The eagerly awaited second leg of the 1872 Cup is set to take place at Murrayfield Stadium this Saturday, December 28, with Edinburgh Rugby hoping to turn the tide against their rivals, Glasgow Warriors, after suffering a heavy loss last week. Following Glasgow's impressive 33-14 victory at Hampden Park, Edinburgh finds themselves with the challenging task of overcoming a 19-point aggregate deficit. An expected crowd of nearly 40,000 spectators promises to create an electric atmosphere, as fans flock to witness this storied rivalry.
For Edinburgh, the match is not just about pride, but also about reclaiming their standing in the United Rugby Championship (URC), where they currently occupy ninth place. Head coach Sean Everitt, under pressure to improve results, has made four key changes to his starting line-up. Hooker Dave Cherry, who will make his 100th appearance for the club, replaces the injured Ewan Ashman. He is joined by Sam Skinner, who takes over from Marshall Sykes at lock, and Boan Venter, who returns after scoring two late tries last week, earns his spot back at the expense of Magnus Bradbury. Everitt's adjustments reflect his intent to bolster the team's performance, particularly after they struggled with discipline during the first encounter.
Everitt expressed the importance of showing pride in the jersey to his players, noting, “They are certainly motivated to show the spectators they have pride in the jersey—and I know they do have even if sometimes the performances don’t show it.” He emphasized the need for patience and discipline against Glasgow's relentless attack, acknowledging factors like line-breaks and breakdown performance hindered them last week.
On the opposite side, Glasgow Warriors, holding the advantage of both victory and morale, have made slight tweaks to their line-up, substituting Johnny Matthews with Gregor Hiddleston at hooker, and Jamie Dobie starting at scrum-half instead of George Horne. Coach Franco Smith remains focused on achieving both the URC points and the cup itself, stating, “We know now they know what to do to get under our skin...our aim for this week is to be even more consistent.” Smith, acknowledging last year’s challenges, aims to avoid complacency and maintain his team's strong performance against their formidable opponents.
The Glasgow Warriors are riding high on their performance from last week and are currently positioned second in the URC standings. Smith is confident his team will deliver yet again, having started 36 different players throughout the tournament this season and having built depth and versatility within the squad. This is evident from the way they've handled injuries and managed player rotations effectively, demonstrating their strength.
Key match-ups to look out for during this fixture include the dynamic between Edinburgh’s wing Duhan van der Merwe and Glasgow's Caleb Steyn, as both teams deploy their star players to exploit weaknesses. Everitt's strategy will likely revolve around facilitating more touches for Van der Merwe, who has shown remarkable prowess when properly engaged. The blend of youth and experience within the Edinburgh squad, alongside their dedicated home crowd, is expected to inject energy and drive.
Despite the challenges, the underlying intensity of the 1872 Cup is set to deliver exciting rugby, with historical significance and local pride at stake. Both teams will be vying for more than just the trophy, as the match holds key URC points, which could prove pivotal as the season progresses. A victory for Edinburgh could restore confidence and alter the conversation around the team’s capabilities, whereas Glasgow could underline their status as URC frontrunners.
Sean Everitt concluded on a hopeful note, saying, “The guys are upbeat... we’re not going to take risks to lose the game to get more points when the URC is so important.” The stakes are high as these two giants of Scottish rugby prepare to clash once again, promising fans not only competitive sport but also the spirit of rivalry.
