Scottish Rugby

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Derby games are usually a "massive arm wrestle" according to scrum-half George Horne, but it was Glasgow who showed more muscle as they came out 33-14 winners against Edinburgh.

"We knew it would be a special occasion and just running out to see 25,000 fans - mainly Glasgow - was surreal," Horne told BBC Scotland. "It's an unbelievable feat from the club and we did them proud.

"We know how good Edinburgh are and these games are usually a massive arm wrestle. We moved the ball well, that caused them trouble. To score those tries early got our tails up and we hung on from there.

"There's a lot on the line next week, more league points and the 1872 Cup, so we can't wait to get back next week and try and win it."

Returning captain Kyle Steyn was in a similarly good mood, having scored on his injury comeback.

"That was amazing," he told Premier Sports. "I missed these games last year, but I missed most being out there with the boys. The crowd, all the blue flags, it was cracking.

"We've been hit with injuries and had loads of rotation but whoever has put the jersey on each week has really stepped up. We've learnt our lessons well and I'm happy with where we are."

Player of the match Sione Tuipulotu also told Premier Sports: "[Nilling them] was the goal, definitely. The last two tries were pretty disappointing with how they came about. I'm sure we'll be spoken to about that.

"This week was weird for me, preparing to play my brother. I thought he went well tonight, I was really proud of him.

"We've still got one more week, one more game, but I'll enjoy Christmas with my brother which will be nice."

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt told Premier Sports: "We've got ourselves to blame for the predicament we got ourselves into.

"We spoke about allowing Glasgow entires into our 22m. We were ill disciplined in the first half to say the least - conceded 10 penalties and two yellow cards against a team that are the best finishers in the URC.

"That was disappointing. We didn't fire a shot until the last 15 minutes of the game.

"We need to go back and have a chat about where we are. We put in great performances at home but when we're away it's almost like we make the excuse that we're playing away.

"I know the players are hurting in the changing room but there's no one to blame but ourselves."

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Winning Glasgow head coach Franco Smith told Premier Sports: "To see 28,000 supporters is fantastic. To have a performance like that was special.

"If we concentrate only on the fans, we'd have been carried away. We stuck to the process and plan, and scoring nice tries is always welcome. It was mostly about just being us and playing the best we can.

"The last two tries, I'm obviously disappointed. I think we all clocked off a bit and that isn't good enough. It gives Edinburgh wood for their fire and they'll come back fighting next week.

"Edinburgh did well in containing us sometimes. I thought we could have converted even better. We gave away interceptions, ran into ourselves. There's one or two things to look at."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Grant Gilchrist says the only way to alter the contrasting perceptions of Edinburgh and Glasgow is for the capital side to turn over their rivals in the 1872 Cup.

The sides meet at Hampden Park on Sunday before the return leg at Murrayfield on 28 December.

Warriors have received widespread acclaim for their exploits in recent times, most notably last season's URC title win, while Edinburgh have been criticised for their long-standing struggle to find the consistency required to turn them into serious contenders.

"There's always a favourite and there's an underdog and the only way to change people's opinion is by doing it on the pitch," said Edinburgh captain Gilchrist.

"We haven't done it on the pitch, so when we when we do, then we'll deserve the plaudits. It's what's come to Glasgow, not because they've been looking for that as their main goal, because they've worked hard at their game, they've played well and they deserve the plaudits they've had.

"You look at the table, the gap between us and Glasgow, and you [the media] have talked so highly about Glasgow, rightly so, but two wins puts us pretty much level with them. So that puts us in the same conversation as them.

"We are as ambitious as they are. We are not just happy to turn up and play. We demand high standards of ourselves. And we know that these two games can put us back in that hunt. So that's got to be the goal for us."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kyle Steyn says he is "buzzing" to be back fit in time to take part in Sunday's historic 1872 Cup match against Edinburgh at Hampden.

The Warriors captain has been out injured since October and missed Scotland's entire autumn campaign.

The wing will start at Hampden on Sunday for Warriors' first ever match at the national football stadium and is raring to go after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

"I'm just really excited to be back out there with these guys," Steyn told BBC Scotland.

"That's always the toughest part about being injured, you miss being able to contribute, you miss the feeling of being out there. That first European window, the atmosphere, you kind of missed out on that, so I'm just buzzing to be back out there with the boys.

"This is kind of the crunch time of year, these six games, the two European windows and then the derbies. To the boys that have been playing, great job so far.

"We've used so many of our squad and everybody that's put the jersey on has stepped up. I think we're just looking to try and add some momentum to that and keep it going.

"Being in Hampden and how many tickets we've sold, obviously I missed these games last year, so really excited to be back for this one."

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Edinburgh got their Celtic Challenge Cup campaign off to a flyer with a thumping 63-15 win over Glasgow Warriors at the Hive Stadium.

It was the Warriors who took the lead thanks to a try from winger Sky Phimister but the hosts hit back with scores from Hannah Walker, Aila Ronald, Lucia Scott and Cieron Bell while there were kicked penalties from Glasgow's Lisa Martin and Edinburgh's Lucy MacRae.

With a commanding 34-10 lead at half-time, Claire Cruikshank's side did not let up in the second 40 minutes. Bell crossed the line again, while Scotland international Shona Campbell also scored on debut after a quick tap penalty.

Walker got her third try of the night before late scores from substitutes Talei Tawake and Faye Sutherland wrapped up the bruising win, while Erinn Foley grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt says the 1872 Cup double-header against a "formidable" Glasgow team gives his side a chance to show how much they have grown.

Hampden will play host to the first leg on Sunday with over 25,000 tickets sold.

Glasgow sit second in the URC table as they look to defend the title they won last season, while Edinburgh are currently seventh.

"You can look at the game in isolation as an 1872 Cup game, but we'd like to look at it as a URC game," Everitt said.

"Definitely for us it's an opportunity to see how far we've grown over the last three or four months. We have managed to put in some really good performances at home, but have struggled away.

"So Hampden is just another opportunity for us to show that we can do better when we're away from from Hive. The guys are determined to do well. Hampden will be a new experience for our team, but it'll also be a new experience for Glasgow.

"They're a well settled group. Although they've got changes in their team this week, they still have a formidable team."

Glasgow head coach France Smith and Edinburgh counterpart Sean Everitt look ahead to Sunday's 1872 Cup first leg at Hampden Park

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow head coach Franco Smith wants Warriors fans to create their own Hampden roar when his side face Edinburgh on Sunday.

Over 25,000 tickets have been sold for the 1872 Cup first leg at the national football stadium on Sunday.

Smith took the opportunity to sample the Hampden atmosphere for himself last month.

"I went to see Scotland versus Croatia," Smith told BBC Scotland.

"It was fantastic to be a part of it, to hear the 'Hampden roar'. Now hopefully we can get a rugby-like Hampden roar this weekend.

"I must say I'm really grateful to be a part of it for one, and two, for the reaction of the public to come out and support us. I think it makes it special.

"I asked them earlier to vote with their feet and that's going to make it easy in a conversation going forward. The amount of Warriors fans that miss out every week looks like a big number, so hopefully something can be done to accommodate them going forward."

One of the standout individual battles will be in the midfield where the Tuipulotu brothers, Glasgow's Sione and Edinburgh's Mosese, will fill the number 12 jerseys.

"I've played my brother quite a bit in the years when we played, so I know the sensation, know the feeling," Smith said.

"I've got a very good record [against him], to be honest. He'll probably like to say different.

"Actually, outside of the field, more is made of it than actually on field."

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Duhan van der Merwe will make his 100th Edinburgh appearance in the first leg of the 1872 Cup at Hampden on Sunday, while Glasgow Warriors welcome back captain Kyle Steyn.

Edinburgh have only made one change from the XV that recorded a thumping European victory over Bayonne last weekend, with tighthead prop Paul Hill missing through injury.

D'Arcy Rae replaces him, while Ben Muncaster - fresh from signing a new contract - and Ben Vellacott come on to the bench.

Franco Smith rotates 10 from the side that narrowly lost to Toulon and while there's no Rory Darge in the back-row, they welcome back captain Steyn on the wing for his first game since September.

Sebastian Cancelliere starts on the opposite wing and Huw Jones replaces the suspended Stafford McDowall in the centres.

Tom Jordan and George Horne start as half-backs, while Scotland internationals Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, and Matt Fagerson also come in. Ally Miller is the other change in the back row.

In total, there are 25 Scotland internationals in the 30 starting players, with a 13 to 12 split in favour of the hosts Glasgow.

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Cancelliere, Jones, S Tuipulotu, Steyn (c); Jordan, Horne; Bhatti, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Brown, Cummings, Miller, M Fagerson, Mann.

Replacements: Hiddleston, Sutherland, Schickerling, Samuel, Stewart, Fraser, Dobie, Weir.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, Currie, M Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Thompson, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Crosbie, Bradbury.

Replacements: Cherry, Venter, Sebastian, Skinner, Muncaster, Vellacott, Healy, Lang.

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English has been answering some of your questions on Scottish rugby.

Rob asked: What were your thoughts on the 'Emerging Scotland' v Italy Under-23 game? A depressing defeat highlighting the weakness of our grassroots and pathways? Or the start of a great initiative, getting young talent trained under senior coaches and high-level game time?

Tom answered: It's long overdue, Rob. Ireland have had 'Emerging' teams touring South Africa for the last two or three years now and Scotland need to catch up.

These boys need higher level games - and plenty of them. They need a higher level of coaching and this is a big step in the right direction down an admittedly long, long road.

Ian asked: Who's going to win at Hampden? Who's going to win at Murrayfield? Who's bringing home the silverware on aggregate?

And on a similar theme, Nick asked: What is the best result over the 1872 double-header for Gregor Townsend? Is it a dominant champion side in Glasgow or an Edinburgh side adding up to the sum of its parts? (Aside from no injuries!)

Tom answered: Glasgow were always going to be favourites to win the first leg but they'll have the extra motivation of putting on a show in front of a much bigger crowd than they're used to in the city.

They're a fantastic team; brutally tough and rapier sharp on attack. I think they can win both legs.

Murray asked: The derby games always feel like an audition to the Scotland squad. Who do you think is most likely to push into the Scotland squad?

Tom answered: The Scotland matchday squad is really settled. You could write down most of the 23 to play Italy on day one of the Six Nations without much thought.

There is one person who has a big chance of playing his way into it, though.

Ewan Ashman will start at hooker but his back-up is very much up for grabs. It could be Dylan Richardson, as was the case for three of the autumn games, but Gregor Hiddleston has a great opportunity in these games against Edinburgh.

He's been really good this season. Tough and aggressive, decent scrummager, busy around the park. He's only 22 and I'm excited about him, just as I'm excited about Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Alex Samuel, Jare Oguntibeju and others at Scotstoun. There's such a good next wave there.

For the Six Nations, Hiddleston is the one with the biggest chance of crashing through.

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Alasdair asked: Is hooker a worry for Scotland? Ewan Ashman is fine in the loose but lineout not brilliant yet, and Edinburgh were a bit error prone against Bayonne until the Darcy show started.

Tom answered: It's a slight concern in that there's Ashman, who's not exactly a seasoned Test operator, plus a lot of really inexperienced players behind him. They're talented, mind you. Dylan Richardson and Gregor Hiddleston are fine young players who should develop into really good Test players. It'll be fascinating to see how they progress.

Johnny Matthews doesn't seem to be cutting through with Gregor Townsend and his coaches. The lineout is a concern, but that's not always on the hooker.

Lineouts are such complex things now that every part of your drill has to be spot on and, at Test level, you're dealing with world-class players trying to get into your lineout. It's not easy. for anybody. I have faith in Ashman.

James asked: With Tom Jordan off next seaso, they must be in the market for another 10, especially given Adam Hastings' injury woes. Is it time for Finn Russell to return to Scotstoun? He surely has more chances of silverware with Warriors despite Bath's good form in the Prem.

Tom answered: Russell to return to Scotstoun would be the rugby story of the millennium. He's on close to a million a year at Bath, so it won't be happening.

Jordan is going to be a huge loss, He's exceptional in three different positions and Glasgow really, really messed up on this one. They had to keep him.

So, another 10 is needed. Duncan Weir continues to do a stellar job but he can't go on forever. Hastings is jinxed and my heart goes out to him. A 10 will be high on the priority list, but unless the recent Euromillions winner is a Warriors fan then it won't be Russell.

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Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre Stafford McDowall has been suspended for three weeks for making "reckless contact with the eye" of Toulon's Facundo Isa in Glasgow's Champions Cup loss last weekend.

The 26-year-old was cited for the incident - which was missed by officials at the time - after the game.

The offence was deemed to be at the low end of the scale of seriousness, with an entry point of six weeks' suspension subsequently reduced to three on grounds of McDowall's "good disciplinary record and timely acceptance of the charge".

McDowall will miss both of the 1872 Cup matches against Edinburgh over the festive period, in addition to Glasgow's Champions Cup match against Racing 92.

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Scotland international Ben Muncaster has signed a new two-year deal with Edinburgh.

The 23-year-old back row has scored five tries in six club appearances this season and made his international debut against Portugal during the Autumn Nations Series.

"I'm incredibly proud to re-sign with Edinburgh," Muncaster said. "It was a no-brainer.

"This is my hometown club, and I'm loving playing my rugby here under Sean Everitt. The team is playing some exciting rugby, and I'm really enjoying my own game as well.

"I'm excited for the future. There is plenty of room for growth and we're moving in the right direction as a squad."

Head coach Everitt added: "Ben is a hugely important player for this club, and we're delighted that he has committed his future to Edinburgh.

"He's a powerful ball-carrier, a strong defender, and a real competitor. Securing the services of one of Scotland's best young back-rowers is a major boost for the club."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

In the beginning, there was Hughenden, then Firhill, Scotstoun, and on one almost glorious night in the Pro14 final of 2019, Celtic Park.

Glasgow have brought their rugby to four different stadiums in the city and on Sunday they'll make it five when they host Edinburgh at Hampden in the 1872 Cup.

There's been a lot of talk of history around this fixture, a lot of buzz about the continuing story of the reigning URC champions. It's a terrific one, that's for certain. Edinburgh folk must be fed up listening to it, mind you.

How about something on how great they both have been and could be if you combined the best of east and west since the URC's humble origins 23 years ago? A dream team for the ages. There's fun to be had with this. Blazing rows, too.

Full-back: In rugby terms, it has to be Stuart Hogg. Moving on…

Right wing: Consistently excellent and deserving of more from his club career, Darcy Graham has been a joy. His appetite for ball is through the roof. His appreciation of space and execution when he finds that space is world class.

Outside centre: More Glasgow contenders and Huw Jones makes it. A URC winner, a guy with incredible class and an attacking game to die for. He had incredible highs early in his career, then a whole load of lows, but he's been more of a complete these past few years then he was when shooting the lights out for Scotland.

Inside centre: How can you separate them? Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are the most devastating midfield combination in the history of Scottish rugby. We'll be waiting generations to see a partnership as good as this.

Left wing: A victory for Van der Merwe - DTH van der Merwe. Big Duhan hasn't done enough in an Edinburgh shirt. Tommy Seymour came incredibly close, but the Canadian flyer, and try scorer against Munster in the storied final of 2015, is in.

Fly-half: Like Darcy Graham, a guy whose medal cabinet does nothing to reflect the scale of his brilliance. Finn Russell hasn't played in this competition since 2018, but banked a lot of wondrous moments before he hit Paris.

Scrum-half: It could have been Greig Laidlaw, but at the risk of being accused of recency bias - it's not, I'm ancient, I remember them from way back - George Horne and his capacity to play at speed while cutting defences to shreds is remarkable. Niko Matawalu had that quality too, but Horne is still doing it now. Glasgow's third highest try scorer.

Loosehead: Quite a few heavyweight contenders, not least the Lion Ryan Grant and soon-to-be Lion, Pierre Schoeman. The guy we're going for was never a Lion, but he was such a great player. Allan Jacobsen was a colossus, a ferocious competitor, beloved by his fellow players, which tells you a lot.

Hooker: For fear of being accused of favouring regular guests on our podcast, we're not going with Fraser Brown even though he was magnificent for Glasgow. Neutrality, see? Ross Ford takes it. Longevity, quality, physicality. A serious player.

Tighthead: Zander Fagerson. Already well on his way to being one of the great Scottish players. Has everything. A generational prop.

Second-row: We want an other-worldly feel to this team, so Leone Nakarawa, one of the heroes of 2015, is a must-have. A mesmeric off-loader, a skill-set that made you gulp, a running game that was pure magic.

Second-row: Tough. Al Kellock? The Gray boys? A number of others. All would be great picks, but Grant Gilchrist has been a great Edinburgh servant and has come roaring back to form this season. Exceptional lineout man. Made his Edinburgh debut more than 13 years ago. That's insane.

Blindside: The competition is fierce and so is Matt Fagerson, perpetual motion, savagely physical, a bedrock of a champion team last season.

Openside: His body of work has been brilliant for years. He's had dips in form but the autumn suggested his belligerent self is returning fast. Jamie Ritchie at his best is a poaching king and an attritional giant. Massively influential when in full flow.

No 8: And to round off the East-West Dream Team since the dawn of the Pro12 - Bill Mata. Yes, there were most consistent players but show me one who had the genius Mata had. He could do things few other players on the planet could do.

We could do another version of this - give it a go and let us know - but these lads in their pomp would take a bit of beating.

What is Scotland and Edinburgh winger Dracy Graham's "secret sauce"?

Former scrum half Rory Lawson reveals all in this week's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

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Sean Everitt is optimistic his "much-improved" Edinburgh side can stage an 1872 Cup upset against favourites Glasgow Warriors in the first leg at Hampden on Sunday.

Edinburgh missed out on the URC play-offs last season while Glasgow went on to claim a memorable title success, and are currently five places above their inter-city rivals in the table.

Warriors are aiming to win the 1872 for the third season running, although Edinburgh won the second leg at Murrayfield last term.

"For us, it's a challenge," head coach Everitt said. "Obviously, they're the URC champions. They've done well in the Champions Cup.

"The perception is out there that Glasgow are probably favourites if you look at where they are from a form point of view and where they finished up last year.

"In saying that, we're a much-improved team from last year. Our all-round game has improved. Last year, we were more defensive, kicking game-focused.

"I think our attack has improved a lot, as you can see from the last two games we've played at home. So it makes for an interesting derby. Any team can be beaten on any day. We're looking at this one as optimistically as we can."

Everitt, whose side are without an away win since April, feels the fact Glasgow have moved the match away from Scotstoun to Hampden, in order to accommodate a larger crowd, could serve as a leveller.

"I think it does change the dynamic," he said. "I think the change of surface for both teams from (artificial to grass) does neutralise it somewhat. We hopefully will get some preparation on grass this week and I'm sure they will as well."

Everitt expressed sympathy for Freddy Douglas after the 19-year-old back-rower - who made his debut for both Scotland and Edinburgh last month - was ruled out until February with an ankle injury.

"I had a nice chat to him this morning and he's still upbeat," he said.

"He's got a good year behind him and going into the new year he should be ready in the first week of February so he'll be able to contest the Six Nations for Scotland as well."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rory Sutherland says Glasgow Warriors must ensure the Hampden factor works to their benefit when they face Edinburgh in the 1872 Cup on Sunday.

Warriors have switched the first leg of the festive double-header from their Scotstoun home to the national football stadium to boost crowd numbers. Around 24,000 tickets have been sold, more than three times the Scotstoun capacity.

Some Glasgow fans are concerned, however, that Franco Smith's side are giving up the advantage of playing on their home pitch, where they have built a formidable record.

"It's something that we've talked about this week," prop Sutherland told BBC Scotland.

"We need to make sure that it's not a negative factor for us not being at home in Scotstoun. It's something we're really excited about.

"It'll be really good for the fans as well. We'll be able to get a few more thousand people in to come and watch the derby."

Sutherland has experienced the Scottish derby from both sides having spent seven seasons at Edinburgh.

"Obviously, you're playing against your mates that you've been with in the Scotland set-up and for me, obviously guys that I've played with at Edinburgh before," he said.

"It's about taking that emotional side out of it and just treating it like any other game. But I'm looking forward to playing against those guys."

Grant Young
Fan writer

Round two of the Champions Cup was ticked off with Glasgow securing two bonus points amid a nagging sense of what might have been after a hard-fought, one-point defeat at Toulon.

A much changed and youthful Warriors starting 15 caught the full brunt of an early Toulon onslaught. As the hosts' discipline disintegrated, Glasgow were unable to take advantage with several turnovers in possessions in scoring areas or just gifting field positions to the French giants.

The try scored by Josh McKay was classic Glasgow. Fully in flight, it was a try the fans have been used to seeing as the ball was moved seamlessly through the backs into the open space.

When changes were made shortly after the break it became a noticeably edgier affair, though managed well by George Horne.

A brilliant first try by Jare Oguntibeju in his third start for the Warriors capped a majorly impressive debut stretch for the young second row. It was a late score by Johnny Matthews that helped secure the bonus points as boos from the home crowd rained down.

Seven points from the opening two games leaves Warriors second in Pool 3 behind Toulon. It could have been even better had we been able to sneak a win in France.

However, now all the focus shifts to the important battle of the 1872 Cup and Glasgow's first game at Hampden Park.

Warriors v Edinburgh doesn't take much to hype up and the battle of the two Scottish teams at this time of year is always special.

It's also the chance for players to get the better of a potential rival for a Scotland shirt. It's going to be a cracker.