Racing 92 v Edinburgh: Bill Mata ready to link up with Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie

Edinburgh's Bill Mata tries to find a way through against Munster. Picture: Bruce White/SNSEdinburgh's Bill Mata tries to find a way through against Munster. Picture: Bruce White/SNS
Edinburgh's Bill Mata tries to find a way through against Munster. Picture: Bruce White/SNS
Bill Mata is fit and firing against and Edinburgh are feeling the benefit.

The Fijian international committed his future to the club earlier this year by signing a new contract and the No 8 is feeling settled at the club and looking forward to this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 in Paris.

“I’m ready to go and fit for selection for Sunday,” said Mata who was sidelined by an ankle injury last month. “I can’t wait to get going again. Racing is a big game for us.

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“They are a really big name in French rugby so our preparation this week has to be better than other weeks. It’s going to be a big moment for Edinburgh rugby and we are all excited for it.”

Richard Cockerill will name his side on Friday and Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie are expected to return to the back row alongside Mata after helping Scotland beat France last Friday.

“It’s really good to have them back in the squad again,” said Mata. “They both played really well for Scotland in the Six Nations so having them back again for Edinburgh is really good news. They can make a real difference on Sunday.”

Mata feels his is coming into form for the season’s run-in.

“I was struggling a bit for form after lockdown and then I got an ankle injury too. So I had to go through rehab all over again. But I feel the more I play, the better I get.”

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