Manuel: We want Gunners revenge
BY DAVID KELSO MANUEL BASTAREAUD has warned his Toulon superstars are ready to shake off their jitters and jolt Edinburgh’s European dream.
The sides go into battle at the Stade Mayol today with the Gunners on the brink of a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
But defiant skipper Bastareaud insists his troops are hellbent on claiming revenge for their Murrayfield mauling – despite the fact their qualification hopes are dead.
The giant centre said: “This will not be a meaningless match for us. Losing in Scotland hurt us and there is no way we will be lying down to Edinburgh in front of our own fans.
“These people have become accustomed to watching us win – and we want to reward them for their loyalty.”
Edinburgh supremo Richard Cockerill has recalled the bulk of his Test aces for the crucial showdown in the south of France. And he has ordered them to revel in the experience of playing at one of the most iconic rugby venues in the world.
Cockerill, who had a spell as specialist pack guru with Toulon before taking the Gunners reins, said: “Games likes these are what you coach for – what you live for as a player.
“I will tell the guys to travel there with excitement and enjoy it. We have nothing to worry about because we’re good enough to win if we get it right.
“We’ll learn what it feels and looks like to perform in arenas against this type of team.”