Edinburgh team to face Glasgow Warriors in the 1872 Cup

Dec 21 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 1775 Views • Comments Off on Edinburgh team to face Glasgow Warriors in the 1872 Cup

Edinburgh Head Coach Richard Cockerill has brought seven Scotland internationalists back into the fold for this weekend’s highly anticipated 1872 Cup derby against Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield (Saturday 23 December, kick-off 5.10pm).

After turning out at stand off against Krasny Yar last weekend, Blair Kinghorn reverts to his customary position of full-back. The 20-year-old is joined in the back three by wings Dougie Fife and Duhan van der Merwe.

In the midfield, Phil Burleigh returns to first XV action and is partnered by James Johnstone, who features in his first 1872 Cup derby. At half-back, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne links up with Jaco van der Walt, who gets the nod after missing last weekend’s European Challenge Cup encounter due to illness.

An all Scotland front-row sees hooker Stuart McInally pack down alongside Rory Sutherland and Simon Berghan, whilst Ben Toolis and Grant Gilchrist make up a second-row which features 187 Edinburgh appearances. Hamish Watson and Cornell du Preez link up with Fijian internationalist Viliame Mata in the back-row.

Ahead of this weekend’s 1872 Cup derby, Cockerill said: “We know Glasgow are a good side – their back-line features most of the Scotland team. 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.”

Edinburgh team to face Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO14 at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 23 December (kick-off 5.10pm).

15. Blair Kinghorn (55)

14. Dougie Fife (94)

13. James Johnstone (11)

12. Phil Burleigh (67)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (3)

10. Jaco van der Walt (3)

9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (96)

1. Rory Sutherland 55)

2. Stuart McInally (111) CAPTAIN

3. Simon Berghan (41)

4. Ben Toolis (78)

5. Grant Gilchrist (109)

6. Viliame Mata (23)

7. Hamish Watson (77)

8. Cornell du Preez (92)

Replacements: 16. Neil Cochrane (63); 17. Murray McCallum (28); 18. Matt Shields (2); 19. Fraser McKenzie (91); 20. Jamie Ritchie (40); 21. Nathan Fowles (45); 22. Chris Dean (54); 23. Darcy Graham (2)