Rugby; Coach hails Edinburgh’s never-say-die attitude

“Last week [at Racing Metro] we had a little bit of luck. But the boys dug deep against a really big team and got the last-minute win. We just created an opportunity for ourselves.

“They are a young team and play without fear, which is really important.”

Former Scotland captain Smith is proving a key lieutenant for head coach Michael Bradley of whom he says:

“Michael has brought experience, more structure, organisation and expectation. It is now important for us to be involved in the business end of the season in games like this.”

Edinburgh have won four out of five and regardless of scoring differentials also involving group rivals Cardiff, who play Racing Metro, Smith is confident of progress if the run is maintained.

“There are many [permutations]; Cardiff’s game kicks off at the same time, but we’ll just be concentrating on us.

“A win gets us over the line and we’ll worry about permutations after that.”