Big guns at ready
Cockerill’s wish is granted as Edinburgh land European giants on their return to the top table
RICHARD Cockerill wanted the big guns. And when yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup draw was done and dusted, the Edinburgh head coach had certainly got his wish.
While the prospect of ex-Scotland boss Vern Cotter returning to Murrayfield with his Montpellier team is certainly one to savour, three-time champions Toulon and Dean Richards’ Newcastle also provide no little star quality in an exciting looking Pool Five.
‘It is great to get the big teams,’ said a delighted Cockerill, who has taken Edinburgh back into Europe’s premier tournament in his first season in charge after a three-year absence.
‘With respect to Newcastle Falcons, Montpellier and Toulon, the buying power that they have, they’ve pretty much got world XVs. To be able to test ourselves against those teams, both home and away, is fantastic.
‘We should be excited that Edinburgh, as a club, are mixing with that company and let’s hope we do ourselves justice.
‘We want to compete and go up against the very best and this is our chance.’
For Cockerill, there is an air of familiarity about the draw. He worked under Richards while a player at Leicester Tigers and, just prior to the beginning of his Edinburgh tenure, he had a brief stint coaching Toulon in 2017.
‘Toulon have been European champions multiple times and I know them well from coaching them,’ added Cockerill.
‘Montpellier were finalists in last season’s Top 14, while Newcastle reached the Aviva Premiership semi-finals after a brilliant season.
‘It’s a brilliant chance to test ourselves against that calibre of club and player, but also to prove that we’re as good as them, as well. We’ve got some very good players in our squad — many of whom are in the Scotland set-up — and we’ll go out to prove ourselves worthy at the top table.
‘I’m looking forward to going away to Toulon, Montpellier and Newcastle, but to bring that quality of team to Edinburgh, in front of our supporters, who they will see a lot of on TV and read about, will be fantastic.’
What makes Newcastle’s involvement in Edinburgh’s group all the more intriguing is that the SRU want to buy a stake in the club. Talks have started and, although they are progressing slowly, it is still on the agenda of SRU chief executive Mark Dodson.
The Falcons are playing in the Champions Cup for the first time in 14 years after a remarkable campaign when they made the league play-off semi-finals, losing to Exeter Chiefs.
The competition carries extra significance for them this year with the final set to be played at Newcastle FC’s St James’ Park.
Richards, a two-time Champions Cup winner during his time in charge of Leicester, said: ‘It’s exciting for us to be back in the competition. All six games will provide fierce opposition, but we’re relishing the opportunity and looking forward to testing ourselves in Europe’s top level tournament.’
Glasgow Warriors, who didn’t get out of their European group last season, have perhaps the slightly easier pool.
Their main qualification rivals are English Premiership champions Saracens, who put them out at the quarter-final stage two years ago.
French Top 14 semi-finalists Lyon and European Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues will make up Pool Three.
Warriors assistant head coach Kenny Murray hopes they can make up for last year’s poor showing when they lost five out of their six European matches.
‘Saracens are one of the top English sides and Lyon are one of the top French teams, but it’s achievable to get through to the knockout stages,’ said Murray.
‘We’ve had some really tough groups and last year’s group was incredibly tough, but we have competed with the best sides in Europe and there is no reason why we can’t do that again.’
Lyon finished fifth in the Top 14 last season and Cardiff won the Challenge Cup. It is a more favourable draw compared to last season when Glasgow faced Montpellier, Exeter and the eventual winners Leinster.
‘We’ve played Saracens recently and we know how tough that will be, but they are not unbeatable and that will be a good test for us,’ continued Murray.
‘We’ve managed to get some good wins against Cardiff Blues in recent times but they are a team we have huge respect for.
‘Lyon, though, will be a bit of an unknown quantity.’