Edinburgh vs Montpellier: Champions Cup Preview

Edinburgh vs Montpellier – 18/1/19
It’s first versus second on Friday night in Pool 5 of the Champions Cup. Edinburgh have won four out of their five European fixtures and currently sit three points clear of Montepellier who have three wins and two losses so far.
Edinburgh:
Richard Cockerill’s side travelled to Toulon in their last Champions Cup match where they came out as unlikely winners, just shy of a bonus point.
Cockerill gave a pragmatic response to his sides victory against the previous Champions Cup winners.
“We need to make sure we don’t get ahead of ourselves but to come here and win is big for us,” he said.
“We were too good for them tonight which is credit to us. Next Friday we need to get it right. If we win, we potentially get a home quarter-final and then that gives you the best chance to progress.”
Cockerill will be relying on his key players to deliver strong performances if his side want to continue their good run of form.
Fly-half Jaco van der Walt, wing Duhan van der Merwe and tighthead WP Nel have all been on hand to guide the Scottish side to success over the last few months and will most likely feature on Friday night.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, named his Six Nations squad today, with 12 Edinburgh players being included.
Montpellier: 
Vern Cotter will take confidence from his sides last European performance which saw them score seven tries and knock-out Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.
Utility back Henry Immelman, scored two tries continuing his record of scoring in every Champions Cup match he has featured in this season. Cotter will hope that the South African can extend his run of form later this week.
Paul Willemse was recently called up to France‘s Six Nations squad and was able to cross the white line after coming on at half-time.
Cotter expects a tough challenge from Edinburgh.
He said,”Edinburgh is a team that doesn’t have much of a flaw, with many Scottish internationals. We’ll have to be very disciplined.”
MATT WALKER