Head coach Sean Everitt is “excited” for the delayed start to Edinburgh’s home season but has warned that a Benetton side full of international quality will provide a stiff test in Friday’s United Rugby Championship contest.
Edinburgh’s opening game was postponed amid stormy weather and, having lost narrowly in Munster last time out, Everitt told his club website: “It had already felt like a long time since we’d been back with our fans and now even more so – so we can’t wait be playing in front of them again.
“We’re excited to be back at home after a false start with the postponed Ulster game.”
Benetton lost their opening away game to Connacht but already have a Scottish scalp this season, having won at home to Glasgow Warriors.
“Benetton can’t be underestimated with the squad they have,” Everitt said. “They’ve got plenty of Italian internationals playing for them and they’ve got overseas internationals as well, so they’re a really good team.”
Everitt pointed to new attack coach Pete Wilkins as a key factor in their newfound potency, noting their impressive wins over Glasgow and the Lions.
“Benetton have done well,” he said. “They’ve changed the way they play.
“They’ve had to grow and they certainly look a better outfit than what they showed last year. They’re a dangerous team.”
However, Everitt thinks Edinburgh are “headed in the right direction” and pointed out that the defeat by Munster came amid a flurry of four yellow cards.
“The yellow cards in the context of the game and in rugby were correct,” he added. “So we have to take that on the chin. I’m just proud of the way the guys fought with numbers down.”