Both Edinburgh and Glasgow go into their final round of group games this weekend assured of qualification for the last 16 of their respective European competitions.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at where the two teams stand and what they must do to ensure they have home ties in the next round.
How are Edinburgh getting on in the Champions Cup?
Mike Blair’s men sit fifth in Pool A with 11 points after winning two of their three matches so far. Having lost narrowly away to Saracens in their opener, they bounced back with convincing home and away wins over Castres. Their 34-21 victory in France last Saturday was enough to ensure they will finish in the top eight of their 12-team section and progress to the last 16.
What is at stake in Edinburgh’s final group game?
The four highest-placed teams in each pool are guaranteed a home match in the round of 16 and in the quarter-final if they get there, so Edinburgh will have plenty to play for when they welcome Saracens to Dam Health Stadium on Sunday. A bonus-point victory is the only outcome that will ensure the men from Scotland’s capital move above third-placed Sarries and finish in the top four. A standard four-point victory would be enough if they do not allow their opponents to collect a losing bonus point. A bonus-point defeat for Edinburgh would give them a slim hope of moving above fourth-placed Exeter, although that unlikely scenario would be reliant on the Chiefs losing and failing to collect a bonus point at home to Castres.
How are Glasgow getting on in the Challenge Cup?
Franco Smith’s in-form side sit fifth in Pool A as one of five teams to have won all three of their matches. They started with a narrow 22-19 win away to Bath in December and then enjoyed bonus-point victories at home and away to Perpignan. They are already assured of progress to the last 16.
What is at stake in Glasgow final group game?
As with the Champions Cup, the four top teams in each pool are guaranteed a home match in the round of 16 and in the quarter-final if they get there, so Glasgow – in a similar position to Edinburgh – could do with a handsome victory at home to Bath on Friday. Ultimately, the Warriors have to find a way to pick up one more point than at least one of the four sides currently above them in the section, although this will be a tall order given that each of the top four face teams that have lost all of their matches so far.
