In Numbers: Agen

• 15 January 2020
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This Saturday we welcome French club Agen to BT Murrayfield in round six of the European Challenge Cup. The French club currently sit bottom of Pool 3 on zero points, having lost all five matches so far this year. Agen are also currently bottom of the Top 14, with 18 points earned and three wins secured following 13 matches this current campaign.

Last time out

Edinburgh travelled to face Agen at Stade Armandie last November in their opening match of the 2019/20 Challenge Cup. The capital secured a bonus-point win on the night thanks to scores from Damien Hoyland, a brace from eventual Man of the Match George Taylor and a last-minute effort from replacement, Cammy Fenton. It was the perfect start for Edinburgh as the 10-31 victory left them atop Pool 3 following the first round of action.

Previous meetings

The two clubs previously met in the 2015/16 European Challenge Cup, with Edinburgh coming out on top in both matches. The capital side won 6-27 at Stade Armandie in November 2015 before winning 23-0 against the Top 14 club at BT Murrayfield in January 2016 – a match in which now-Scotland international back-row Magnus Bradbury scored his first try for the club.

On current form

The two teams come into Saturday's encounter in polarising European form. The capital club are unbeaten in 15 home pool stage games in the Challenge Cup (W14, D1), their last such defeat coming in 1997 (v Newcastle Falcons). Agen have lost their last 13 away games in the Challenge Cup, and their last six such wins have all come on Italian soil. Agen have this season scored the fewest points (57), and tries (6) in the competition, while they also have the lowest lineout success.

History and tradition

Agen can boast a number of high-profile former players, including Phillipe Sella – the legendary French international, capped 111 times by his country. Sella is the current president of Agen and is highly involved in the running of the club. Fijian international Rupeni Caucaunibuca played for the French side between 2004-14, notching us 325 points in 111 games at Stade Armandie. Elsewhere, former Edinburgh player Luke Hamilton also turned for Agen and made 35 appearances between 2014-2016 before joining Leicester Tigers.