Solomons plots for Alpine assault
Coach names his strongest side in bid to top pool
Edinburgh have already secured bragging rights over arch-rivals glasgow Warriors this season by lifting the 1872 Cup after back-to-back victories over them in the Pro12.
now head coach Alan Solomons is confident his team can enhance their superiority even further by keeping the Scottish flag flying in Europe on their own.
A win over grenoble at the Stades des Alpes this evening will guarantee qualification to the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup — in contrast to glasgow, who are already out of the Champions Cup with a game to go.
nine of Edinburgh’s number were named in Scotland’s Six nations squad this week compared to 17 from Warriors, but Solomons is confident that disparity will soon end.
The South African believes that parity on the international scene with their rivals would only benefit Edinburgh in the long term.
‘One of the strengths glasgow have had is t heir powerful representation at international level,’ said Solomons.
‘They have the advantage of more players who can bring back that experience to their club at Pro12 and European level, which makes a massive difference.
‘it’s great to see our guys involved in the current Six nations squad, even the likes of grant gilchrist and Stuart Mcinally, who are just coming back from injury but have been asked to go and train with the international team.
‘Our aim at Edinburgh is that we want as many players in the Scotland national team as possible, which is a good thing. That will be a huge help to the club and glasgow is a prime example of that.
‘ We are getting to have real strength in depth at this club and we have young players coming through who will play for Scotland sooner rather than later.
‘beating grenoble and making the Challenge Cup quarter-finals would be huge for the club and show that our season is continuing in a positive manner.’
Solomons has named as strong a team as he possibly can for tonight’s clash, making 12 changes from the side that beat Agen in Europe last week.
As things stand, grenoble are on 18 points, one ahead of Edinburgh, although the Scots could still qualify even if they were to lose depending on results elsewhere.
The front row of Alasdair dickinson, ross Ford and WP nel, as well as centre Matt Scott and flanker John hardie, who were all rested last weekend, come back into the starting line-up to face the current pool leaders.
his selection show show seriously Solomon sis taking the tournament — and their opponents.
‘grenoble are a good attacking side who will come straight for us from the first whistle,’ said the 65-year-old.
‘There are a lot of threats in their team, particularly gio Aplon, who i know from his days with Western Province in South Africa.
‘ he really i s an outstanding player and really dangerous, as is their South African scrum-half Charl McLeod. They also have nigel hunt, who used to be a former new Zealand sevens player at centre, so we are expecting a side that are going to bring it to us in attack.’
Although Solomons believes grenoble will try to play an open game, he is confident the strength of his forward pack will stop them getting enough ball to really hurt the capital side.
Certainly, with the Scotland front row of dickinson, Ford and nel playing, there is every chance the Edinburgh forwards can lay the foundations for a win.
‘The approach we’ve taken is we’ve got to win this game any way we can,’ admitted Solomons.
‘They’re sitting on 18 points, we’re on 17, so we aren’t thinking about f i nishing second and possibly going through as one of best runners-up. We can’t have that attitude and the experienced players in our team will not let that happen.
‘it is good to be able to field such a strong side and have players like Al dickinson back as he has been missing for six games or so.
‘he is outstanding scrummager and brings a lot of leadership into the team because of his seniority. For him personally, it is important because, with the Six nations coming up, he needs game time.
‘Where better for him to put in a top show than i n such an important game just before the tournament.’