Edinburgh set to be without Scotland stars for Gloucester trip

However, assistant coach Scott Mathie would not confirm which of the international contingent would sit out the trip to Kingsholm, with rest protocols dictating they cannot play five consecutive matches. 

Mathie said: "We're going to play our strongest available squad, but I think understanding that the IPP [International Player Protocol] players came off a six-day turnaround last week, so there will be some consideration in that."

Edinburgh assistant coach Scott Mathie (Image: Edinburgh Rugby)

That means the trip will present opportunities for some of Edinburgh's squad players ahead of a crucial month, with 1872 Cup derbies coming up over the festive period. 

"Every week there's new guys getting opportunity," he added. 

"I think it was great to see Freddy Douglas get on the field last week, so this week will be similar. We're going to get some guys who get a chance to put their hands up, and I think that's really important going into next week and into the 1872 games."

And Mathie insisted Edinburgh's squad is strong enough to compete on two fronts. 

"I think the depth here is great," the South African, who joined in the summer from New England Free Jacks. 

"We've got a really competitive squad, and I've been really impressed with them. As I said, the boys that go out there on Friday have all the confidence in the world."

Edinburgh know Gloucester well having faced the Cherry and Whites in last season's Challenge Cup, when a Louis Rees-Zammit try - his last before heading to the NFL - helped the visitors to a 21-20 win at Hive Stadium. 

Louis Rees-Zammit celebrates with Scotland centre Chris Harris after his decisive try in last season's Challenge Cup meeting at Hive Stadium (Image: SNS) The two sides then met in pre-season, and although it was only nine games ago, Mathie believes plenty has changed. 

"They've obviously changed a lot since last year. 

"I think you get one or two things [from the pre-season meeting], but I think teams grow a lot over the course of eight or nine games. There might be one or two things that you can see there."

But he believes - international stars or not - it is a challenge the capital club should relish. 

"It's a new competition, and we get to go down to Gloucester and get into them, and they're a good team. 

"They're really an attacking side, so we've got some threats to deal with there, but it's an exciting challenge."