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Jacobsen sets sights on Wasps

Wednesday 03rd December 2008

Allan Jacobsen: Confident

Scotland and Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen is raring to inflict further misery on Wasps when they visit Murrayfield in Round Three of the Heineken Cup on Friday.

Edinburgh set themselves on the right path to victory with a 32-16 win over the Ospreys last Friday, and will not forget their shock 32-31 win over the same opposition four years ago when looking for motivation.

While Edinburgh's season is recovering after a slow start, the Wasps are struggling for form all over the place, and sit uncomfortably close to the relegation zone of the Guinness Premiership.

Both have lost a game already in the tournament - both losing to Leinster - and another defeat would surely spell the end of the Heineken Cup road for this season.

"If Wasps lose they are out. If we lose we are out," said Jacobsen to the Scotsman.

"It will be like a cup final for both of us and I don't think previous form will really count."

Perhaps not, but Edinburgh's last Heineken Cup outing was a momentous occasion: a first-ever win in France at Castres. It made the disappointing defeat at home to Leinster the week before far more palatable, pushed Edinburgh up two spots in the Heineken Cup rankings, and gives Jacobsen hope that Edinburgh can turn it round after all.

"It was disappointing to lose the first match of this European campaign and I would have said in the past that would have been it so far as our qualification chances are concerned," said Jacobsen.

"But to win a Heineken Cup tie in France the week after was both exhilarating and a relief.

"There was relief from the fact that we are still in there battling while our backs in particular played some really good rugby at Castres.

"Now we have got a bit of a roll on with the Ospreys victory ensuring we go in against Wasps on the back of three straight wins."

Edinburgh also beat Wasps in a pre-season hit-out, and there are nine survivors from the dramatic 32-31 win of 2005.

"One of the things that was pleasing that day was that Wasps were reigning champions and we were given very little chance until Simon Webster went over in the closing minutes for the clinching try," said Jacobsen.

"For us to beat Wasps and really propel ourselves forward into a position where we do well in Europe and also get into the league title mix our set-piece has to be strong. We have to try to attack them in that area while ensuring our defence is spot on.

"Also our guys in the main positions, the decision-makers, have got to make the right calls. If you do these things in any game, no matter the opposition, you are in with a shout."