Rugby: Allan Jacobsen says Edinburgh not here Toulouse

Declaring that Edinburgh were not content merely to reach the knock-out stages for only the second time, Jacobsen, whose 68th appearance in the competition when beating London Irish 34-11 yesterday took him past late call-off Chris Paterson, said they could continue to progress.

“We just need to concentrate on our game. There does not seem to be that fear of other teams. If we get our drills right we can play against any team. We can beat Toulouse. If we do our jobs right I don’t think we need fear anyone.”

Jacobsen relishes the fact that the quarter-final will come soon after the end of the Six Nations Championship in which he is expected to play an integral role for Scotland.

“There is no let up. It is just the way it is,” he said.

One of a handful of survivors from the Edinburgh team which last reached the quarter-finals in 2004, prop forward Jacobsen paid tribute to a raft of younger players who have come into the squad this season and ensured qualification as a group winner for the first time.

“People would probably have laughed if we had said we were going to get a home quarter-final – something no Edinburgh team has ever done,” he said.

“We have lost a lot of good experienced players over the last couple of years. If you are honest people said we were going to struggle with young guys who haven’t proved themselves.

“In fact, they have come in and shut everyone up.”

“Everyone is hungry, everyone wants to play. People who are coming in having shown they can do it at this level and it’s brilliant.

“The 2004 team was a great one to play in with great players and in some ways it is very similar. The main difference is the age.”

• EDINBURGH flanker Dave Denton has offered reassurances he will be fit to add to his one cap in the Six Nations after withdrawing with a hamstring strain from Edinburgh’s win.

He tweeted: “Just a tweak should be back in action soon.”