DAVE DENTON describes himself as a "young veteran", which probably means he is old enough to have accumulated some experiences and young enough to put them to good use.

In that regard, Edinburgh supporters can feel reassured by the comparisons the No.8 drew yesterday between their club's Heineken Cup run in season 2011-12 - when their quarter-final win against Toulouse meant they became the first Scottish side ever to reach the last four of the competition - and the scenario facing them ahead of tonight's Challenge Cup clash with Bordeaux-Begles at BT Murrayfield.

A victory over the French side would propel the capital club into the tournament's knockout stages as outright winners of Pool 4. Even a losing bonus might send them through as one of the three best-placed runners-up. Yet while the Challenge Cup is unquestionably a tier below the level of Edinburgh's previous success, Denton stressed that it means just as much to the players of today.

"This is the be all and end all for us," said Denton. "We've got to get that win; there's no two ways about that. It is Test match rugby two weeks early, which is exciting. I'm really looking forward to it.

"Among the team I am feeling something very similar [to 2011-12]. We will see how many come to the game, but there is a very similar feel to it. Whether the Champions or the Challenge Cup, it is hugely important for us.

"I think it has been good for us to be in the Challenge Cup this year to get some good performances in and we have done that. We have played some really good rugby.

"So everyone is so excited about this game. The potential of being involved in knockout rugby again, and possibly at Murrayfield, it really does bring back memories of the Toulouse game. It is very fond memory for a large number of players in the squad."

Edinburgh set a blistering pace through the early rounds of the Champions Cup, beating tonight's opponents in Bordeaux on the tournament's opening weekend and then winning their next three games. They stumbled last weekend when they lost narrowly away to Lyon, going down 21-19 after they conceded a late dropped goal, but they are still in prime position for a quarter-final slot.

Edinburgh went into freefall after their previous European run, which was seen as the last hurrah of a team that had grown and matured together. The profile of the side now is very different to the team of three seasons ago, but Denton dismissed a suggestion that they lack their predecessors' hard-nosed experience.

"There is a bit of a balance," he explained. "There are some similarities between the sides when you look at the likes of Ross Ford and Al Dickinson, the most experienced players in our team,. There are also a number of guys like myself and Matt Scott who came through at that time and we now have 20/25 caps.

"There's a lot more experience in the squad than I think people realise. There are obviously young players coming through as well, and they have the ability and talent to push the squad for a win this weekend."

The emerging talent at Edinburgh was recognised by Scotland coach Vern Cotter earlier this week when he included four uncapped players from the club in his initial Six Nations training squad, a development that Denton believes has had an energising effect on the dressing room as a whole.

"It's awesome," said the 24-year-old forward. "It was an odd feeling during the autumn Tests when there were only three or four Edinburgh boys in the squad and it was Glasgow who dominated.

"So it's great for us to have a few of the young boys coming through and some of the old guys getting back into the team.

We have been playing some good rugby and it's great to see that it's been recognised."

Denton is the only No.8 in Cotter's squad, which would suggest he is a virtual certainty to start against France in Paris in two weeks' time. After a lengthy injury absence, he feels he is coming into form at just the right time.

"I now feel I'm right on the edge of getting back to where I should be," he said. "I've been playing good rugby the past few weeks and I'm pretty happy with my personal performances, but you've always got to push for more.

"I want to be just that bit better, especially going into the six Nations. It's not good enough just to be another number. I want to go out there and make a difference and hopefully that can start this weekend."