Edinburgh’s build-up to their European Champions Cup campaign opener against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium in Barnet, north London, this afternoon has been far from ideal, with the capital side suffering back-to-back losses against Benetton away and Munster at home in the United Rugby Championship during the last fortnight.
Both those matches were eminently winnable, with Benetton reduced to 14 men by the red-carding of Italian international Matteo Minozzi after just 10 minutes, and Munster trailing 17-7 just before half time but then blowing the Scottish side away after the break.
If Edinburgh are as lacklustre as they were in these two matches then a sound thrashing from the three-times European champions – who have won all nine games played in this season’s Gallagher Premiership – is on the cards.
The Scottish side may take some confidence from having bettered these opponents 21-18 when they visited the same venue in the second-tier Challenge Cup a year ago today, but as inside-centre James Lang acknowledges, this game will bring a significant step up in intensity from the hosts.
“I know we won there last year, and it was a great experience, but it will be a different game this year,” he said. “They will be firing on all cylinders and desperate to get their European campaign off to a flying start.
“They wouldn’t have been particularly excited about playing in the Challenge Cup, whereas the Champions Cup is where all the top teams want to impress.
“From our perspective, coming off the back of two disappointing results in the URC, it is a great opportunity for us to step up and put a marker down to show everyone we are here in the Champions Cup to stay.
“We’re not reading too much into that game last season, but we are aware that the biggest thing that day was our physicality, so we’ve spoken about recreating that this week.
“If you give Saracens momentum and time on the ball, they are going to be deadly and cut you open, so the biggest thing is going to be the forwards matching them physically up front and the backs not giving them time to play.
“We know it is going to take an 80- plus minute performance to make that happen and if we are off it for a few minutes, a few plays, we will be punished.”
Saracens’ team selection demonstrates their intent in this competition, with six players British and Irish Lions caps – Mako and Billy Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly – in the starting XV.
Meanwhile, Scotland are represented in the home ranks by starting winger Sean Mairland, as well as replacement forwards Callum Hunter-Hill and Andy Christie.
Lang points out that in such circumstances, it is important to avoid becoming totally bogged down by the threat the opposition poses.
“We have focused on ourselves as well because I think our attacking ability is great with the personnel we have and the shape we play,” he said.
“Playing against the Premiership and Top 14 teams brings a different physicality, and if their packs get dominance it can be a long day, but I don’t think the Champions Cup is that big a step up, to be honest. You see it with results, everyone can beat everyone on their day.
“But these are the games you want to play in, the competition where you want to test yourself against the best in Europe, and we’ve got an opportunity to do that against arguably one of the best teams of the last decade, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Not only is this game a chance for the team to set their season on upward trajectory, it is also a big opportunity for Lang personally.
He admits that he has been frustrated in recent months by a lack of regular game time, but Chris Dean – his rival for the Edinburgh No.12 jersey – is out of action due to a concussion.
“Deano has been playing really well and had a good run of games which is good for the team, but we all want to play as much as we can,” said Lang.
“I obviously want to make the most of this chance I have, but the key for me is to just put my best foot forward this weekend for the good of the team and not worry too much about what the coaches might be thinking. I have done a lot of that in the past and it doesn’t get me anywhere.”
