HARD HITTING VIEW

Siberia should make an interesting trip for Edinburgh fans

European rugby kicks off next week with Glasgow hoping to improve on their good performances in the competition last year – at least until they came up against a very powerful and dominant Saracens side.

The Warriors will go into the competition with confidence sky-high, given their results in the Pro14 league – perhaps the most impressive coming earlier this weekend, with an away win and bonus point in South African against the Cheetahs.

Next weekend they face a tough trip away to the Premiership Champions, Exeter Chiefs, who have had an up and down start to the defence of their title.

The English Premiership is a tough competition this year and, at this early stage, there are no outstanding league leaders – no match is easy. So Glasgow cannot afford to be complacent.

Joining the Warriors and the Chiefs in Pool 2 are Leinster and Montpellier – the French club being home to Vern Cotter, the former Scottish National team coach who was supplanted by Gregor Townsend this year.

I have yet to talk to anyone who did not wish for Cotter to continue with Scotland, giving Townsend a couple more years to develop before taking on the National team.

The Kiwi is likely to want his team to make a point when Glasgow come calling. Cotter, of course, has great experience in European competition, having coached Clermont Auvergne, perennial finalists, before joining the Scotland set up.

His reign at Montpellier has started well as his team lead the league table in the Top 14 in France so they will be real contenders to top the group which is one of the most competitive in the competition.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh have an interesting group in the Challenge Cup where they are joined by London Irish, Stade Francais and Krasny Yar.

Krasny Yar are based in the city of Krasnoyarsk, the third largest city in Siberia. It should make for an interesting away trip for fans who are truly devoted to following their team.

Edinburgh have played and defeated London Irish in European competitions before and Stade Francais are no longer the dominant force in French rugby they once were.

They do, however, have a great heritage in European competition and will not be a pushover. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh have a good chance of doing well in their groups.

This year, the finals day is taking place in the San Mames stadium, in Bilbao, which I’m sure will prove to be a real draw for fans who want to experience a long weekend in the Basque country.

It would be great to have at least one Scottish team progress to the knock out stages again – both teams have a great chance of doing so.