Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons admitted he felt compelled to name an unchanged squad following a first RaboDirect PRO12 away win of the season for the Scottish outfit last time out.

Solomons’ side host Cardiff Blues this weekend and on the back of victory last Thursday away to the Dragons, Edinburgh – currently in seventh place – have designs on a top-half finish.

The Scotsmen have also won their last two matches against Welsh regions.

Cardiff Blues, meanwhile, beat Ulster 28-23 in round 18 to end a five-game losing run in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Edinburgh's only victory over Cardiff Blues in their last seven meetings in the PRO12 was 21-19 at the Arms Park in September 2012.

And Solomons is only too aware of the threat posed by the Blues.

"There is a really good spirit building and a good sense of togetherness, and it's been positive for the squad to see that progress is being made,” he said.

"Under tough conditions they came out with a win against Dragons and I think that merited the team remaining intact for the next match.

"This is another very important game for us. If we want to finish in the top half of the table then this is a game we have to win.

"Cardiff are a good side, who fully deserved their win against Ulster, so we know we are going to have a tough game on Friday night.

"They have some very good players in key positions who will present a big physical challenge, and their kicker has amongst the highest percentages in the PRO12, so our discipline has got to be good.”
For the Blues, prop Gethin Jenkins will bring up a century of games in the RaboDirect PRO12.

The coaching team of Paul John and Dale McIntosh also retain exactly the same starting line-up that defeated Ulster in the last game at the Arms Park last month.

However, Wales lock Bradley Davies makes his long-awaited comeback with a place on the bench after five months out injured and there is also a return for Dafydd Hewitt among the replacements.

"Edinburgh had a good win at Dragons last time out, have international players back and play a good brand of rugby,” said John.

"It's a difficult game for us in new surroundings, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves.

"We will look at the threat they pose, but first and foremost we have to make sure we maintain our performance and produce again.

"The boys have trained well these last two weeks and have worked hard. We now need to get that consistency in these last four games of the season.

“It's a challenge, but one we are all looking forward to as we look to believe in ourselves and express ourselves.”

At Meggetland, 7.45pm.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 42nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Peter Allan, Graeme Wells (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU)