The final eliminators for Six Nations places take a back seat to inter-city pride and the need for Magners League points, according to both Glasgow and Edinburgh squads facing off at Firhill this evening for the first of the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup festive double header.
The Christmas week clashes between the two Scottish pro teams have taken on the mantle of the old international trial in recent times, with Scotland shirts on the line as key battles pop up all over the pitch, not least in last year’s contests when Dan Parks outplayed Phil Godman and eventually took the national stand-off berth.
However both those characters are not involved this year Parks is in Cardiff, Godman in rehab for his knee injury and instead there is a real rivalry brewing between the teams in pure league terms, without even considering international prospects.
Glasgow are defending the 1872 Cup, having won both legs last year and also have never lost to their rivals at Firhill, Edinburgh’s only win in recent clashes in the west coming when the Warriors were barracked at Hughenden.
Skipper Al Kellock, who will make his fourth match since returning from knee surgery and is winding nicely into form, believes that the double win last year was his team’s catalyst to a play-off place.
“Last year we used these games as momentum to push on and eventually get a top-four place and we have to be looking to do that again, as we need to get higher in the Magners league than we are at present,” he said.Enjoyable rivalry”There are big clashes between guys all over the pitch but this is about the league points and the pride. The atmosphere’s been great the last couple of years, with us getting big crowds and our fans clearly enjoy the rivalry.
“I think I’m happier to have them at Firhill first given our record here, but Edinburgh have been playing very well over the last month and it’ll be a tough game.”
Edinburgh have rejoined the lock partnership of Fraser McKenzie, who was rested against Castres last week, and Scott MacLeod, who comes straight back for his first action since coming off for Scotland against South Africa with a rib injury in November.
The capital side will also be without Chris Paterson, who managed only half of the game against Castres a week ago due to a shoulder knock, while in the back row Ross Rennie also returns as skipper Roddy Grant moves to number eight.
Head coach Rob Moffat said, “Chris is feeling a lot better than earlier in the week, but we’ve decided to err on the side of caution and make sure he is absolutely right when he does return to the field again.
“In terms of replacements, Jim Thompson is a very talented player who is more than capable of rising to the level of challenge we’ll all face at Firhill on Monday. It’s great to have Scott MacLeod in the fold once more. He’s a big influence in the team and in the dressing room and he and Fraser have worked very well as a pairing this season.
“There’s a real onus on everyone to make sure we deliver a 15-man performance and give ourselves a chance of winning the game. The players all understand that and can’t wait to get out there and stuck in.”There will be an inspection of the Firhill pitch this morning to check on the condition after Sunday’s SFL game between Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers but there is not expected to be any problem.