HAVING ended a dismal run of performances with last week’s win against Treviso, Edinburgh are eager to continue their progress when they begin their European Challenge Cup campaign in Romania on Saturday. The squad and new acting head coach Duncan Hodge are aware that one decent result is no more than a start, but they are confident, nevertheless, that it is something they can build on when they take on Timisoara Saracens.

The trip to eastern Europe represents a journey into the unknown for the bulk of the squad, even though they have done their best to acquaint themselves with their opponents through video analysis. But Michael Allen, who has played on the wing as well as in his preferred position of outside centre this season, has some prior experience of Romania and is looking forward to returning for his team’s opening Pool Five match.

“I was on an Emerging Ireland tour a couple of years ago to Bucharest, so I kind of know what it's all about,” the 25-year-old back from Belfast said. “Bucharest is actually quite a nice city. I've googled the place we’re going and there seems a few points of interest. Could be a nice wee place to see. Something different.”

Last Friday’s 45-10 PRO12 victory over Treviso was certainly something different compared to the hesitant performances that characterised Alan Solomons’ final few weeks in charge of the team. Even so, the squad were always confident that they would shake off their indifferent form in the end. Now they have done so, according to Allen, they know what it takes to continue the improvement in the coming weeks.

“People have been asking me what the story is and I've said wait until we click and something will go well. The defence on Friday night was the best it has been this season. We made fewer mistakes, gave away fewer penalties than we have been doing. All those things came into line, we clicked and got a good result.

"In the PRO12 we've not had the start we wanted, though we're righting some wrongs now. Everything we’re doing is getting better, unlike the start of the season when it wasn't very good at all. Everyone in the squad knows that. This week is a chance for some of the lads who haven't played that much rugby to get a run.”

Hodge will announce his team tomorrow, revealing how many of those who have not played much so far will get their chance this week. Allen hopes that, despite having scored three tries already this season during his outings on the wing, he will be restored to his favoured No 13 jersey.

“I see myself as a 13,” he explained. “I think I can do a job on the wing, I have some attributes of a winger, but I don't think I'm best suited for there. Saying that, I have done well there, got on the end of some kicks and got some good scores.

“I said to Hodgey, as I said to Solly before, that I'll play wherever I'm put. I've played a few positions in the back line and got experience in most of them so I can fill in when needs be. But I'd rather be at 13 and establish myself as a one-position player rather than be a jack of all trades.”

The Challenge Cup gets under way in London tonight when the other two teams in Edinburgh’s pool, Harlequins and Stade Francais, meet at the Twickenham Stoop. The competition culminates almost exactly seven months from now with the final at BT Murrayfield on Friday 12 May - the day before the Champions Cup final at the same venue.