Lawrie: Edinburgh set-piece must be ‘spot-on’
Michael Bradley’s men have been held scoreless in two games in Pool 1 and with just 12 points registered they are in danger of finishing with a lower points total (40) than Italian side L’Aquila managed in 2000/01.
Nine months have passed since the Scots’ Heineken Cup semi-final defeat by Ulster but their lean spell is lasting nigh on infinity for Edinburgh supporters.
“The nucleus of that squad is still here and, as a group, there’s no lack of confidence. It will be a huge challenge on Sunday but we are eager to get back on track,” said Lawrie.
In November, Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley had a serious heart to heart with his squad after their first two European maulings. Lawrie recalled: “We managed to grind out some good results against Ospreys and Connacht so we know what we are capable of. We had been building towards fixing it but came out at the wrong end of a couple of matches with Glasgow.”
With Ross Ford out with a shoulder injury, Bradley has taken a gamble at placing Lawrie in at hooker against a Munster side that prides itself on lineout steals. Munster plucked four of Ford’s throws in their 33-0 win at Thomond Park and traumatised Schalk Brits when Saracens came to Limerick. “As a forward, and a hooker, it starts with the set-piece and making sure we are looking after the ball.”
He added: “It is more about how we must apply pressure to the opposition and give them no room to breathe.”
Despite the issues at stake Lawrie scoffs at talk of Munster bonus points. “We didn’t give the supporters a lot to get their teeth into against Leinster (in the Rabo),” he admitted. “Even though we’re in a 70,000-seater stadium, our supporters have been great and getting behind us and creating an atmosphere. It’s important that we start well. Getting four tries? We welcome the challenge but I’m sure they are focused on getting the win first. That will be tough enough.”
Meanwhile, Scotland centre Nick De Luca could miss all of the RBS 6 Nations after his club Edinburgh confirmed he would be out for two months following surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.
He sustained the injury while training with his club last month.
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