (Matthews 41), Horwill, Robshaw, Wallace (Lambert 52), J Chisholm. Replacements not used: Gray, Luamanu.

Referee: Romain Poite (France).

Picture: SNS Group. Damien Hoyland wins the race to score one of Edinburgh’s six tries.

Duncan Hodge: allowing players to perform to the best of their abilities by allowing them to “go for it”.