Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors battle it out on Saturday for the 1872 Cup live on STV and online at stv.tv from 14.30. Glasgow will be aiming to capitalise on their first leg victory to reclaim the Cup while extending their lead at the top of the Magners League. Their rivals Edinburgh however can use the match as an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table with the possibility of raising the cup for a second time in as many years.
Edinburgh, who are looking to overturn a 25-12 deficit from the first leg, welcome the return of Scotland lock Jim Hamilton which will give the side a massive boost going into the match. The 27-year-old has been out all season with a knee injury but has been given the go-ahead to return against the Warriors at Murrayfield.
Head coach Rob Moffat said: "It is good to have him back like it has been with Ross Rennie and David Callam. His return gives the squad a massive boost."
Hamilton’s return is just one of four changes made by the coach as the capital’s side hope to retain the 1872 Cup. Kyle Traynor has been reintroduced into the front row, Alan MacDonald reclaims the number six top after recovering from a rib injury, wing Mark Robertson return and John Houston moves across to inside centre.
Moffat hopes the changes will encourage the team to come out with a positive, fighting spirit in reaction to Sunday’s defeat.
“There should be a reaction to Sunday's result from our players - we didn't play well and we lost to our closest rivals. Glasgow went top of the league, while we dropped down to fifth place.
"So this is a massively important game for us; not just because it is Glasgow, but because it is a big game in the wider scheme of the Magners League. There was a good crowd at Firhill last week and it would be great to see another record-breaking crowd at Murrayfield on Saturday."
Mike Blair is still ruled out with an ankle injury, but Edinburgh's skipper is edging ever closer to a return. Vice-captain Allister Hogg could miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a hip problem last week. Stand-off David Blair (ankle) continues to be ruled out, while club captain Simon Cross is still out with a knee injury along with Andrew Easson (knee), Ryan Grant (ankle) and Simon Webster (hamstring).
Glasgow’s head coach Sean Lineen delayed naming his substitutes for the match, but confirmed a unchanged starting line-up to the team which overcame Edinburgh at Firhill. A defeat for Lineen’s Warriors could see Edinburgh draw level in the Magners League and the coach is eager to tie up the loose end.
Lineen, who will name his bench on Friday, said: "I've been very impressed with the players' attitude this week because we all know we have unfinished business. We've had a pretty full-on week and are leaving nothing to chance.
"Edinburgh will be hurting but we've been there before. We're expecting a very fierce match on Saturday."
Firhill hosted a record-breaking support in the first match between the fierce rivals and Lineen is hoping the Glasgow fans back the team in Edinburgh.
"The crowd at Firhill was fantastic and I'm sure there will be another record attendance at Murrayfield this week. There will be a large number of Glasgow fans through in Edinburgh and these supporters are always vital for us."
