Scott hopes Irish eyes aren’t smiling

THE growing confidence of the forward pack has been the secret to an Edinburgh revival that has now carried the team into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Friday night’s 38-20 win over Bordeaux-Begles, one of the emerging forces in French rugby, sealed Edinburgh’s place atop the pool, though they were made to rue the loss to Lyon by just missing out on a home tie — they finished fifth seed — and so face a trip to London Irish.

It was the manner of the victory as much as the result itself, however, that had the Edinburgh coaches purring. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne deserved his man-of-the-match award, with a 28-point haul, but forwards coach Steve Scott is delighted with the progress of his pack.

‘The European games came at the right time for us and have really given the players a lot of confidence,’ said Scott.

‘I have quite a bit of experience of the European competitions and it all depends on your first two games.

‘We started the season well but hit a terrible period with as many as 24 or 25 injuries at one time — we were selecting teams where seven or so front-line forwards were unavailable, so it can be a challenge to develop what you’re trying to.

‘But then we went to Bordeaux, won there and took real confidence from that and we backed that up with a win against Lyon. When you look at the games we’ve played when we’ve had most of our squad fit, you see what we’re capable of.

‘We beat Munster, Treviso, Cardiff, Dragons, Glasgow and now Bordeaux twice, as well as Lyon and London Welsh, who might be struggling a bit but they’re still an English Premiership side.

‘It is disappointing not to get a home quarter-final, but we will look forward to going to London Irish when it comes round.

‘But our focus has always been on finishing in the top six of the Pro12 and getting back into the main European Champions Cup next season, so we’re pleased with Friday’s win. But the focus now is back on the league.’