Denton drawing on European memories for Edinburgh

Alan Solomons' men have picked up their form in recent weeks, recording impressive victories in the GUINNESS PRO12 over local rivals Glasgow Warriors and in tough conditions away at Connacht.

And despite a set-back in Europe last weekend, when Edinburgh narrowly lost out 21-19 at Lyon, Denton's side are in pole position to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition.

A win over Bordeaux-Begles on Friday evening would guarantee top spot in their pool, and with memories of 2012's European quarter-final victory against Toulouse still fresh in the memory, the powerful No.8 admits he is thrilled about the prospect of bringing knockout rugby back to BT Murrayfield.

"It has been good for us to be in Europe this year and get some good performances in," Denton told The Scotsman. "We have played some really good rugby. I am feeling something very similar [to the mood in 2012] in the team at the moment.

"That match against Toulouse was right up there in terms of my rugby experiences. My first cap will be something I never forget, and the 1872 Cup win in the GUINNESS PRO12 a few weeks ago as well.

"But the Toulouse game was life changing. It was something we had never done and nobody expected it from us. That's the best time to get results like that.

"And it is kind of the position we are in now. No one is expecting anything from us this season. They've not thought we are the calibre of team that we know we are, and it is nice to prove all these people wrong.

"Everyone is so excited about this game. The potential of being involved in knockout rugby again - and possibly at Murrayfield - really does bring back memories of the Toulouse game. It is a very fond memory for many players in the squad."

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