Ulster vs Edinburgh: Scots’ Heineken Cup dream could continue

The magnitude of this match shouldn’t be underestimated for either side, as Ulster welcome Edinburgh to Lansdowne Road as 2/5 favourites to progress to the Heineken Cup final.

Edinburgh shocked everyone by beating Toulouse to advance to this stage of the competition, and will win many friends at 2/1 to continue their fairytale run here.

It is 18/1 about the tie, which is always a far-fetched outcome in rugby union, but even more so in a game involving two teams with immeasurable heart and desire, who won’t do anything other than play to win.

The Scottish outfit could have the edge though, meeting an Ulster side who will sorely miss John Afoa in the front row, and the form of Scottish international Ross Ford stands Edinburgh in good stead to advance to the Heineken Cup final.

In what looks sure to be a close game, Edinburgh certainly appeal at 10/11 to win with a six point head start.

They can alternatively be backed at a shorter 4/6 to win starting with a nine point advantage, and that will be lapped up by more cautious punters.

Edinburgh will hope to get off to a blistering start as they did in their famous Toulouse triumph, and are attractive 3/1 chances to be leading at both half-time and full-time in Northern Ireland.

Greig Laidlaw recorded the majority of the Scottish outfits’ points that day, with a man-of-the-match award accompanying the 14 points he scored for his side, and he will hope to replicate that display to fire his side to glory once again.

Laidlaw’s second minute try set them on their way in their quarter-final outing, and Edinburgh look very good things at 4/5 to lead at half-time when given a four point head start.

The Scots eventually triumphed by just two points in their last Heineken Cup outing though, and so the 5/2 about them winning by 1-12 points here is a very tempting price.