Lyon V Edinburgh

by **RDW** Wed 14 Jan - 19:57

Lyon V Edinburgh Rugby

Saturday 17th January
20:45 (local time)
Matmut Stadium

Referee Neil Hennessy (Wales)
Touch Judge 1 Simon Rees (Wales)
Touch Judge 2 Chris Williams (Wales)
Fourth Official Christophe Mallet (France)
TMO Paul Adams (Wales)
Citing Commissioner John Byett (England)

Form guide

P W D L PF PA TF TA TB LB P
1 Edinburgh Rugby 4 4 0 0 89 49 8 4 0 0 16
3 Lyon 4 2 0 2 111 108 12 11 2 0 10

12/12/14 Lyon 37 - 28 Bordeaux 8,733
6/12/14 Bordeaux 37 - 29 Lyon 4,250
24/10/14 Edinburgh 25 - 17 Lyon 4,651

14/12/14 L Welsh 6 - 24 Edinburgh 3,258
7/12/14 Edinburgh 25 - 13 L Welsh 3,212
24/10/14 Edinburgh 25 - 17 Lyon 4,651

Official blurb

The Scottish side are currently top of Pool 4 with four victories from their four games to date, but Lyon and fellow French side Bordeaux-Begles remain firmly in the mix for a quarter-final place.

Victories over local rivals Glasgow and at Connacht mean Alan Solomons' team will travel to France full of confidence as they look to complete the task of securing qualification.

Scott credits their European form with helping to turn around a stuttering start to the season, and hopes Edinburgh can kick on over the final two pool weekends.

He said: "We have had some big results this season but never backed them up and that was what was pleasing about the Connacht game. We played very well in difficult conditions and we dominated the second half.

"This is a team that has grown over the last month. We have had injuries and players missing and we are moving in the right directions, but we need to keep it going.

"The European games gave us confidence early in the season with how we beat Bordeaux, and we beat Lyon here despite having a lot of injuries. These two results mean we can focus on doing a job in Europe and really push for qualification."
Lyon must beat Edinburgh or their last-eight aspirations will be over.

Match facts
- Edinburgh and Gloucester are the two clubs with a 100% win rate this season.
- Edinburgh have played three times in France in the Challenge Cup, winning two with both victories coming by a two-point margin.
- Jerome Porical has kicked more goals than any other player in the competition this season, missing just one of his 21 attempts.
- Edinburgh boast the best tackling success rate (89%) in the Challenge Cup this season.

Teams

Lyon
Lyon V Edinburgh Marion10

15 Romain Loursac
14 Paul Bonnefond
13 Waisele Seru Sukanaveita
12 Fabrice Estebanez (capt)
11 Thibaut Regard
10 Lachie Munro
9 Ricky Januarie

1 Bogdan Balan
2 Damien Fitzpatrick
3 Horace Pungea
4 Mickael De Marco
5 Simon Christian Njewel
6 Steevy Cerqueira
7 Karim Ghezal
8 Masi Matadigo

16 Vincent Colliat
17 Sami Mavinga
18 Anthony Roux
19 Frans Viljoen
20 Eugene Nzi
21 Mathieu Loree
22 Didier Tison
23 Jerome Porical

Edinburgh

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Matt Scott
12 Phil Burleigh
11 Tim Visser
10 Greig Tonks
9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford
3 WP Nel
4 Anton Bresler
5 Ben Toolis
6 Mike Coman (capt)
7 Roddy Grant
8 David Denton

16 Neil Cochrane
17 Rory Sutherland
18 John Andress
19 Fraser McKenzie
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Jade Te Rure
23 Andries Strauss

by **RDW** Wed 14 Jan - 20:05

This group isn't as clear cut for Edinburgh as it should be given 4 wins out of 4. The lack of try BPs has made life a little more difficult, even against London Welsh - are we the only team not to get a try BP against them this season??

If Lyon beat us they are right back in the mix, and will surely pick up a try BP against LW in the final round. This means that if we lose the next two games we are going to be out.

If we beat Lyon on the other hand then Lyon are out, and UBB will only be able to overtake us with a BP win, which hopefully won't happen at Murrayfield.

by Tattie Scones RRN Wed 14 Jan - 20:05

I'd urge Edinburgh to play their strongest team for this match. Get the win and qualification is theirs. They can then take it easy against BB instead of pinning all their hopes on the last game of the group.

Would love to see them do it!

by **RDW** Wed 14 Jan - 20:15

I see my thread has been George Carlin'd...

TBH I just don't bother doing it myself because I know he'll tinker with it anway! Very Happy

by **George Carlin** Wed 14 Jan - 20:16

Edinburgh need to kick on here and there is no reason whatsoever why they shouldn't win this game. If they can keep their newfound defensive shape, then they will get there. Am very interested to see who is playing at 10 this time.

by **George Carlin** Wed 14 Jan - 20:16

RDW_Scotland wrote:I see my thread has been George Carlin'd...

Isn't Marion a sight for sore eyes, though?...

by **RDW** Wed 14 Jan - 20:17

She really is.

Are they not the pictures I put in the reverse fixture thread?

by funnyExiledScot Thu 15 Jan - 0:53

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I'd urge Edinburgh to play their strongest team for this match. Get the win and qualification is theirs. They can then take it easy against BB instead of pinning all their hopes on the last game of the group.

Would love to see them do it!

I see this the other way. Rotate now, and play your best side at Murrayfield in the clincher.

Still, we know what Solomons will do. He'll play his best side in both games!

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 15 Jan - 3:34

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I'd urge Edinburgh to play their strongest team for this match. Get the win and qualification is theirs. They can then take it easy against BB instead of pinning all their hopes on the last game of the group.

Would love to see them do it!

I see this the other way. Rotate now, and play your best side at Murrayfield in the clincher.

Still, we know what Solomons will do. He'll play his best side in both games!

Two wins should definitely clinch it then Very Happy

by funnyExiledScot Thu 15 Jan - 3:58

I'm actually getting tired of all this winning. Will we ever lose again....

by **RDW** Fri 16 Jan - 22:57

Edinburgh

15 Jack CUTHBERT
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Matt SCOTT
12 Phil BURLEIGH
11 Tim VISSER
10 Greig TONKS
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Alasdair DICKINSON
2 Ross FORD
3 WP NEL
4 Anton BRESLER
5 Ben TOOLIS
6 Mike COMAN (Captain)
7 Roddy GRANT
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Neil COCHRANE
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Fraser McKENZIE
20 Hamish WATSON
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Jade TE RURE
23 Andries STRAUSS

by **RDW** Fri 16 Jan - 22:59

Only one change for Edinburgh with Cap'n Coman coming back in.

He's certainly going for this!

by RuggerRadge2611 Fri 16 Jan - 23:23

That's a really strong looking side.

I just wish he'd start playing Scott at 12 again.

by **RDW** Fri 16 Jan - 23:26

To be fair, in attack Scott has been playing in the 12 channel the past few games, but stands in defence in the 13 channel. He should be able to slot back in to '12' fairly well for Scotland, and if anything playing at 13 will have improved his defencive positioning.

Of course it isn't ideal that he's caught between the two, and he would be much better off just staying as a 12 playing at 12, but until Edinburgh get a decent 13 I can see him staying there for a while.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 16 Jan - 23:29

As predicted, Solomons at full strength. He'll do the same against Bordeaux as well no doubt and leave Cotter with some knackered players!

Interesting that Ford is listed as captain and not the mighty leader himself.

Strauss on the bench is odd, given he can only play 12, and even then pretty badly and without any hope of impact. Te Rure covers 10 and Burleigh can play 10 and 12, (and Scott is a 12) so it's a really odd decision. I guess it would mean that for Strauss to come on, Burleigh would move to 10 and Tonks to the back three. A lot of upheaval to accommodate a rubbish player!

by **RDW** Fri 16 Jan - 23:30

Apologies - Coman is captain (changed).

by MacKnocked-on Fri 16 Jan - 23:39

Is Heathcote injured as well now or has Te Rure been so impressive in training that they want to see him get some game time? If Heathcote is injured then the 10 options for Cotter are becoming less and less.

by **George Carlin** Fri 16 Jan - 23:46

I noted in the offy preview that Jerome Porical is the most accurate goalkicker in the challenge cup (he's made 20 out of his last 21). So obviously, he's on the bench. Thanks Lyon!

by **RDW** Fri 16 Jan - 23:48

MacKnocked-on wrote:Is Heathcote injured as well now or has Te Rure been so impressive in training that they want to see him get some game time? If Heathcote is injured then the 10 options for Cotter are becoming less and less.

If he's not injured then he's certainly fallen way down the pecking order.

Te Rure has obviously showed something to warrent his inclusion, because I'm pretty sure Bezzy is fit now too.

by **RDW** Sat 17 Jan - 0:33

Tried looking for the Lyon team on their website, and came across this in an interview with one of their players:

What do you remember about the first leg in Edinburgh (25-17)?

MDM: The empty stadium (laughs)!

by **RDW** Sat 17 Jan - 0:39

Lyon

15 Romain Loursac
14 Paul Bonnefond
13 Waisele Seru Sukanaveita
12 Fabrice Estebanez (capt)
11 Thibaut Regard
10 Lachie Munro
9 Ricky Januarie

1 Bogdan Balan
2 Damien Fitzpatrick
3 Horace Pungea
4 Mickael De Marco
5 Simon Christian Njewel
6 Steevy Cerqueira
7 Karim Ghezal
8 Masi Matadigo

16 Vincent Collia t17 Sami Mavinga 18 Anthony Roux 19 Frans Viljoen 20 Eugene Nzi 21 Mathieu Loree 22Didier Tison 23 Jerome Porical

Wholesale changes for Lyon, with only a handful of players kept from last week's narrow defeat to Bayonne.

Have no idea how good any of them are though!

by funnyExiledScot Sat 17 Jan - 1:28

MacKnocked-on wrote:Is Heathcote injured as well now or has Te Rure been so impressive in training that they want to see him get some game time? If Heathcote is injured then the 10 options for Cotter are becoming less and less.

Well there's Tonks, Burleigh, Te Rure, Bezzy and Heathcote in the squad all capable at 10. That's quite a few options, especially when you consider that the soap dodgers, best team in the world ever, have only Russell, Weir and (at a push) Horne.

by Imperialbigdave Sat 17 Jan - 1:33

RDW_Scotland wrote:

6 Steevy Cerqueira

Have no idea how good any of them are though!

Big mental Steevy sounds glaswegian so he must be world class.

by **RDW** Sat 17 Jan - 1:59

funnyExiledScot wrote:
MacKnocked-on wrote:Is Heathcote injured as well now or has Te Rure been so impressive in training that they want to see him get some game time? If Heathcote is injured then the 10 options for Cotter are becoming less and less.

Well there's Tonks, Burleigh, Te Rure, Bezzy and Heathcote in the squad all capable at 10. That's quite a few options, especially when you consider that the soap dodgers, best team in the world ever, have only Russell, Weir and (at a push) Horne.

To be fair, after Tonks and Heathcoat there's a bit of a drop off in quality. Burleigh looked solid enough at 10, but he's looked much better at 12.

No one has any idea what Te Rure is like!

by funnyExiledScot Sat 17 Jan - 2:53

Likewise I have no idea if Te Rure would be a drop in quality. All I know is that he's a 10. I'm also not convinced that there's much better Bezzy and Tonks/Heathcote either. He's not SQ so I'm fine with him not being involved, but I actually thought he was ok when he played last season.

by **George Carlin** Sat 17 Jan - 5:58

OP updated. I laughed until I chundered when I read this in the offy preview:

•Edinburgh boast the best tackling success rate (89%) in the Challenge Cup this season.

Clearly the club trying a completely new approach to that used in the Pro 12.

by **RDW** Sat 17 Jan - 9:18

UBB got a try bp against Welsh tonight, keeping the pressure on Edinburgh

by funnyExiledScot Sat 17 Jan - 15:21

What is the point of London Welsh??

by IanBru Sat 17 Jan - 18:24

Giving Ally Hogg someone to score against? Wink

by funnyExiledScot Sat 17 Jan - 19:01

Nicely done.

by **RDW** Sat 17 Jan - 19:24

4:21 FES - take it that was an unplanned wake up call?

by funnyExiledScot Sat 17 Jan - 20:37

Yes!! BabyfES up from 3am to 5am this morning, and it was "my turn" apparently.

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:05

Game is on French tv so there's a good chance it should be online - first person to find a link, pipe up!

by TJ Sun 18 Jan - 6:20

There are links to the game on one of the usual places. anyone struggling pm me

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:21

Aye I've seen some set up, they don't always work come kick off though

I'll be in touch of I'm struggling Very Happy

by TJ Sun 18 Jan - 6:23

Aye - its too early to tell if it will work. What french tv channel - you might even be able to get a legit feed

by **George Carlin** Sun 18 Jan - 6:28

I did notice that a well known online streaming site (which, for the benefit of the forum police, may or indeed may not have the word 'Wiz' in the name) is no longer in existence, so that narrows the choice considerably. I know where I try now, but if someone gets a clear stream, let's all make like on Sesame Street and share.

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:32

Well I've got a stream up showing highlights of Toulon's massacre - hopefully it will switch soon!

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:34

And btw - you've got to be a VIP to get on the box on my tv...

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:38

Looking promising...

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:40

Definitely the Lyon Edinburgh game - excellent.

by TJ Sun 18 Jan - 6:41

indeed it does. That very important person seems to work

by malky1963 Sun 18 Jan - 6:41

Has someone dropped out of the Lyon line-up?
Lyon were 3-6 favourites with Sporting Index earlier today but are now only 0-3 (ie they were favourites by 4.5 points earlier but are now only favourites by 1.5 points.)

by IanBru Sun 18 Jan - 6:41

Great stuff - could someone hit me up with some streamy goodness?

by IanBru Sun 18 Jan - 6:42

OK, I can see how bad that sounds, but I'm not changing it.

It's there, like history.

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:50

Destroyed their scrum!

3-0

by TJ Sun 18 Jan - 6:54

IanBru wrote:Great stuff - could someone hit me up with some streamy goodness?

You got PM

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:54

Good try!

by GLove39 Sun 18 Jan - 6:57

by **RDW** Sun 18 Jan - 6:58

Are their props even pushing?

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