Rugby: We can silence the crowd in Castres, says Ross Ford

• Edinburgh's Ross Ford has experience of winning in France

The 26-year-old British & Irish Lion was an unused substitute in the 33-16 defeat at the hands of Ospreys on Magners League duty last Saturday. However, he is confident the Edinburgh players are now focused on the challenge that the French outfit will present.

"Everyone was disappointed and I think the boys were just frustrated with how things went," he said. "We are looking this week to improve that and play through the phases, four or five minutes at a time, keep hands on the ball and make sure everybody has the calls right, knows what they are trying to do and what the others around them are trying to do."

And stressing the need for wins in the back-to-back clashes with Castres - the second meeting is next Sunday at Murrayfield - in order to maintain an interest in Europe, he added: "Come Christmas time, you have to be looking to pick up the wins and keep the season going. Obviously it's a case of trying to get as many points together as possible in the Heineken Cup to see if you can get to the knockout stages or qualify for the Amlin Cup. So it is a big part of the season around Christmas time and we have to be at our best to be able to compete."

While training has been difficult given the weather, Ford is confident Edinburgh will offer a stern test for an outfit that is sixth in the Top 14 Championship and boasts an unbeaten home record this season.

"I think everybody is up for it, we've been training well this week and making sure everybody knows what it's going to take to go across there and win," he stated.

Ford will form an impressive front row triumvirate with Allan Jacobsen and Geoff Cross, the trio that featured in the 13-6 win at the same venue two seasons ago as Edinburgh posted a first-ever Heineken Cup victory on French soil.

And that threesome, together with the five other players who experienced both sides of a fickle home support that day, know the importance of provoking a repeat of the negative mood that prevailed at the final whistle.

"It's just a typical French crowd. They love their team when they are on top and hope they are going to demolish the opposition. But once you get past that initial hurdle and start playing your own game the crowd can turn," added Ford, echoing the impression given by coach Rob Moffat at Thursday's team announcement that Edinburgh are anticipating an early onslaught from a side seeking to play expansive rugby.

"It's about making sure that we are switched on and making sure that we are physical and we are accurate in what we do. We'll try to play as much rugby as we can and do what we know we are capable of for a full 80 minutes."

And, with the target of wins from their four remaining matches in a tough pool that has dealt the Capital men no favours, Ford understands the importance of concentrating on their own efforts rather than those of the hosts.

"We went across two years ago and came away with the win but it was definitely a big challenge up front.

"They've got a very good pack and a strong scrum so it's just about us making sure that we get the small things right. It's about us being accurate and moving the ball about very quickly," he added before making it clear that the success last time shows there is no reason to be daunted by the prospect of a trip that would once have been a source of great angst for Edinburgh.

"It gives you a little insight into what it takes to win across there and we're trying to pass that onto the boys who haven't been there. We're making them aware of what it takes to win in France," he concluded. We'll try to play as much rugby as we can and do what we know we are capable of for a full 80 minutes."

And, with the target of wins from their four remaining matches in a tough pool that has dealt the Capital men no favours, Ford understands the importance of concentrating on their own efforts rather than those of the hosts.

"We went across two years ago and came away with the win but it was definitely a big challenge up front.

"They've got a very good pack and a strong scrum so it's just about us making sure that we get the small things right. It's about us being accurate and moving the ball about very quickly," he added before making it clear that the success last time shows there is no reason to be daunted by the prospect of a trip that would once have been a source of great angst for Edinburgh.

"It gives you a little insight into what it takes to win across there and we're trying to pass that onto the boys who haven't been there. We're making them aware of what it takes to win in France," he concluded.