Preview: Challenge Cup Final

 

No Scottish club has ever before reached the final of the European Cup (now the Champions Cup) or the second-tier Challenge Cup, so Edinburgh have already broken new ground by qualifying for the showpiece match against English Premiership side Gloucester at Harlequins' Twickenham Stoop ground.

 

Edinburgh thrashed Welsh regional side Newport Gwent Dragons 45-16 in the semifinal and Edinburgh prop Alasdair Dickinson was in no doubt about the importance of what lay ahead for the Scottish capital club.

 

"It's up there with probably one of the most exciting games I've played in," said Dickinson.

 

"It's massive for the club and us as a group of boys," the 44-time capped Scotland front row forward added.

 

Dickinson returned to Edinburgh two seasons ago after spending several campaigns at Gloucester, joining the west country club shortly after they won the Challenge Cup in 2007 by beating Premiership rivals London Irish.

 

"We know what lies ahead of us, it's a massive test, obviously Gloucester are on form as well so it's going to be a challenge," said Dickinson, whose side warmed up for the final with a 37-0 rout of Italian club Zebre that left them seventh in the Pro12.

 

"I think from what the season's been like, I don't think anybody really expected us to get here at the start of the year. It's a huge game."

 

Both sides will have an insight into their opponents given Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons and Gloucester boss David Humphreys worked together as captain and coach at Irish province Ulster in the 2001/02 season.

 

This campaign has been former Ireland outside-half Humphreys's first season as Director of Rugby at Gloucester, where the Australian Laurie Fisher is now the head coach.

 

The Cherry and Whites are a lowly ninth in the Premiership and well adrift in the race for a play-off place, with a raft of international pre-season signings including James Hook, Greig Laidlaw, Richard Hibbard and John Afoa all yet to bed down fully at Kingsholm.

However, Gloucester and England centre Billy Twelvetrees said the European Challenge Cup final offered his side the prospect of a "huge bonus" at the end of the season. 

 

"To be involved in a European final is massive for a group of players that has just come together and to lift silverware individually is big for us," said Twelvetrees, whose side beat west country rivals Exeter 30-19 in the semifinal.

 

The former Leicester midfielder said he hoped his teammates' experience of big matches would come into play on Friday after they scraped past Newcastle 42-40 in the Premiership last weekend.

 

"John Afoa is a World Cup-winner, Greig Laidlaw is Scotland captain, James Hook has 77 caps, Richard Hibbard is a Test [British and Irish] Lion," Twelvetrees said.

 

"These big games are where players have to stand up, and it's where you want to stand up and be counted."

 

If Gloucester lift the Challenge Cup trophy, they will go into a play-off against a Pro12 side next month, with the winners of that game facing the seventh-placed French Top 14 club for a spot in next season's European Champions Cup.

 

 

For Edinburgh: Inside centre Andries Strauss always prides himself on his defence and will not be letting anyome through easy. Tim Visser will want leave Edinburgh on a high and we can expect some bruising runs from the big left wing. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has spearheaded Edinburgh into the Final with his playmaking ability and his goal-kicking will be a threat to Gloucester. Roddy Grant is a terror at the ruck and he will be getting his hands on the ball as much as possible. In the forwards, look out for Anton Bresler as a hard runner and notible line-out jumper. Alasdiar Dickinson will be relishing an opportunity at scrum-time against his former club and is often a threat as a ball carrier.

 

For Gloucester: Speedster Johnny May will be one to watch on the wing, he is a good finisher and can produce individual moments of brilliance. Centre Billy Twelvetrees will be a creative threat for Gloucester and he will spark the backline looking to put players away. All eyes will be on  Welshman James Hook, he is a veteran and dead-eyed with the boot. Greig Laidlaw will be dictating the breakdown and is a leader for the team. In the forwards, look out for Richard Hibbard's bulldozing runs, while tighthead prop John Afoa will bring great technique to the scrum.

 

Head to head: Jonny May and Tim Visser are different wings who can both be dangerous given too much space. James Hook and Phil Burleigh will have an interesting battle with their boots but the spotlight will be on Inside centres Andries Strauss and Billy Twelvetrees in the midfield. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Greig Laidlaw are will be an interesting match-up. Roddy Grant and Matt Kvesic will both throw everything they have at the breakdown, while Anton Bresler and Tom Palmer will have a dual in the line-outs. Johan Afoa v Alasdair Dickinson should prove interesting at scrum-time.

 

These teams have never met in the Challenge Cup before. 

 

Prediction: Edinburgh will put up a good fight, but Gloucester's European experience will prevail to hand them a win by 6 points.

 

Teams: 

 

Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Tom Brown.

 

Gloucester: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 Jonny May, 13 Bill Meakes, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (captain), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 James Hook, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Tom Savage, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Nick Wood.

Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Sila Puafisi , 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Billy Burns , 23 Steve McColl.

 

Date: Friday, May 1

Venue: The Twickenham Stoop

Kick off: 19.45 (18.45 GMT)

Expected Weather: Hazy sunshine during the morning. However, cloud will thicken more during the afternoon. High of 14°C, low of 6°C.

Referee: Jerome Garces (France) 

Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), Mathieu Raynal (France), 

TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)