Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley started the card tricks early, but Glasgow opposite number Gregor Townsend isn’t fooled ahead of tomorrow’s 1872 Cup first leg at Scotstoun.
The Irishman, never fond of revealing his plans until absolutely the last moment, presented a line-up featuring several ‘either-ors’ and an apparent plan to start Scotland fly-half Greig Laidlaw at scrum-half for the first time in over a year at yesterday’s team announcement.
Townsend, on the other hand, played his cards relatively straight although he did surprisingly drop Scotland’s Stuart Hogg to the bench and pick Scotland star Richie Gray’s teenage brother Jonny among the replacements for what would be his pro-team debut.
Bradley claimed that his plans were unclear because of injuries to Lee Jones and Nick De Luca sustained during intense training in preparation.
“We’re considering the option of fielding Greig (Laidlaw) at nine rather than 10,” he said. “The issue for us is the pending information on the availability of some key players that could play in the outside backs.
“It’s a matter of flexibility at this stage. We’ve trained with the various options in the past couple of weeks, so the boys know the systems, with the bearing on selection being whether or not Lee and Nick are available.”
Bradley would appear to be leaning to a combination of Laidlaw at nine and new recruit Piers Francis at 10, depending on De Luca’s injury progress in particular, but it is possible that Bradley is playing games as he attempts to end a series that has seen Glasgow win the last three editions of the 1872 Cup.
Certainly Townsend is forewarned of Bradley’s antics.
“Maybe,” said Toonie when asked if it might be Bradley’s attempt to steal the initiative. “I’ve been told by (assistant coach) Shade Munro that the same thing happened last year and that there were last minute changes, but we’ve got a good inkling of what team they’ll bring on Friday.
“The game will take crae of itself, you could tell from the team meeting yesterday and a bit of edge at training this morning that our guys are pumped up, more than for any other game.
“They were all anticipating the selection announcement this morning, it’s our rivals over the festive period, it’ll be our biggest crowd and it’s also two big games for our league position.”
Townsend made no apologies for dropping Hogg, saying he “hadn’t shown the best form in the lats two games he’s played for us”.
“Peter Murchie has been one of our best players this year at full-back and it shows the competition we have in the back line that someone like Stuart is on the bench.”
As for Gray, the youngster has impressed Townsend in recent weeks playing for club teams.
“He’s made his own schedule, because he’s been outstanding at training and outstanding playing for Currie and Melrose in the B&I Cup.
“A couple of weeks ago I watched his game when Currie played Aberdeen and he was one of the best players on the field, then he was man of the match at the weekend.
“It’s all down to him, the work he’s put in and it’s great to be able to bring someone like him onto the bench.”
Glasgow: Peter Murchie; Sean Maitland, Sean Lamont, Peter Horne, DTH Van de Merwe; Ruaridh Jackson, Niko Matawalu; Ryan Grant, Pat McArthur, Moray Low; Tim Swinson, Al Kellock (capt); Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Wilson. Replacements: Dougie Hall, Gordon Reid, German Araoz, Jonny Gray, James Eddie, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Stuart Hogg.
Edinburgh: Greg Tonks; Lee Jones or Dougie Fife, Nick De Luca or James King, Matt Scott, Tim Visser; Grieg Laidlaw or Piers Francis, Richie Rees or Laidlaw; Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Willem Nel; Grant Gilchrist, Izak van der Westhuizen; David Denton, Roddy Grant, Stuart McInally. Replacements: Andy Titterell, John Yapp, Geoff Cross, Sean Cox, Netani Talei, Rees or Chris Leck, King or Ben Atiga, Fife or Sep Visser.