The first meeting of the season between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors promises to be a cracker of an encounter as the battle for the 1872 Cup is renewed. What’s at stake? The 1872 Cup, the oldest inter-city rugby rivalry, will be decided in a best of three format this year, with Saturday providing the first round. Warriors, unbeaten in the league thus far, will be looking to further cement their place at the top of Conference A and match Ulster’s record for the best start to a season. Edinburgh, meanwhile, sit fourth in Conference B and victory over their near neighbours will reduce the gap to the teams above them and help them push for a Champions Cup slot. Team news (Edinburgh): Seven internationals return for Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh side, including Phil Burleigh, who starts in midfield alongside James Johnstone. Jaco van der Walt is back after missing last week through illness while there’s an all-Scottish front row in Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland and Simon Berghan. Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Jonny Gray will celebrate his new two-year contract by skippering the Warriors with Scott Cummings in the second row. Rob Harley returns from injury to start in the back row while Alex Dunbar and Huw Jones reignite their international partnership in the centres. Talking points: Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie said: “Everyone talks about the 1872 Cup games with the same kind of passion that we talked about the derbies back home (in New Zealand). “Boys will have friends amongst the opposition but for 80 minutes, you put that aside and go toe-to-toe. I suppose it’s a game that divides Scotland. “I know the boys are really keen. We tend to have an edge around training every week regardless of who we’re playing but this week is certainly more personal.” Cockerill added: “This weekend is going to be a great barometer of where we’re at as a team and how well we’re progressing. “We’re doing some good things and we’re paying a nice brand of rugby. It’s a big day for us as a club and I’m hopeful that Edinburgh take another positive step forward.” Key Battle: Fraser Brown v Stuart McInally Brown missed the Autumn internationals for Scotland and McInally stepped in and took his chance with a trio of tries from his three starts. It means when the two mobile hookers go head-to-head, there’s sure to be an extra bit of spice in what is already expected to be a fiery derby. Brown returned from his lay-off against Montpellier last week and will be desperate to show he’s back to full fitness against his rival. Did you know? Edinburgh have lost just one of their last five encounters with Warriors – 12-25 at BT Murrayfield on Boxing Day 2016. Key Stat: Glasgow Warriors have won all ten matches in the Guinness PRO14 this season. Another victory would tie Ulster’s record for the best start to a campaign set in 2012-13. Edinburgh: B Kinghorn, D Fife, J Johnstone, P Burleigh, D van der Merwe, J van der Walt, S Hidalgo-Clyne, R Sutherland, S McInally, S Berghan, B Toolis, G Gilchrist, V Mata, H Watson, C du Preez Replacements: NCochrane, M McCallum, M Shields, F McKenzie, J Ritchie, N Fowles, C Dean, D Graham Glasgow Warriors: R Jackson, T Seymour, H Jones, ADunbar, L Jones, P Horne, A Price, J Bhatti, F Brown, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, J Gray, R Harley, M Smith, S Vunisa Replacements: P MacArthur, O Kebble, S Halanukonuka, K McDonald, C Fusaro, H Pyrgos, F Russell, N Matawalu Referee: Frank Murphy AR1: David Wilkinson, AR2: Lloyd Linton, TMO: Dennis Hunter TV: Sky Sports & BBC Alba (5pm) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
