FOR all coaches this weekend is a delicate balancing act: how many of the players returning from national squad in the RBS Six Nations Championship need a rest, how many can be risked.
In Edinburgh's case, the decisions have run into extra complications with both tomorrow's match and the one next weekend vital to their prospects in different competitions.
Alan Solomons, the head coach, admitted he had taken a conservative view this week. Alasdair Dickinson and Ross Ford had played all through the Scotland campaign in highly attritional positions and need a rest. Dougie Fife had stitches in a nose wound and Mat Scott took a knock on his already dodgy shoulder - no point in risking them either.
"It is better to err on the side of caution, it in their best interests that they should have that week's break," he said."Then we have that absolutely massive programme ahead of us. They will come back refreshed and ready to give their all for Edinburgh, they are mustard keen. It is just the way it is, there is not much we can do about it,"
Currently, Edinburgh are one of three teams hunting sixth spot in the Guinness PRO12 to earn and with it European Champions Cup rugby next season. Connacht currently lead the trio but have fixtures against the league's top teams to come and are likely to drop points. The Scarlets have, on paper, the easiest run-in, making it imperative for Edinburgh edge in front with a win tomorrow if they are to stay in the chase.
To add to the complications, Edinburgh travel to the Madejski Stadium next week to face London Irish in their European Challenge Cup quarter final, with the winner getting a home draw in the semi-final and, therefore, every chance of making it to the final.
"We are going to miss these guys, they are coming back from Test rugby and are experienced Test players," Solomons said, though he is going to be in a position to field half a dozen from the Scotland squad who were less heavily involved in the Six Nations.
"The guys have to rise to the challenge, they have to take the opportunity. It is a huge game but there is a long way to go in this season still. The Scarlets are a very good side, unbeaten at home in the league this season. Their players will be coming off a massive high from the Welsh performance in the Six Nations and I think they will pick all their players for this game. That is just the way it is, we can't do anything about that.
"I really rank them, they can compete with any top side. I watched them beat Ulster, both missing players, but they got a bonus point in that game and also beat Leinster at home - it was a pretty good Leinster side outfit that day. They will be at absolute full strength and unfortunately we won't but that is the challenge. I think the players are looking forward to it."
Solomons agrees that if Edinburgh cannot win, they will be left relying on other teams to do them favours if they are to have a chance of overtaking the Scarlets. "They would be in pole position, there is no doubt about that. They have a favourable run-in but rugby is a funny game, strange things happen. It is a tough game there, we know that," he added.
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