Nick De Luca seeking closure as he is still haunted by missed chances at Bath

Published on Friday 18 December 2009 23:25

IF GLASGOW head to Gloucester tomorrow in search of a finish to what would be a fine Heineken Cup double, Edinburgh are back at Murrayfield this afternoon simply seeking to uncover a finish.

It is likely that no-one was more exasperated by last week's defeat to Bath at the Recreation Ground than international centre Nick De Luca after the attacking talent squandered one of the clearest opportunities to score a try that could have laid the platform for a good away win. It stemmed from his own good work in intercepting a pass inside Edinburgh's 22, but when he reached the opposition 22 an inter-change with Ben Cairns failed to outsmart the covering defence and led to nil points.

De Luca was still having nightmares about it this week, but striving to eradicate them having not found an answer.

"It was disappointing to say the least," he admitted. "It's normally easier with hindsight to see what you should have done, but even after watching it a few times this week I'm still not sure what I should have done. It was symptomatic of the game for us though – creating openings but not taking them and that's the most frustrating thing for any player.

"There was a great break down the left with Tim Visser as well that we didn't finish, and other chances we should have done better with and we are all experienced enough to know by now that in a competition as intense as the Heineken Cup you have to take every chance.

"But we didn't play well in a number of areas last week. We had a bad start, including myself with a missed tackle on Nick Abendanon which helped to gift them a first try, and the set-piece wasn't as rock solid as it's been for us this season. The collision area has to be better as well; they (Bath] won that area and we lost ball we should have regained and that also let them off the hook."

The 16-9 defeat last week has slimmed hopes of a place in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, but good wins over Bath, at Ulster and home to Stade Francais could yet prove enough for only a second appearance in the last eight.

"I know we're capable," said De Luca. "I'm not a big fan of stats but in terms of line-breaks we are up there against the best teams this season, but, yeah, that means nothing if you don't finish off. We've had times before where we've been on a run of scoring tries and nothing is different on the training field, in the preparation or even the players really, but supporting runners are just there when you break, because they're in a rhythm of expecting guys to break.

"It's like a habit. When you're scoring tries every week, then boys are running lines off others expecting an off-load, but when you are not in the habit of scoring tries, you're maybe trying to plan for it more, build it up more, and not taking the chance or expecting someone to break. Craig Hamilton made a great break at Bath and the big man was all on his own, which was typical but unacceptable for us.

"We have a great back line and we know from training that we're as dangerous in attack as ever, so we're still confident. I think we just have to be a bit braver and have the guts to go for the big plays, to run a line in the belief that the ball will come and that starts this weekend."

Bath head north buoyed by an ability to hang on and defend, to claim a precious rare victory this season, and coach Steve Meehan believes he has sensed a shift in attitude this week.

They are a good rugby-laying side which can suit Edinburgh, in allowing space to develop this afternoon, but they are also quick to exploit opportunities. Hence, this game, more than others Edinburgh will play, is likely come down to who can finish the better.

De Luca added: "It means you have to be on your toes more than in some other games, and it makes for a great game for the supporters, but I don't think they'll be delighted with their performance last weekend either, and they'll know they'll have to be better to beat us at Murrayfield.

"We can't do anything to change last week's game now, and have to just take confidence from the fact that away from home at an intimidating ground we played poorly yet still should have won. Now, we're back in front of our own supporters and we have to make up for that, by finishing off."

Young academy hooker Lewis Niven was yesterday called onto the Edinburgh bench for the first time after Andrew Kelly was forced to withdraw with a calf injury.