THEY say it takes one to know one.
Therefore, when Shaun Edwards talks about Edinburgh Rugby being poised to embark on a journey, starting this weekend, that will lead to them becoming European pacesetters, he speaks from the lofty vantage point of someone who, in 2004 and 2007, coach
ed tomorrow's Murrayfield visitors, London Wasps, to the continent's supreme Heineken Cup title.
"There's no doubt about Edinburgh soon entering into that stratosphere of becoming a really big European side," says the man whose outstanding service to the oval ball game – both as league player and union coach – has been reflected in the award of an OBE.
Nor is this mere flattery ahead of tomorrow's Murrayfield pre-season clash between the teams.
"As recently as last season, Leinster lost at Edinburgh in Europe and Toulouse nearly came a cropper because, especially at home, they are developing as a formidable force," says Edwards, backing his prediction with hard facts.
Soon it will be Wasps' turn to face down Edinburgh on European duty which perhaps explains why Edwards ensures that his squad travel with as many leading lights as injuries permit. Rather than look too far ahead, though, to a sectional pool that also includes Leinster and Castres, he prefers to dwell in the present.
"We're looking at the moment to give game time to (England caps] Tim Payne, Simon Shaw, James Haskell, Joe Worsley, Tom Palmer and Josh Lewsey amongst others," says Edwards in making it clear that they will also be casting an eye to the future at Scottish HQ.
"As well as fielding as many internationalists as possible, we'll be giving debuts to a couple of new recruits in Lachlan Mitchell and Hugo Ellis."
Mitchell, a centre, arrived over the summer from the crack New South Wales Waratahs Academy while Ellis skippered England from No.8 to a grand slam at under-20 level last season.
Making it clear he feels all these stars will all be needed straight away, Edwards says: "We need this outing to blow away the cobwebs with it being a first game for most of our side in what will be a particularly important season.
"This is the start of a trail that will ultimately lead to a British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa but, before anybody gets near to that, they will have to do well for their clubs and then international sides." The message is that journey starts tomorrow.
While Wasps need to "blow away cobwebs" Edinburgh had a run-out in midweek against Watsonians, winning 57-0 against the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership runners-up.
On the subject of Premierships, is it an added responsibility of Wasps to demonstrate why they emerged as English club kingpins in 2007-08?
Edwards insists that type of pressure is something they have learned to live with.
"Every season sees us expected to land some kind of silverware," he says of a club whose director of rugby, Ian McGeechan, pictured left, helped steer Scotland to the 1990 Grand Slam and last Five Nations title in 1999.
So, if Edinburgh are ready to examine Wasps credentials there is perhaps a welcome element in that the meeting takes place not only ahead of more impending Euro showdowns between the pair but also the arrival to the Capital cause of someone well known to cross-code legend Edwards, who helped steer Wales to a Grand Slam last term.
Graham Steadman, who forged a formidable playing career at Castleford before going on to earn Great Britain rugby league honours alongside Edwards will shortly become Edinburgh's defence coach as part of a link-up with the Scotland side, where he will also be in charge of developing the players' defensive techniques. So, how much of a relief to Wasps might it be that Steadman has not yet taken up his position?
Edwards couples his remarks with reference to what Steadman might be expected to bring, saying: "I remember when Graham gave a particularly outstanding performance as Great Britain notched their biggest-ever victory over Australia in Melbourne in 1997.
"I've played with him and against him and his dedication was always a credit to him.
"After coaching in rugby league, he went to Munster and did well there before having a hand in a couple of Irish triple crowns.
"There's no doubt he is one of the leading defensive coaches around, as well as coming from the background of being an outstanding player."
The full article contains 750 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
