Edinburgh win in Vannes to boost Challenge Cup last-16 hopes
Edinburgh started well and took an early lead, storming the Varner line before Price’s lovely long pass brought Goosen over.
Price was the beneficiary when Darcy Graham broke through and drew the covering defense before passing the ball to half court for a score.
France had to respond and they did, with Edwards firing home from close range.
Edinburgh made a brilliant attempt to regain the initiative. James Long broke through and exchanged passes with Graham, finding Price reaching a strong line of support for a brilliant move.
The momentum swung first one way and then the other, and Varner was soon back to where he was. Salesi Rayasi got the home side into the red zone with a couple of feeble interceptions and the ball was recovered and spun to Taccola without any touch.
Jules Leber gave Varner the lead for the first time with a penalty kick early in the second half.
But substitute Thomson picked out van der Merwe with a pinpoint cross, and the big winger crossed to try to retake Edinburgh’s lead.
Their good performance was offset by a weaker defense and substitute Wylie scored from a couple of tackles to reduce Edinburgh’s lead to just one.
Thomson eased the nerves with a penalty and although Edinburgh had to endure some nervy moments in the closing stages, they secured an important victory.
valve: Duplani, Rayasi, Takora, Selly, Nakosi, Kotamanak, Leber, Mukolo, Beziat, Tafili, Van der Merwe, Mezu, Bouli Er, Ursila, Edwards.
Alternatives: Leafa, Djehi, Bourgeois, Desjeux, Parete, Varney, Vili, Ayarza.
Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, Curry, Long, van der Merwe, Healy, Price, Schoeman, Cherry, Sebastian, Sykes, Skinner, Ritchie, Crosby, Mount Custer.
Alternatives: Harrison, Venter, Rey, Young, Watson, Hill, Thompson, Tupulotu.
