Challenge Cup

[Pitfitter1105]

Getting close to the next two games, some handy players seem to be fit again, Vannes not setting the heather alight so hoping for an away win-we’ll be there-then a good home performance the next week against Black Lion will kick off 2025 nicely.

[doedin]

Getting close to the next two games, some handy players seem to be fit again, Vannes not setting the heather alight so hoping for an away win-we’ll be there-then a good home performance the next week against Black Lion will kick off 2025 nicely.

I watched a bit of their game at the weekend knowing we had them the following week. They looked ok, well organized and had some tidy players but little cutting edge. We should be able to make it uncomfortable for Mako Vunipola in the scrum, her looked well past his best. Given their league position I am hopeful we will face 2nd 15 but suspect we should have enough to win there but it depends which Embra team turns up!

[The Feral Goat]

it depends which Embra team turns up!

This.

We can analyse the opposition all we like but our team have to perform first and foremost.

Although we must be difficult to review with no consistency in our displays.

[dolf_lundgren]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face RC Vannes at Stade de la Rabine in the EPCR Challenge Cup
Saturday 11 January (kick-off 1pm GMT/ 2pm local) – live on epcrugby.tv

15. Wes Goosen (42)

14. Darcy Graham (73)
13. Matt Currie (49)
12. James Lang (61)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (101

10. Ben Healy (31)
9. Ali Price (26)

1. Pierre Schoeman (124)
2. Dave Cherry (100)
3. Javan Sebastian (20)
4. Marshall Sykes (74)
5. Sam Skinner (30)
6. Jamie Ritchie (123) CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie (106)
8. Ben Muncaster (38)

Replacements

16. Paddy Harrison (21)
17. Boan Venter (77)
18. D’arcy Rae (15)
19. Glen Young (38)
20. Hamish Watson (165)
21. Charlie Shiel (67)
22. Ross Thompson (11)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (10)

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (pec), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (knee), Magnus Bradbury (compassionate leave), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Grant Gilchrist (hand), Ross McCann (calf), Cammy Scott (ankle).

Pretty much as expected selections. Good to see Lang back, hopefully he can give us a bit more urgency and range of passing in the backs. Hopefully we can keep the little bit of momentum we have and get a win.

No mention of Vellacott, thought if he was fit he would be in the squad, gives more running threat than Shiel or Price.

[liveinhope]

I think Everitt said during the week that although fit he would be giving Ashmann,Hill and Vellacott another week's rest. As ever still a strong selection on paper but will be quite a test tomorrow with Vannes being roared on by an extremely passionate sello ( 11k) crowd.
We shall see..

[Fanscene]

Dug deep and got a deserved win.
At times we dropped off tackles a la Glasgow away, but got over the line.
At least we've qualified for the Last 16. A win next week and we'll be guaranteed home matches up to at least the QFs.

[Pitfitter1105]

What’s weekend, great home crowd and stadium, Vannes all big laddies but we came home almost all fit, Duhan has a niggle and Ben M a just in case? moonboot, but I suspect all will be sore and bruised with all the hard tackles. Roll on next week.

[liveinhope]

I would hope Duhan gets rested next Sunday.Chance to get Paterson bedded in anyway so a game under his belt before Scarlets when 6N players away in camp.Hill,Ashmann and Bradbury likely back and possibly Vellacott in the 23.
Perhaps a chance also for Dodd?
Fingers crossed for Muncaster as he woyuld have been pushing for a bench spot in the 6N and possibly more with Dempsey still tio play after a long injury lay off.

[The Feral Goat]

A BP away win in france and some nice tries but team still does not look confident, always feel nervous about our ability to see match out.

Hopefully winning away gives a boost and we can build on it although I think a few weeks until we are on the road again.

A good win next week gives us a good chance of staying at home deep into cup so important we do not slip up.

[Pitfitter1105]

Guys looked happy and buzzin on the way back, so different to the flight out so hoping this will boost them, a win made the trip home good for the fans too.

[Castlecannon]

Only saw highlight . Despite the score line it looked a pretty convincing performance and one that will hopefully boost confidence for the next half of the season . Winning away needs a level of mentality of confidence and detail in prep that at times seemed to be absent from this version of the Gunners . Well done all.

[The Feral Goat]

Not a bad performance given 50mins with 14.

Thought crosbie, Skinner and lang were very good.

Wells looks promising, was composed and played well.

Healy controlled play from the red card onwards good kicking for territory.

Not a classic, but a decent professional effort kept to task. It is the sort of match we have made heavy weather of in the past.

[Chris]

We get Emirates Lions (we're at home, of course) in the last 16.

https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/matches