Solomons aims to build Fortress Murrayfield

All of which is true, but the reality is that with Glasgow Warriors - their closest neighbours and so, in the eyes of supporters, most relevant comparator - almost certain to remain the competition's only unbeaten team this weekend, the prospect of a third defeat in four matches is, at best, unpalatable.

It is not only respective form that suggests Edinburgh are the less likely of the Scots to win this evening, however, since Glasgow head to Italy to meet the Italian side Zebre, who can hardly be expected to claim only their second victory just a week after finally achieving their first

In many ways, all of that only reflects respective evolutionary stages, since Glasgow have been building on consistent principles for several seasons while Edinburgh are just seeking to re-establish some.

Paramount among those is making their home a place that invokes fear in visitors and pride in supporters in equal measure, and to that end a marker was put down a fortnight ago when, sandwiched by two uninspiring road trips, they claimed only their third win in nine attempts against the Newport Gwent Dragons.

In fairness, there have been signs all year that Murrayfield is becoming harder to visit, particularly since Steve Scott's spell as caretaker coach, Edinburgh having lost only once there since February.

Some management consistency was maintained when Scott remained as part of the new coaching team, but as Solomons, who arrived just a fortnight before the season began, reflected on tonight's match in the context of the season so far, he acknowledged his side simply have to start somewhere.

"Our emphasis is on getting our performance right, but clearly for our supporters we would like to do well at home and it is really important we play well," said Solomons.

All the more so since the Heineken Cup is now looming and, while most in European rugby are pondering whether the competition itself has a future, Solomons is simply looking forward to having some of his leading players back in time. Club captain Greig Laidlaw is poised to return next week, Matt Scott is likely to be back soon after and new signing Cornell du Preez is settling in.

It also seems very much Solomons' way to see things in the best light possible so, rather than lament the absences of Laidlaw and Scott, he expresses pleasure at the potential long-term benefits gained from the emergency measures employed. "Nine and 12 are key positions and we are missing key players with inter­national experience, but we have just been fortunate that we have had Sam [Hidalgo-Clyne] and Sean [Kennedy], two good scrum-halves to replace Greig. Nick [De Luca] has gone into 12, Dougie [Fyfe] has done a great job at 13 and we have Ben [Atiga] back, so that has been a real positive for us.

"The fact that Sean and Sam have had a run now is great for us and Scottish rugby," he said.

On the face of it, with the Scarlets being led by Rhys Priestland, Wales' first-choice playmaker, a callow half-back combination looks an area of vulnerability, and Hidalgo-Clyne admitted to surprise at the opportunity he has been given as he makes his first start in tandem with Harry Leonard.

"My goal was to play this year," said the 20-year-old scrum-half. I didn't expect to start with Greig in, but with his injury I have been working hard

and got credit for that so it has been a good start."

Solomons admits he has been at least partly forced into giving the youngsters their chances, but he noted that they are surrounded by highly experienced players and sees no reason why they should not do well. "If you are good enough you should be able to cut it," he said. "Harry played last season and played a few games this season so there is no reason why the half-backs should not be comfortable."