EDINBURGH'S Test-window slump, losing three out of the four games that clashed with the Guinness Six Nations, has put them in a perilous position and they need to start winning, insists Henry Pyrgos, the scrum-half and key leader.
"We’re in a tough spot in the league," he admitted as they prepare to take on conference leaders Leinster. "We’re probably going to have to win all our games.
“We’ve got to perform really well. We know the quality Leinster have, lots of depth, but it’s exciting being back at Murrayfield with our international guys back.”
The club have already made clear that they are going to field as many of their Test players as protocols allow to try to rescue them from the position they are in – fifth in the conference that Leinster have already won and seven points behind Ulster for the final play-off spot.
Just as important, they are three points behind the Scarlets in the fourth spot that earns the consolation of a play-off against either Cardiff Blues or Connacht for a spot in next season's Heineken Champions Cup.
Fortunately for them, some key players are likely to return in time to launch the final stand, including John Barclay, who will be on the bench when the team is announced later today, and Hamish Watson who only played 102 minutes during the Six Nations after breaking his hand just before it started.
With those leaders back in harness and the desperate need for victories, Pyrgos is adamant that the chance of a record crowd for their Champions Cup quarter-final won't be a distraction.
"I don’t think in my time playing rugby I’ve looked past the next weekend," replied Pyrgos when asked about concerns over attention potentially slipping to the following week.
"We’re up against a quality team. Especially at home, we need to go out and perform. Every time you get to wear the Edinburgh shirt you need to go out and do the team justice, put down a marker and give ourselves confidence.
"Yes it’s good to have everyone back. The Six Nations is a pretty long tournament so some of the boys have been away for a while. It’s good to catch up with them again. There was a good buzz at training.
"There were a lot of boys out there, a big squad. It’s not always like that through the season. There will be some real competition for places and depth and we’ll need that.”
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