Teams Confirmed for 1872 Cup Opener

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 22: Warriors' Johnny Matthews in action during a BKT United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium, on December 22, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The winger is one of 13 internationals named in the starting XV for the latest instalment of Scotland’s oldest rugby rivalry, as he lines up for his first appearance since scoring a brace of tries in September’s victory over Benetton at Scotstoun.

Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

Jamie Bhatti is the sole survivor in the front-row from last weekend’s meeting with Toulon, as Johnny Matthews and Zander Fagerson – who extended his contract with Franco Smith’s side earlier this week – come in to start.

Gregor Brown lines up in the second-row after recovering from a chest injury sustained in Scotland’s victory over Fiji last month, the Aberdonian packing down alongside Scott Cummings in the engine room.

Two changes to the back-row mean that Ally Miller – a try-scorer in last season’s victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun last season – and Matt Fagerson start on the flanks, with Jack Mann retaining his place at number eight.

Behind the scrum, George Horne and Tom Jordan combine in the half-backs, the former having scored a hat-trick against Sale Sharks on his last start in Glasgow colours.

Huw Jones comes into the midfield in place of Stafford McDowall, with Sione Tuipulotu lining up at inside-centre for the clash with the capital outfit.

Steyn’s inclusion sees Kyle Rowe shift to full-back, as Sebastian Cancelliere completes the back-three for Sunday afternoon’s showdown on the southside.

Gregor Hiddleston rotates to the bench after starting both of Glasgow’s opening matches in the Investec Champions Cup, with Rory Sutherland and Patrick Schickerling – who is set to experience the 1872 Cup for the first time since his arrival at Scotstoun this summer – joining him as the front-row cover.

Alex Samuel wears the number 19 jersey, whilst Grant Stewart and Angus Fraser are both selected in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

The matchday 23 is rounded out by Jamie Dobie and Duncan Weir, as the squad prepares to break new ground in the professional history of Glasgow Warriors.

Duhan van der Merwe will become Edinburgh Rugby’s 44th centurion when he makes his 100th appearance for the club this Sunday against Glasgow Warriors at Hampden Park (22 December, 3pm kick-off) – live on Premier Sports.

Scotland’s all-time top try-scorer recently signed a new multi-year contract to remain in the capital, having been a key figure at the club since joining the club from Montpellier in 2017, scoring 46 tries in his 99 appearances to date.

He will make his 100th appearance in an Edinburgh side featuring one change to the starting lineup that beat Aviron Bayonnais at Hive Stadium last weekend, with Scotland international D’Arcy Rae coming into the side at tighthead.

Van der Merwe is joined in the back three by Scotland teammate Darcy Graham, and ever-present fullback Wes Goosen.

In the centres, Mosese Tuipulotu and Matt Currie continue their partnership in the midfield, the duo having started at inside and outside centre respectively in all of the capital’s matches since the Autumn Nations Series.

Half-back duo Ali Price (scrum-half) and Ross Thompson (stand-off) starts against their former side, the latter for the first time since his summer move across the M8.

In the pack, Rae will pack down with loosehead Pierre Schoeman and hooker Ewan Ashman to form the capital’s all-Scotland front row.

The second-row will once again be occupied by club co-captain Grant Gilchrist and Marshall Sykes, Sykes having featured in all of Edinburgh’s matches so far this season.

The loose forwards are unchanged as a trio of club centurions start together in consecutive matches, with Magnus Bradbury (number eight), Jamie Ritchie (blinside flanker) and Luke Crosbie (openside) all starting.

Glasgow Warriors Team

1 Jamie Bhatti, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Ally Miller, 7 Matt Fagerson, 8 Jack Mann, 9 George Horne,10 Tom Jordan, 11 Kyle Steyn (C), 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 15 Kyle Rowe (25)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Patrick Schickerling, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Grant Stewart, 21 Angus Fraser, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Duncan Weir (155)

Edinburgh Rugby Team

1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. D’arcy Rae, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Grant Gilchrist (C), 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Luke Crosbie, 8. Magnus Bradbury, 9. Ali Price, 10. Ross Thompson, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 12. Mosese Tuipulotu, 13. Matt Currie, 14. Darcy Graham, 15. Wes Goosen

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Ben Muncaster, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Ben Healy, 23. James Lang

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 16th league game)
AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR 2: Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Teams Confirmed for 1872 Cup Opener

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