Edinburgh head coach Stevie Scott has urged his team not to rest on their laurels after their stunning success over RaboDirect PRO12 high-flyers Ulster. The Scottish side travel to Italy this week to take on bottom club Zebre, fresh from a 14-8 win over long-time leaders Ulster. For the Scots, hooker Ross Ford is set to make his 100th appearance, one more than Scott himself managed in his time with the club. Scott said: “The players and management were delighted to get a great win over a high-flying Ulster side last weekend, but we haven’t dwelt on it. “We reviewed the game as normal and got back to work. What we’ve focused on is the importance of following up that performance and result. “Training has once again been, focused, vocal and aggressive, and we arrived in Italy to be fresh and free of travel fatigue for the final training session. “We set the bar for an Edinburgh Rugby performance last week and we are here to improve on that showing and continue our efforts to end this season on a high. “Ross [Ford] has been an exceptional servant to Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby, keeping himself in immense mental and physical condition throughout a very distinguished career to date. “He’s a fantastic character and role model to young players and shows the relentless dedication you would expect from someone who has won 69 caps, captained his country and toured with the British Lions. “It’s great to have someone of his calibre reach such a milestone at the club.” Scott has made four changes to his team with Ford one of the players to return to the team. In the backline internationals Greig Laidlaw, Matt Scott and Tim Visser are all back in the starting line-up. Zebre have also made a number of changes from the team which lost to the Scarlets last time out. Marco Bortolami returns to the side as does Italy fly-half Luciano Orquera, while Giovanbattista Venditti moves from inside centre to outside. And despite being a winger by trade, he insists he is enjoying the experiment of playing in midfield. He said: “When I was coming through as a youngster I played at outside centre, against the Scarlets I played in the new role of inside centre and I’m grateful to the coaching team for having faith in me. “It’s an experiment that I’d be happy to try again, the role isn’t important, what counts is playing well for the team. “The next game [for Zebre] against Edinburgh is at Parma, which is like playing at the Olimpico for the national team, when there are that many people there we can do more and want to perform for the fans who come and support us.” At Stadio XXV Aprile , 7.00pm local time (6pm UK & Ireland). Live on Sportitalia and BBC ALBA Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU, 1st competition game) Assistant Referees: Stefano Traversi, Filippo Bertelli (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Roberto Carra (FIR) TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
