“They’re doing very well - they love to throw the ball about,” he told the club website. “It’s really good to see Kyle Rowe doing well down there - he left us at the end of last season and I think he’s been a revelation for them.

“Most of their games have been high-scoring affairs, so that’s quite exciting with both teams going at it.”

Edinburgh are using squad rotation wisely – balancing their European ambitions with the knowledge that their international players will not be available during the Six Nations.

And Lawrie is confident the less experienced players will step up to the rigours of European competition – because he knows that everyone in the squad is desperate to play.

“They’re a very tight knit group and they work well together through giving opportunities to lead. But ultimately they want to play so we’ve got to try to create opportunities for them to play.

“I think there are only two or three members of the squad who haven’t seen the field yet this season. It’s something we’re really aware of when we go into selection meetings - how engaged is everybody? And how valuable does everybody feel within the environment?

“It’s something that we’re acutely aware of as coaches in selection. Yes, you want to roll out your perceived first team, but also you’ve got to look at the bigger picture. We’re going to lose people during the Six Nations, so it’s about integrating the squad and making sure that no matter who comes in, we can trust them and get the balance right.”

Edinburgh Rugby coach Stevie Lawrie is expecting a high-scoring match as his side travel to London Irish in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon.