Match Preview | Edinburgh

Match Preview | Edinburgh

One of the biggest fixtures on the calendar awaits Glasgow Warriors tomorrow evening, as Danny Wilson’s men go head-to-head with cross-country rivals Edinburgh in the opening match of the 2021/22 1872 Cup.

The Warriors
will be looking to kick-start the defence of the trophy they claimed in
decisive fashion last season, after a comprehensive 22-7 victory over Exeter
last time out.

With
Edinburgh themselves having made a European statement with victory over
Saracens in their last outing, though, Wilson’s squad know that they will need
to be on top form as they look to claim valuable URC points over their
Scottish-Italian Shield rivals.

Here’s what you
need to know ahead of tomorrow’s encounter:


Previous
Encounter

Bragging
rights reside in Glasgow ahead of the first clash of the 2021/22 season, after
the Warriors claimed a 31-24 victory at BT Murrayfield in a highly entertaining
affair back in May.

First half
tries from Matt Fagerson, George Turner and Adam Hastings gave Wilson’s men a
narrow 24-17 lead at the interval, with George Horne securing the try
bonus-point in the second period.

11 points
from the boot of Ross Thompson sealed the win for the visitors, as the Warriors
made it three wins in a row over the men from the capital.

Ones to
watch

In line for
his first taste of an 1872 Cup clash, Argentinian full-back Emiliano Boffelli
has been arguably Edinburgh’s signing of the season to date. Blessed with a cannon
of a boot, the Puma has impressed with his rugby intelligence in both the URC
and Challenge Cup to date, and has quickly become a key part of the Edinburgh
back-line.

Boffelli’s
main competition for the title of signing of the season to date comes from Ben
Vellacott, with the scrum-half having swiftly endeared himself to the Edinburgh
faithful. The former Gloucester man was unlucky to miss out on an inaugural
Scotland call-up in the autumn, having brought a spark to the Edinburgh attack
to date this season.

Up front,
Jamie Hodgson will be looking to display the form that earned the second-rower
a senior Scotland debut against Tonga back in October. A shrewd lineout operator,
he also offers a dynamic carrying option in the loose.

Memorable
Moment

It’s a
fixture that always creates moments to savour, yet not always free-flowing
attacking rugby. Yet the meeting between the two sides back in April 2014 is
one that certainly bucked the trend, as the Warriors earned a 37-34 win at
Scotstoun to seal the 1872 Cup in front of the Warrior Nation.

Tries from
Pete Murchie, Ruaridh Jackson and Mark Bennett saw the home side go in with a
healthy lead at the interval, the fixture having been moved from its original
New Year’s Day date due to a waterlogged pitch.

Murchie’s
second and a score from Rob Harley secured the points for the Warriors, despite
a late Tim Visser-inspired fightback from the visitors.

Match
Officials

Ben Blain
will take charge of the opening match of the 2021/22 1872 Cup series, as he
referees his 15th match in the URC.

Keith Allen
and David Sutherland will be on the touchlines as the assistant referees, with
Mike Adamson on hand if and when required as the Television Match Official.

Broadcast
Information

The match is
live on Premier Sports 1 tomorrow evening from 6pm, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

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

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