Edinburgh came from behind to clinch a thrilling 48-47 Heineken Cup win over Racing-Metro at Murrayfield.
It was the Scottish outfit's second straight success in the competition in what was an unbelievable 80 minutes of European rugby.
Victory sees them move above Cardiff Blues to become Pool leaders due to the try bonus-point they picked up in this eleven-score encounter.
Tim Visser set the tone for what was to come with a try inside the first minute, which Greig Laidlaw made into a seven-pointer, before Jonathan Wisniewski and Laidlaw exchanged penalties.
However, the in-form Edinburgh number nine then got over for a try in successive weeks as the clash became an end-to-end affair at Murrayfield.
Julien Saubade was the next to join the party for his side's second try of the night before Juan Imhoff went over with Juan Martin Hernandez and Wisniewski adding the respective extras.
The latter then picked up a try as the Paris outfit went in front and proceeded to add their fourth score thanks to Henry Chavancy. Edinburgh were not done in the first period though as Laidlaw added another three points before Irish official John Lacey's whistle.
Racing-Metro then quickly raced into a 44-20 lead after the break thanks to outside centre Chavancy's second try and five points from the tee of Wisniewski. But back came Edinburgh, who refused to go quietly, as Netani Talei finished off well to start them on their comeback.
Wisniewski thought he was extinguishing the home fire with a further three points but Tom Brown went over in the corner for yet another score, Edinburgh were enjoying the momentum, particularly when replacement prop Jone Qovu was sin-binned.
Roddy Grant crossed next to bring them back to a 41-47 scoreline and when deadly wing Visser went in and Laidlaw did the rest from the tee, the remarkable win was accomplished.
The scorers:
For Edinburgh:
Tries: Visser 2, Laidlaw, Talei, Brown, Grant
Cons: Laidlaw 6
Pens: Laidlaw 2
For Racing-Metro:
Tries: Saubade, Imhoff, Wisniewski, Chavancy 2
Cons: Wisniewski 4, Hernandez
Pens: Wisniewski 4
Edinburgh: 15 Jim Thompson, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Harry Leonard, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Stuart McInally, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Netani Talei, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Esteban Lozada, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Steve Lawrie, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Lewis Niven, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Ross Rennie, 21 Mike Blair, 22 James King, 23 Tom Brown.
Racing-Metro: 15 Jonathan Wisniewski, 14 Julien Saubade, 13 Henry Chavancy, 12 Guillaume Bousses, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Mathieu Loree, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 John Leo'o, 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Karim Ghezal, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Benjamin Noirot, 1 Mikaele Tuugahala.
Replacements: 16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Jone Qovu Nailiko, 20 Sebastien Descons, 21 Virimi Vakatawa, 22 Antoine Batut, 23 Remi Vaquiin.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Comments
admack says...
Nice one Leinster - really smart and well though out comment.
On a more serious note - not that I was at the game, however my mate said that it was one of the best games of Rugby he has witnessed ever... now that is a claim.
Posted 13:37 21st November 2011
scot_rsa says...
Just in from the game, extraordinary. Edinburgh dead and buried with 20 mins left. Racing players looked out on their feet from there but take nothing from the Gunners, huge spirit. Racing looked a class apart but guts and attitude (and some great touches) won the day. Going to lie down now. Laidlaw for Scotland!
Posted 22:40 18th November 2011
leinster_goy says...
holy moloney...well at least we know the winner of the 2011/12 cup won't be coming out of this pool, that's for sure
Posted 22:24 18th November 2011