Rugby: Too much at stake to allow Dragons a chance, says Edinburgh star Roddy Grant

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 09:31

RODDY GRANT insists Edinburgh Rugby have come too far in the past fortnight to take a backward step when Newport Gwent Dragons visit Murrayfield on Sunday in the Magners Celtic League.

The 22-year-old flanker, who has been involved in each of Edinburgh's eight outings so far, including seven starting roles, says: "After successive wins over Ulster and Munster, if we lose this then those previous wins won't count for much."

Only a few weeks ago Edinburgh were perceived to be fragile in the contact areas but assiduous attention to detail has turned a weakness into a strength, leaving Grant on an all-time high.

As he prepares for his tenth competition appearance, albeit starting on the bench against a team who provided the opposition when his professional career got underway with now defunct Border Reivers, Grant maintains: "Beating a team of Munster's calibre is the highlight for me so far at club level.

"It is the prize scalp but taking into account the fact we beat another side with a European Cup win on their CV the previous week, Ulster, it is more important than ever that we don't take our eye off the ball and undo that good work.

"We did struggle a bit against Leinster, Ospreys and Stade Franais when going through a bad run so it is satisfying to see those results turned around.

"Key has been a solid defence and nobody felt we were ever going to lose to Munster even though the winning margin was a narrow 12-7."

At one stage Munster claimed for a try and, while the decision was referred to the television official who eventually rejected the call, the Irish visitors retreated to their own half anticipating a conversion.

Although he played down the fact it was his hand underneath the ball carried by Irish internationalist David Wallace by saying "I maybe got in the way a bit, but that was all," Grant said.

The Botswana-born star, who is eligible for Scotland through his parentage, said: "I think Munster, by retreating, were just trying it on to see if they could pull the wool over the television official's eyes.

"Fortunately it didn't work. It wasn't a try and we went on to score a great win.

"That has reinforced our belief that we can beat any opponent and there is definitely a business-like feel to this Edinburgh side. We are a close-knit group who can only ever concentrate on each upcoming game. But there is a belief that if we can do that then trophies will follow."

Edinburgh currently lie third in the table alongside Leinster who have a superior scoring differential with Ulster one point ahead at the top.

That illustrates the competitive nature of the league and Grant, almost certain to appear at some stage against Dragons, feels it is essential to be properly prepared every time.

"We came in from beating Munster feeling very satisfied then took the weekend to clear our heads.

"Returning to training we reviewed the game then put the focus firmly on Dragons.

"I played against them in a Border jersey and found them a very physical side. I don't suppose anything much has changed and they'll continue to play good rugby based on powerful ball carriers." In fact, Edinburgh have struggled against Dragons in the past and went three matches in-a-row without a win in the fixture before finally laying the bogey in the closing stages of 2008-9.

Grant adds: "They have two players, flanker Dan Lydiate and second row Luke Charteris, in the Welsh squad which faces New Zealand six days after our match.

"But with that pair missing the incentive exists for a couple of others to come in and prove a point which is a further reason for us to be wary."

Indeed, while Dragons may have gone down 3-18 to Llanelli Scarlets last time out, they are one of only two teams to beat leaders Ulster – Edinburgh are the other – which is what coach Rob Moffat will doubtless be reminding his players of.