Rugby: Edinburgh are an outside bet to follow Leinster's lead

Published on Monday 25 May 2009 10:11

EDINBURGH RUGBY were today quoted at 50-1 to succeed new Heineken European Cup winners Leinster next season, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

The call-over comes from Irish bookmakers, Boylesports, who make three times winners Toulouse and twice successful Munster favourites. The draw for the 2009-10 event will be held during the week beginning June 8.

The full odds are: 4-1 Munster, Toulouse; 8-1 Stade Francais; 10-1 Leinster, Leicester; 14-1 Ospreys; 16-1 Perpignan; 18-1 Cardiff; 20-1 Harlequins, London Irish, Bath, Northampton; 25-1 Gloucester; 25-1 Clermont; 40 Scarlets, Sale, Biarritz; 50-1 Edinburgh; 66-1 Ulster, Brive; 100 others.

Meanwhile, Saturday's final, in which Leinster came from behind to defeat Leicester 19-16 at Murrayfield, has been hailed by Euro bosses.

Derek McGrath, ERC chief executive, said: "The 14th Heineken Cup final was a fantastic European occasion on and off the field and one that the whole city of Edinburgh embraced.

"The supporters from across Europe converged on the Scottish capital and received a warm welcome and I'm sure will leave with some great memories. The exciting season finale was a fitting result for the months of preparations carried out by our Edinburgh 2009 event partners and is certain to leave a positive legacy for the city and Scottish rugby."

Leinster's coach, Michael Cheika, said: "The crowd was unbelievable and the atmosphere in the stadium was amazing."

His comments were echoed by Leinster's stand-off, Jonathan Sexton, who kicked their winning penalty. He said: "The atmosphere in Edinburgh and in the stadium itself was fantastic."

A crowd of 66,523 watched. Lothian and Borders Police reported no arrests at the game and "no incidents of note" afterwards.

&#149 SCOTLAND'S sevens team are looking forward to building on their best-ever success at their own Murrayfield tournament this weekend.

Skipper Scott Forrest's team reached the semi-final at the Emirates/IRB grand prix circuit London tournament yesterday before losing 26-12 to eventual winners England.

However, the teams meet again in a pool match this Saturday and Scots coach Stevie Gemmell said: "It was the first ever Cup semi-final for Scotland's sevens and you can't take that away from the players. Hopefully we've given the fans something to be proud of and we'll look to build."