Edinburgh looking to recreate historic heroics as they travel Castres in the Champions Cup
Co-captains Jaimie Ritche and Grant Gilchrist return to Edinburgh’s starting XV as the team embarks on a pivotal trip to Castres in the third round of the Champions Cup.
The two sides met in round two of the competition and the Scots ran out victorious, 31-20 at the DAM Health stadium.
Ritchie and Gilchrist are two of several changes head coach Mike Blair has made to his side that has remembered what it’s like to win after snatching a last minute victory against Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.
“The way we fought back was really pleasing, but we’re not hiding from the fact that it wasn’t our best performance,” said Blair.
Edinburgh’s back three was due to get some some much-needed reinforcing. However, Argentine high flyer Emiliano Boffelli will not wear the 14 jersey after picking up a knock in training. Boffelli will be replaced by Jack Blain. Henry Immelman returns to fullback after injury.
Boffelli is one of four last minute changes to Edinburgh’s side. Luan de Bruin, Boan Venter, Paddy Harrison are also not fit and haven’t travelled. WP Nel and Blain start. Lee-Roy Atalifo, Nick Auterac, Tom Cruse and Nathan Sweeney come on the bench.
This French excursion is only Edinburgh’s third trip to Stade Pierre-Fabre. Notably, their 2008 trip was the club’s first Champions Cup victory in France. It was a game that featured Blair alongside Edinburgh’s Head of Strength & Conditioning, Mark Robertson.
“It was a really special day. Like a few other clubs in France, the rugby club is the heartbeat of the town, they get really good support and they have a really strong home record.
“I can’t remember the game too much. Robbo [Mark Robertson] did score a try, it was a great day for the club. Winning away from home in France is great and it is a special thing,” Blair recalled.
Making his second start in two weeks and having earned his 50th cap for his club in the second leg of the 1872 Cup, scrum-half Charlie Shiel is relishing the potential rewards from this crusade.
“We’ve had the vision since the start of the season to go as far as we can in these competitions, especially as Edinburgh has been a big club in European rugby in recent years,” said the 25-year-old.
“I grew up watching rugby on the TV with my dad and it’s something I try to continue as much as possible.
“I remember coming along to Murrayfield to watch Saracens v Clermont [2017 Champions Cup final] and Saracens won. When you play against big clubs in France and England it’s great exposure for any player” he added.
French clubs have been in mixed form throughout the competition so far. In pool A, Lyon, Bordeaux, Racing 92 and Castres have all dropped to the bottom of the table, failing to win one game between them.
By contrast, Toulouse and La Rochelle are setting the standard in Pool B with both teams winning all of their pool games so far.
“Going over to France is tough but it’s never off the cards with the team that we’ve got and we’ll take it right to them,” said Blair.
“We’ve played a lot of French teams away in the past. Toulon was a big one for us [beat them away in 2019], getting the win over there, and Bordeaux we were in the fight both times [but lost],” Blair added.
“With Castres, the challenge is playing away against a team with a really strong home record and against players we won’t have come across a huge amount before.
“A trip to France is an opportunity for the guys to bond and to do something special. But we are very aware that it is going to take a huge amount of effort and for us to be on top of her game as well,” the head coach said.
Edinburgh have claimed some famous French scalps in this competition. Memories of Murrayfield rocking in 2012 are immediately conjured up. It has been 10 years since that monumental victory over Toulouse and the capital side are long overdue some new tales of prosperous European adventures deep into the competition.
Escaping Castres’ backyard with the points this afternoon would be a belter of a victory, one to make the rest of the competition take note of the Scots in games to come.
