Edinburgh registered a memorable 27-24 win over Racing Metro in a thrilling Heineken Cup Pool Two clash in Paris on Friday.
Replacement Phil Godman was the hero for Edinburgh as his last-minute drop goal saw the visitors sneak to victory.
After their thrilling 48-47 encounter in November, Racing Metro and Edinburgh again produced a hugely entertaining game of rugby at the Stade Yves du Masion near Paris.
A win for Edinburgh would almost certainly guarantee their place in the last eight of the Heineken Cup, whereas Racing were playing for pride in front of their home crowd.
Scotland international Ross Rennie burst through weak midfield defending to crash over for the opening try. Greig Laidlaw added the extras.
Racing immediately hit back after sustained pressure resulted in Springbok centre Francois Steyn going over. Juan Martin Hernandez' conversion levelled the scores at 7 apiece.
In an end-to-end opening half an hour, Netani Talei's converted try gave Edinburgh the lead once more.
Racing began the second half much like the first but on this occasion points were scored for their endeavour. Juan Imhoff's converted try levelled the scores for the second time after only 2 minutes play.
A fantastic individual try by David Denton again put Edinburgh in front but Antoine Batut's close-range try converted by scrum-half Sebastien Descons took the score to 21-21 with 20 minutes remaining.
In an emotionally charged final 10 minutes, Racing replacement full-back Jonathan Wisniewski' and Laidlaw exchanged penalties to level the scores before Wisniewski missed a relatively easy chance that would have given the French side the all-important lead.
With seconds remaining in the game, the impressive Tim Visser broke down the blind to provide Edinburgh a chance of snatching a late victory.
With the last play of the game replacement fly-half Godman showed incredible strength of character to kick the winning drop-goal.
Referee Dave Pearson blew the final whistle leaving Edinburgh on top and Racing still without a win in Pool 2.
The scorers:
For Racing Metro:
Tries: Steyn, Imhoff, Battut
Con: Hernandez 2, Descons
Pen: Wisniewski
For Edinburgh:
Tries: Rennie, Talei, Denton
Cons: Laidlaw 3
Pen: Laidlaw
drop-goal: Godman
Racing Metro 15 Juan Imhoff, 14 Virimi Vakatawa, 13 Frans Steyn, 12 Fabrice Estebanez, 11 Julien Saubade, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Sebastien Descons, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Antoine Batut, 6 John Leo'o, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Gregory Arganese, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Benjamin Sa, 19 Bernard Le Roux, 20 Mathieu Loree, 21 Jonathan Wisniewski, 22 Remi Vaquiin, 23 Henry Chavancy.
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Netani Talei 7 Ross Rennie 6 David Denton 5 Sean Cox 4 Grant Gilchrist 3 Geoff Cross 2 Ross Ford 1 Allan Jacobsen
Replacements:16 Alun Walker, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jack Gilding, 19 Esteban Lozada, 20 Roddy Grant, 21 Phil Godman, 22 Tom Brown, 23 Jim Thompson.
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Comments
NHsaints says...
I have to say I'm somewhat surprised by this result considering the class metro have in their side, good on edinburgh, I've been following them since their first game against the saints last year and they're really entertaining to watch, like the scarlets.
Posted 09:51 14th January 2012
scot_rsa says...
Brilliant, well done Edinburgh. Like the way Bradley has these guys playing, they'll score tries and kick all their points. From the radio it seemed like Jacobsen had another immense game in the loose too. Another big shot in the arm for Scottish rugby.
Posted 08:09 14th January 2012
suilven says...
Why has Phil Godman never managed to do anything like that for Scotland, ever? (Never shown any "incredible strength of character", or even ability before!)
Also, Racing did get a win, away, against London Irish last round...
Posted 01:42 14th January 2012
carpelone says...
For some reason, I felt it. Well done, lads.
Posted 00:31 14th January 2012
J_HDK says...
Will scotland get a team through to the Qfs?
Posted 23:50 13th January 2012
papachinzo says...
Metro clearly not interested in the Heineken Cup. With a team such as their's, you would expect them to make the Final 8... Very displeasing to watch.
Posted 22:59 13th January 2012