Edinburgh prepare to test European pedigree
Alan Solomons has made five changes to his Edinburgh side ahead of their European Rugby Challenge Cup opener
©Press Association
Edinburgh are preparing to make their debut in the European Rugby Challenge Cup with a clash against in-form French side Bordeaux-Begles at the Stade Andre-Moga.
They stormed into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup in 2012 but following a reorganisation of European competition, they will this year compete in the Challenge Cup, the replacement for the Amlin Challenge Cup.
As Edinburgh finished last year's Pro12 in eighth place, and Glasgow Warriors were runners-up, they missed out on qualification for the new European Champions Cup.
But Edinburgh can expect no easy ride tomorrow (Friday 17th October) as they travel to France to take on a Bordeaux-Begles side that has recently dished out hammerings to Clermont-Auvergne and Castres.
Edinburgh's first win in five Pro12 matches this season came with a 24-10 win over Newport-Gwent Dragons last weekend.
Head coach Alan Solomons is acutely aware of the challenge facing his side as they open their campaign.
"Friday night's game presents a massive challenge for us," he said.
"Bordeaux-Begles have, in the last two weeks, given fifty-point thrashings to two of the top French teams, Clermont Auvergne and Castres and, in so doing, have established themselves as one of the leading teams in France.
"They are riding high and will be particularly dangerous at home in front of their vociferous support. We are all looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
He has made five changes to his squad following their win over the Dragons at home.
With Cornell du Preez unavailable due to a leg injury, captain Mike Coman switches from blindside to number eight with Tomas Leonardi coming in to the pack.
Willem Nel starts at tighthead, Phil Burleigh comes in at stand-off and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne at scrum-half.
London Welsh and Lyon are the other two sides in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup.
