Colin Gregor
Former Scotland sevens captain on Radio Scotland

Richard Cockerill referenced that three of Edinburgh's first four games away from home. I wonder, is he trying to set expectations? That if they don't get off to a great start, it's not going to be the end of the world?

For the 15 guys that start, they'll be mad keen. The problem with the first game is that excitement and there is still an element of rustiness.

Peter Wright
Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland

I think Cockerill has got choices, guys coming back from injury - Allan Dell, Fraser McKenzie and Hamish Watson.

There's a good blend. They've got a bit of physicality, in Stuart McInally they've got one of the best hookers in world rugby just now,.

Simon Berghan has started to perform, I doubted how good he would be in the scrum, but he never got a chance under Cockerill's predecessor Alan Solomons.

The x-factor player is Mata. They need to get him on the ball and carrying and the conditions tonight will certainly suit his game.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

There’s a huge sense of anticipation around Edinburgh this season - with good reason. They’ve recruited well on the back of a very decent season last time around. Only Glasgow won as many Pro14 games last season (15) and Edinburgh will have gained a lot of confidence from that.

Richard Cockerill has completed phase one of his rebuild - to remove their desperate vulnerability and get them to the knockouts - and phase two is all about getting them into the semi-final. It won’t be easy. They’re in a tough pool, but they have strength in depth for the battles ahead

Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist speaking to BBC Scotland: "We're taking the confidence from how our pre-season and preparation and certain aspects of last year have gone, but we're not being complacent in any manner.

"It's going to be harder for us to make the play-offs this year. We were a bit of a surprise package and teams will prepare for us now. We're going to have to be better and we have lessons to learn ourselves.

"These teams are top-quality and nobody is going to give you anything in this league."

Image source, SNS

Colin Gregor
Former Scotland sevens captain on Radio Scotland

Henry Pyrgos was a really integral part of a lot of Glasgow's success. Henry took a while to adapt to Dave Rennie. But by the end of the season he got his fitness back, he was sharp and his game management is outstanding.

He's got the tactical acumen of Greig Laidlaw but with a bit more sharpness. It's about getting a run of games, of getting free of the niggly injuries - if he does that, he'll be back challenging to be the Scotland start.

Simon Hickey has followed an unusual path from top schoolboy cricketer to Edinburgh Rugby's new fly-half.

A former New Zealand Under-20 captain, Hickey joined the Scottish side after spending three years in France with Bordeaux-Begles.

Edinburgh fans have seen their fair share of pivots come, fail and leave in recent seasons. Cockerill still has last season's first-choice, Jaco van der Walt, to call upon, and will hope Hickey can be the man to direct Edinburgh's attack.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ospreys have lost riveting half-back pair Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar this summer, the duo joining Toulon and Northampton Saints respectively.

But they've brought in some big names too. Scott Williams will add panache and verve to the Ospreys midfield, and the colossal figure of George North could be a huge acquisition.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill on BBC Radio Scotland: "We're confident, we feel well prepared physically and rugby-wise.

"You never know on the opening night - you've got to turn up and perform and we're away three weeks of four at the start of the year. It's a tough start but only a tough start if you don't take the points.

"We think we've recruited well, we've got good balance across our squad. There should be a good buzz. Whatever happens tonight, that won't change.

"But we're here to try and win - the days of Edinburgh rolling over and letting teams try and take the points are over."

In seven years under the previous Pro12 format, Edinburgh finished no higher than eighth.

Cockerill, in his first season at the helm, propelled them to third in Conference B (joint-fifth overall) and a maiden appearance in the play-offs.

Image source, BBC Sport/SNS

Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke: "It is a fresh opportunity for everybody.

"We have new players coming in, a new skipper and changes in our management team and freshness of approach to our rugby.

"We are optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

A strong Edinburgh XV features five summer signings, as well as some familiar faces. Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe were two of the Pro14's most potent attackers last term, while the returning Matt Scott was part of the team that helped Edinburgh reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals in 2012.

Cockerill hands debuts to New Zealander Simon Hickey and Scotland's Henry Pyrgos in the half-backs.

South African prop Pierre Schoeman also makes his club bow, as does Luke Hamilton, who won his first Scotland caps last season.

Hamish Watson is back after shoulder surgery - he joins Hamilton and the Fijian colossus Viliame Mata in the back-row.

Image source, BBC Sport

He didn't play in any of their pre-season games, but Wales and British and Irish Lions totem Alun Wyn Jones starts for the Ospreys tonight.

The lock is one of only seven players to have won Lions Tests against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

But for the first time in eight years, he's not the region's captain - that honour is now bestowed upon fellow Lion and open-side flanker Justin Tipuric.

Box-office wing George North, centre Scott Williams and Aled Davies all make their competitive debuts.

Image source, BBC Sport

Are you ready? It's round one of the Pro14, and Edinburgh's first outing of their second season under Richard Cockerill.

In his first at the helm, the former Leicester Tigers stalwart guided his beleaguered club - who had never placed higher than eighth in the old Pro12 - to a maiden play-off. They amassed more points than ever, and won more matches (15) than any team bar Glasgow Warriors.

Ospreys endured a pretty abject campaign given the quality in their ranks, finishing fifth in Conference A. Steve Tandy was sacked as head coach in January and former Ireland centre Allen Clarke is now the man charged with reviving the region's fortunes.

Image source, SNS