Challenge Cup record

Edinburgh’s 2015 final came in just their second Challenge Cup campaign, with their maiden appearance in the competition - which saw them exit at the pool stage - coming some 17 years previously. A 19-13 loss Gloucester Rugby in the showpiece game dashed their hopes of a first European title, before back-to-back quarter-finals in 2017 and 2018 ended with defeats to Stade Rochelais (32-22) and Cardiff Rugby (20-6) respectively.

Last season

Competing in the Heineken Champions Cup, Edinburgh were defeated 13-8 at home by Stade Rochelais, but secured their place in the Round of 16 after overcoming a 12-point deficit to win 16-15 at Sale Sharks. However, their European season ended in a 56-3 thrashing by Racing 92 at Paris La Defense Arena.

Head coach

Ex-club captain Mike Blair took over in July, having been an assistant coach with Scotland and Glasgow Warriors from 2016 to 2019, before opting to focus solely on the national team in 2019. The former Scotland scrum-half, who won 85 caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2009, made 49 European appearances for Edinburgh before stints with CA Brive, Newcastle Falcons and Glasgow.

Key players

The Edinburgh pack features several experienced Scotland internationals in lock Grant Gilchrist, prop WP Nel, hooker Stuart McInally and flanker Hamish Watson, who played for the British and Irish Lions this summer. Fly-half Jaco van der Walt has amassed 139 points across 19 games in European competition, while winger Darcy Graham has eight tries in 17. Versatile Argentina backs Emiliano Boffelli and Ramiro Moyano joined this summer.

Pool fixtures

Edinburgh's opening Pool C games see them travel to two Gallagher Premiership sides, first Saracens on December 11 and then London Irish on January 15. A home game against CA Brive follows on January 22, before they host Section Paloise in their final pool fixture in April.

We’ve taken a look at 2015 finalists Edinburgh Rugby as we continue our previews of this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup contenders.