Until this week the Edinburgh players who sent shock waves through European rugby with their thrashing of three-time Champions Cup winners Toulon in October have not been together since, but they can draw on that experience ahead of their crucial forthcoming double-header with Newcastle Falcons, according to their vastly experienced scrum-half Henry Pyrgos.
The 29-year-old joined the capital outfit this summer after spending eight years as part of a Glasgow Warriors squad that was consistently competitive in domestic competition, but unable to make a significant impact in Europe.
He arrived just after Edinburgh earned the right to compete with Europe’s elite for the first time in five seasons and among the lessons brought from years of competing in the Champions Cup is that they need to make their move now in the forthcoming double-header with Newcastle Falcons, who are the surprise pool leaders after following up their own shock win in Toulon by claiming another major French scalp when Montpellier visited.
“Every game in the league and Europe is big for us, but double-headers in Europe are an exciting time,” said Pyrgos. “It shows you where you’re going to end up in the group. It’s a big opportunity that can put you in contention or take you out of contention.”
Originally part of the Scotland squad for the autumn Tests, but one of those who were released early in that campaign to focus on club matters, Pyrgos said that the return of the rest of those who had been involved with the national team throughout November had lifted Edinburgh after a difficult weekend that had seen a much weakened team suffer a hiding in Munster.
“When the international periods come in Scotland obviously a lot of the guys go away, so it’s a good and a hard time. It gives young guys opportunities which, for the club going forward, is a good thing, exposing them to that level which ultimately will develop us going forward, but obviously they’re international guys because they’ve got a lot of quality,” he observed.“(So) it was great to have these guys with a real high skill level back and that’s why they’re doing what they’re doing because they’re playing really well.”
Reunited, he believes that reminding one another of how they performed the last time they were together can help the mindset, while acknowledging that it will be fairly meaningless if they cannot attain those heights again when Newcastle visit tomorrow.
“Getting wins like that gives you belief as a squad that you can play at this level,” said Pyrgos “I think we got that from Montpellier as well. We didn’t get the win there, but I think we felt that we should have. That does give you confidence, but that doesn’t really mean much when you go into a game at the weekend. It’s always about the next game, so it’s great having all the international boys back but we’ve really got to go out and put in a performance.”
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