Brilliant battle of back-row titans

Watson and Faletau duel excites Edinburgh boss

IT promises to be a clash of the back-row titans when Edinburgh host Bath in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup this evening. Both teams have picked strong line-ups boasting a wealth of internationals for the game at the DAM Health Stadium.

A Test match in all but name, Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair has highlighted the ‘world-class’ talent Bath possess, particularly in a formidable back-row unit.

Wales stalwart Taulupe Faletau returns from injury to start at No 8 for the English side, who have had a tough season and sit bottom of the Premiership.

A veteran of three British and Irish Lions tours, Faletau has long been established as one of the best in the business.

At openside flanker is Sam Underhill, a player who was outstanding in England’s run to the World Cup final in 2019.

Had it not been for injury, Underhill would almost certainly have been playing for the Lions in South Africa last summer.

Making up the back-row trio is Josh Bayliss, a player who has broken through into the Scotland squad in recent times.

Yet, in Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury and Ben Muncaster, the Edinburgh back row also boasts a wealth of talent. Watson’s record speaks for itself, while Bradbury and Muncaster have taken their game on to a new level this season. ‘You look at Bath’s team selection, it is an impressive side,’ said the capital side’s head coach Blair (left). ‘The back-row in particular, but they’ve got internationals throughout their team, speed and power on the wing, so this is going to be a proper test for us. ‘I know that some teams won’t go full strength in these games even though it is into knockout but, as you can see from the selections, this is a really important match for both sides. ‘Bath are a quality squad with worldclass players in their squad — Faletau (bottom, right) is one example. They’ll be targeting this competition.

‘Their results and performances have improved week on week. So it’s a massive test for us against a top quality Premiership team.

‘Magnus (Bradbury) has played a fair bit for us this season and he’s backing games up and playing really well.

‘Ben Muncaster was recently voted Player of the Month, and he’s been fantastic in the way he has stepped up.

‘Then you’ve got a British and Irish Lion in Hamish Watson (top, right), with Connor Boyle snapping at his heels. This will be a really good challenge for these guys against a top quality Bath back row.’

Scotland winger Darcy Graham misses out for Edinburgh due to a minor muscle complaint, but Blair confirmed that it is not expected to be a long-term issue.

Blair also highlighted the threat posed by Bath fly-half Orlando Bailey, the impressive youngster who has been selected ahead of Danny Cipriani.

‘He’s really talented,’ said the Edinburgh boss. ‘He seems to have to have the ability to pick out the right runner but he’s also a runner himself and a threat.

‘He’s a really impressive young player and someone we’re going to have to keep an eye on and shut down.’

Edinburgh have Blair Kinghorn and Ben Vellacott back as the first-choice pairing in the half-backs.

Argentine duo Ramiro Moyano and Emiliano Boffelli start on the wings, with South African Henry Immelman completing the back three.

Grant Gilchrist captains the side at lock, with a front row of Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally and Lee-Roy Atalifo.

WP Nel would have been in line to play but he was handed a three-week ban for making contact with the head of an opponent in last week’s win over Pau.

Blair admits that he was torn over whether or not to contest the decision to ban the Scotland prop. ‘We’re disappointed with the suspension of WP,’ he said. ‘It’s a funny process. Deciding how we played that out is probably one of the most stressful things I’ve done. ‘I believe that half the people looking at it would say it is fine and there’s no red card, and half the people would say it is a red-card offence. So it was a really difficult process. ‘It is the first time I have been involved in something like that and I changed my mind time and time again about whether to challenge it or not, whether to take the risk of him getting a longer suspension. ‘I think, for us, the potential negatives outweighed the potential positives.’ Kick-off: 8pm, DAM Health Stadium.