Match Preview | Edinburgh

One of the biggest fixtures on the calendar takes centre stage for Glasgow Warriors this weekend, as cross-country rivals Edinburgh come to Scotstoun for what promises to be another full-blooded 1872 Cup encounter.

Whilst both sides will be missing several key players due to the fixture now falling on the final weekend of the Guinness Six Nations, a derby clash under the Friday night lights is set to provide an atmosphere unlike any other in the United Rugby Championship.

With the two teams tied on points in the United Rugby Championship standings, the fixture holds potentially vital significance in the context of the season.

The Warriors will be looking to maintain their grasp on the 1872 Cup, having wrested control of the silverware from the capital outfit by winning three of the four derbies in the 2020/21 campaign.

Here’s how the fixture is shaping up ahead of this weekend:

Miss out on tickets for Friday’s sold-out 1872 Cup clash?

There’s still time to book your seat at our final regular-season home match, as we take on @ZebreRugby at Scotstoun on Friday 1 April!

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— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 14, 2022

Previous Encounter

With the 1872 Cup having been secured the previous week, the pressure was off Glasgow Warriors as they headed to BT Murrayfield last May for their third match of the Guinness Rainbow Cup.

Yet the visitors made sure they would finish their derby series in style, running in four tries to claim a 31-24 victory in a high-paced affair.

Matt Fagerson and George Turner crossed from close-range in the first-half, before Adam Hastings and George Horne followed suit to ensure the points would be coming home along the M8.

Ones to watch

Arguably Edinburgh’s signing of the season to date, Argentinian full-back Emiliano Boffelli has wasted no time in becoming a firm fan favourite on the east coast. Assured under the high ball and comfortable on the wing in addition to the 15 jersey, the former Jaguares man is also nerveless from the tee, slotting a perfect eight conversions from eight in victory over Connacht last time out.

Still just 21, Charlie Savala has shown flashes of brilliance already in the 2021/22 campaign. Scottish-qualified courtesy of a grandfather from Ayr, the Sydney-born fly-half’s cross-kick to Ramiro Moyano helped Edinburgh to victory over Saracens earlier this season, and provides an element of the unpredictable in the role of pivot.

A highly-valued prospect for both club and country, Ben Muncaster is beginning to show exactly why Edinburgh supporters are so excited by his talent in the back-row. The number eight, who was invited to train with the senior Scotland setup as an apprentice in 2021, is an abrasive ball-carrier, whilst also blessed with a decent turn of pace to boot.

Memorable Moment

Knowing a victory was required to book a home semi-final, Glasgow Warriors turned on the style when the two teams met at Scotstoun in the final match of the 2018/19 regular season.

A 10,000 capacity crowd created a thunderous atmosphere as first Sam Johnson, then Ali Price ran in scintillating scores, the boot of Hastings giving the Warriors a 20-3 half-time lead.

There would be no let-up from the hosts, with Niko Matawalu and Tommy Seymour finishing off superb team scores to leave the final score at 34-10 and send the Warrior Nation home singing.

Match Officials

Hollie Davidson takes charge of an 1872 Cup match for the first time, as the Scottish referee takes charge of her fourth URC fixture.

Keith Allen and Ian Kenny will be her assistants at Scotstoun on Friday night, with Neil Paterson on hand as the Television Match Official if and when required.

Broadcast Information

Supporters can watch the match – which will be played in front of a sold-out Scotstoun – on Premier Sports 1 and URC.tv this weekend, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35pm.

BBC Radio Scotland will also have live commentary of the match, whilst you can follow all the action as it happens in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.