European Rugby Challenge Cup Final: Edinburgh V Gloucester

Edinburghwill face Gloucester in the Challenge Cupfinal at Twickenham Stoop on Friday, the 1^st May. Twenty teamsfrom seven European countries qualified for the 2014-15 Challenge Cup, andplaying in the final is a massive achievement for the Scots.

TheMurrayfield side had a slow start at the beginning of the year, but have since putsome hard work and could now become the first Scottish team to lift Europeansilverware.They earned the place in the Challenge Cup final by winning 45-16 againstNewport Gwent Dragons; their prop Alasdair Dickinson is convinced that histeam’s improved form puts them in a good place going into the game against theCherry and Whites.  The 31 year-old re-joinedEdinburgh Rugby two season ago,after leaving for Gloucester in 2007, where he played for five years.

TheScottish side’s recent victory also includes a 37-0 whitewash of Zebre inthe Guinness Pro12, previously known as the Celtic League, which involves twelve sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales; the win againstthe Italian strugglers from Parma boosts the Scots’ chances of securing sixthplace in the Pro12.

TheScots opponents, the Cherry and Whites,are the favourites for the title; the 2005/6 winners displayed a dramatic performancelast Saturday to defeat Newcastle Falcons 42-40 at Kingsholm, and qualify forthe Challenge Cup final; Gloucester played some extraordinary rugby on thenight, as they came back and won against Falcons at the last minute of thematch, after losing 13-27 at the break.

TheCherry and Whites have recently been fined£5,000 and received a suspended two-point deduction for playing MarianoGalarza during the Aviva Premiership match against the Sale Sharks on the 29^thMarch, while he did not have effective registration with Gloucester Rugby. The 28 year- old Argentine was subsequently correctly registered for the EuropeanChallenge Cup semi-final game, which Gloucester played against Exeter Chiefs.

On Saturday, the 2^nd May, TwickenhamStoop also hosts the European RugbyChampions Cup Final between two French rugby giants, Clermont Auvergne andToulon.