Mike Blair on Bath threats as Edinburgh bid to consign seven-year knockout record to the dustbin of history

Edinburgh will seek to continue their revival under Mike Blair by winning a knockout game for the first time in seven years when they host Bath in the Challenge Cup round of 16 on Saturday night.

You have to go back to their run to the final of the same competition in season 2014-15 for their last success in a one-off tie.

Since then, they have lost one last-16 match, five quarter-finals and one semi.

It’s a wretched record but there has been plenty of evidence this season to suggest it can be consigned to the dustbin of history by this group of players.

As well as a new coach and a new style of rugby, Edinburgh have a new stadium which has yet to be breached in a competitive match.

Such has been their dominance in the DAM Health that they have won their last three home games 66-3 (Brive), 56-8 (Connacht) and 54-5 (Pau).

Blair expects Saturday’s match to be a lot closer despite Bath’s lowly standing in the English Premiership and is especially wary of stand-off Orlando Bailey and the opposition back row, which comprises international trio Josh Bayliss, Sam Underhill and Taulupe Faletau.

“He’s really talented,” Blair said of Bailey. “He seems to have to have the ability to pick out the right runner but he’s also a runner himself and a threat.

“You look at their team selection, it is an impressive side. Back-row in particular, but they’ve got internationals throughout their team, speed and power on the wing, so this is going to be a proper test for us.

“Bath are a quality squad with world class players - Faletau is one example. They’ll be targeting this competition. Their results and performances have improved week on week. So it’s a massive test for us against a top quality Premiership team.”

Edinburgh fared well against