SCOTLAND back-row Blair Cowan is relishing a chance to go toe-to-toe with international colleague Hamish Watson this weekend as London Irish get set to meet Edinburgh Rugby in the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Cowan is one of a number of Scots on London Irish's books - along with Geoff Cross, Kieran Low and Scott Steele - who will be doing their utmost to halt Edinburgh's run in the competition on Sunday.

The home side go into the last eight tie on a high at the Madejski Stadium in Reading having edged out Newcastle Falcons 22-21 in the Aviva Premiership last weekend.

Edinburgh too, of course, head into the match on the back of an impressive victory in Wales, after beating Scarlets on their own turf in the PRO12.

As a result it looks like the tie could be a pretty tight affair in which the breakdown area will be key - step forward Mr Cowan and Mr Watson.

Since Vern Cotter took charge of Scotland last summer 28-year-old Cowan has become the first choice number seven for the national team.

He now has 11 caps to his name while Watson, 23, came off the bench to win his first full cap against Italy in the Six Nations.

The duo, who both like to do the unglamorous work around the breakdown area, are set to be in direct competition in this match and it is something New Zealand-born Cowan is looking forward to.

"I was impressed by Hamish over the time we spend with Scotland during the Six Nations. He is a really hard worker and a fantastic athlete which means he always gets to the breakdown quickly and makes a nuisance of himself," Cowan stated.

"Added to that he is a very physical character so he can be hard to get past and like me he seems to enjoy a lot of tackling.

"For a young guy he also has quite a bit of confidence and he is always keen to learn. He has been one of Edinburgh's better players this season, so we know we will have to watch him very carefully."

Cowan is also looking forward to seeing the battle between scrum-halves Scott Steele and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

Now both 21, they used to play for Merchiston Castle School, Scotland Under-18 and Scotland Under-20 together and are both feisty little characters with no shortage of skill.

Cowan said: "Sam has done well for Edinburgh this term and when he was in Scotland camp he also showed up well, but I believe that Scott is underrated by a lot of people.

"For a 21-year-old kid he has been one of London Irish's best players this season and he seems to just get more and more composed. As they are old pals I am sure the two of them will share a beer after the match, but during the encounter I wouldn't expect either of them to back away from the challenge."

In the Pool stages of Europe's secondary competition London Irish won five of their six matches to progress while Edinburgh did the same.

After 18 league matches in the Aviva Premiership Irish sit 10th in the table with Edinburgh seventh in the PRO12.

Like Edinburgh, Irish have been inconsistent at times and Cowan said: "I have watched quite a few Edinburgh matches on the television this season while I have obviously got to know a few of the guys pretty well when I have been away with Scotland.

"On their day they can be a very dangerous side and this week we have been doing a lot of research on them.

"As for ourselves, we have been disappointed with some of our performances, but when we get it right we know we can compete with anyone and we really want to make our mark in this European competition.

"To be only two matches away from a big final is something pretty special and we have to try our best to make home advantage count on Sunday.

"The link between myself and others in my team and some of the Edinburgh guys has obviously added a bit of extra spice to things, but we have to go out there and really just focus on our own game."