Cairns targets Ospreys and a jump up to third spot

Published on Tuesday 25 November 2008 08:51

BEN CAIRNS has urged his Edinburgh colleagues not to let an opportunity to climb into third place in the table slip when the Celtic League resumes with a home clash against 2007 champions Neath/Swansea Ospreys on Friday.

By signing off with a win before the competition went into cold storage for the Autumn internationals, Edinburgh placed themselves handily to climb three places – provided Glasgow slip up at home to Cardiff.

"Ospreys will be slightly weakened," said Cairns in a reference to the fact Wales will be playing Australia at the Millennium Stadium the following day.

But he added: "They have such a good squad it does not matter who they put out they will still be strong."

Overall, though, five-times-capped centre Cairns knows the fixtures have fallen kindly for Edinburgh.

He said: "It will be a tough match for us but this is probably a good time to get Ospreys.

"Then we can take that on into a make-or-break stage so far as our Heineken European Cup qualifying hopes are concerned."

Edinburgh face back-to-back Euro clashes with London Wasps but Cairns is not looking beyond Friday. He said: "Chris Paterson will be back (from a facial injury] and we can take a lot of confidence from the Autumn Tests in looking to kick on."

A total of 12 Edinburgh players figured at various times against New Zealand, South Africa and Canada with Cairns remarking that there are benefits all round.

"It definitely helps playing week in, week out as part of a club combination. That contributed to the win over Canada – and we will be bringing a lot back to Edinburgh."

This was seen to devastating effect when 23-year-old Cairns linked with Nick De Luca to claim his first Scotland try.

Paying tribute to the role of others in the build-up, Cairns said: "My try came from a turned-over line-out."

Such a scenario offers particular scope for adventure with the opposition liable to be caught out through having to suddenly switch from anticipating possession into defensive alignments.

Cairns added: "Nick and I discussed him having a go. It was an awesome sidestep that took him through a gap and I was just gambling over my line of running.

"I had to make sure I got in front of the guy who was defending me and make sure I got outside to score the try.

"From ten to 15 yards out I was sure I was in. I could see their winger coming across but I backed myself to get to the line and, thankfully, I had the pace."

Cairns said the score brought some relief as he had earlier been threatening without breaking through.

"I'd been there or thereabouts and not just in the Canada game but against New Zealand and South Africa as well in the Autumn Tests.

"Early on against the Canadians Nick made a break but we couldn't quite link as the defence knocked down his pass intended for me.

"Then Simon Webster threw a pass over the top of their defence and the ball bounced along the ground just in front of me.

"When the try came it was good to show what I could do for Scotland. Hopefully there will be more to come.

"The try was massive for me especially with the way it came.

"It was great for the club to bring that into an international jersey, awesome in fact. It had been massively frustrating in the previous two games to make line breaks but not score.

"Against Canada something we had to put right was the clinical edge close to the line and what I have learned over my five caps this year is how thin a line it is between getting absolutely trounced and winning.

"But there's a lot to take forward now. Every game you play well in helps your confidence."

There is little doubt, too, that Cairns justified faith shown in him by selectors.

"Against New Zealand it was only my third game back (from a knee injury sustained pre-season].

"So, I had to be pretty happy being able to put myself in the picture for Autumn Test selection.

"I might have missed all three but there's another three games coming up for Edinburgh now before any of our players can think about a break and it is important we do well to maintain the momentum we are bringing from the Canada match."