ONE SLIP-UP COULD KILL OUR DREAM
FRASER McKENZIE believes Edinburgh face three “cup finals” on the trot in their quest for league glory.
And the stand-in skipper reckons the Gunners must win them all to qualify for the Pro14 title play-offs.
McKenzie issued his verdict as he stepped up preparations for Friday’s clash with the Dragons at Murrayfield.
The giant lock said: “We are approaching the next batch of matches in the same manner as usual.
“But the bottom line is each game will be like a cup final because if we slip up once we could be out of contention.
“We need results against the Dragons and then from the matches with Cardiff at home and Treviso in Italy.
“However, there is no extra pressure on us because we know we are good enough to be part of the knockout stages.
“It is a case of looking forward to these games as opposed to being nervous about them.
“Over the last decade we have been out of it at this stage of the season in most years and we have been playing dead rubbers.
“Last year we put ourselves in the mix – and it is the same this time round.”
McKenzie agreed that during the Six Nations spell the onus is on him and the other senior players to lead by example.
He said: “The experienced guys must step up while others are away on Scotland duty.”
Meanwhile, Adam Ashe will embark on a double mission when Glasgow square up to Cardiff on Saturday.
The breakaway forward is determined to help the Warriors boost their Pro14 title play-off hopes.
And he wants to show Scotland boss Gregor Townsend he is the man to shore up his back-row in the wake of the latest Six Nations injury blow.
Ashe said: “The biggest focus is on winning well down in Wales. But I also hope to perform strongly with Scotland in mind.”