DAVID SOLE

Attention turns to European Champions Cup rugby for the next two weekends for Scotland’s professional teams and both sides have the toughest of starts to their respective campaigns. Glasgow, perennial under-achievers in Europe, welcome Saracens, riding high in the English premiership, to Scotstoun. The Warriors faced Saracens in the competition on the only occasion they qualified for the quarter-finals a couple of years ago, and they had a very difficult afternoon at Allianz Park. Dave Rennie – and Gregor Townsend before him – couldn’t seem to get their players to translate form in the Pro14 into European competition and next weekend will be another stern test for Glasgow to see whether they can step up to match one of the best club sides. Glasgow are also without some of their game-breakers, with Finn Russell thriving in Paris and Stuart Hogg on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Adam Hastings has been staking a strong claim to start next week with some barnstorming performances, although the team has been a little inconsistent, particularly given their recent hiccup in South Africa. They follow the match against Saracens with a trip to Cardiff which, although challenging, should be an opportunity to come away with a win. If Glasgow can win their first two matches it will set them up nicely for their other pool matches in December – the away and home weekends against Lyon, currently fifth in the French Top 14. Edinburgh have an even harder start to their campaign – an away trip to Vern Cotter’s Montpellier who are sitting just below Lyon in sixth. I’m sure Cotter will be loving the chance to show Scottish Rugby what they are still missing, and a visit from Edinburgh, who have been less than convincing in the Pro14 so far, will be Cotter’s golden opportunity. Edinburgh then welcome the Real Madrid of French rugby, Toulon, to Murrayfield the weekend after. Toulon are also past winners of the Champions Cup, although since the departure of Jonny Wilkinson they’ve not been quite the same force in either domestic or European competitions. Edinburgh will have their work cut out to come out of these two matches with two wins, as their coach, Richard Cockerill has pointed out. Edinburgh’s other group member is Newcastle, who have had a torrid start to the season. If the capital side can come away from the group with their reputation intact, if not enhanced, that will be an excellent outcome in their first year back in the top tier of European rugby. I feel Glasgow have the best chance of the knock-out stages, however.

‘ Can Glasgow step up to match one of the best club sides?