Rugby: Heineken Cup boost for Edinburgh as they secure third-tier seeding

AN UNBEATEN home record in the past season's Heineken European Cup has ensured Edinburgh Rugby a third-tier seeding when the draw for the 2010-11 tournament is made on 8 June, writes BILL LOTHIAN

Latterly, Edinburgh languished in pool four which denied them the chance to face Italian opposition who, traditionally, have provided the best chance of an all-important away win.

By beating Ulster, Stade Francais and Bath at Murrayfield, the chances of reaching the quarter-finals for the second time in history have been boosted.

Equally, Glasgow are also in pot three – the first time the two Scottish representatives have shared this level of seeding.

Among the sides Edinburgh could face are French new boys Racing Metro – who include ex-Capital favourite Craig Smith – and RC Toulon, while the new Italian combine Aironi are also listed for the first time. Toulon recently signalled their emergence by reaching the final of the second tier Shield helped by former Boroughmuir and Watsonian star Phil Fitzgerald, who has now retired.

Cardiff's victory in the Shield allowed Wales an extra entry with Llanelli going forward to the exclusion of Gloucester.

QUALIFIERS

Pool One: Munster, Toulouse, Leinster, Leicester, Biarritz, Cardiff.

Pool Two: Wasps, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Northampton, Ospreys, Bath, Llanelli Scarlets

Pool Three: Edinburgh, Perpignan, London Irish, Saracens, Ulster, Glasgow.

Pool Four: Newport, Castres, Treviso, Touloun, Racing Metro, Aironi Rugby.