EDINBURGH SIDE NAMED FOR RECORD-BREAKING DERBY DECIDER

The Edinburgh Rugby team to face Glasgow Warriors in tomorrow afternoon’s 1872 Cup decider at Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been announced (Saturday 30 December, kick-off 3pm) – live on Viaplay.

Set to be played in front of a record crowd of well over 33,000 – with over 24 hours of sales still to go – Senior Coach Sean Everitt names two changes to the side that faced Glasgow Warriors in last Friday’s opening leg at Scotstoun Stadium.

Blindside flanker Luke Crosbie replaces Hamish Watson in the back-row – with the British & Irish Lion named on the bench – as Jamie Ritchie switches to the openside.

In the backs, experienced outside-centre Mark Bennett comes in for the injured James Lang, as Matt Currie shifts to inside-centre.

The men’s derby is part of an historic intercity double-header in the Scottish capital with Edinburgh Rugby women’s team taking on their Glasgow counterparts in Hive Stadium earlier in the day (kick-off 12 noon).

On his selection, Everitt said: “We’re excited to give both Luke [Crosbie] and Mark [Bennett] their opportunity tomorrow afternoon. They are two guys that always give their all to the jersey and they’ll be fired up to get the start against Glasgow.

“This is a massive occasion for the club and a really important fixture for the season ahead. We know how much the intercity derby means to our fans – the squad can’t wait to represent the city and run out in front of well over 33,000 supporters.

“The fans will have a massive role to play come kick-off. We want to create a cauldron of noise inside Scottish Gas Murrayfield for what is set to be a proper derby decider between two sides that know each other well.”

An unchanged back-three sees Wes Goosen continue at full-back alongside recently re-signed Scotland wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.

With Currie and Bennett linking up in the centres, Ben Healy (stand-off) and Ali Price (scrum-half) are once again selected at half-back.

Up front, hooker Ewan Ashman packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel, as Glen Young and skipper Grant Gilchrist complete the tight-five.

Fijian internationalist Viliame Mata continues at number 8 alongside flankers Crosbie and Ritchie.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Glasgow Warriors at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 30 December (kick-off 3pm) – live on Viaplay

15. Wes Goosen (20)

14. Darcy Graham (62)
13. Mark Bennett (96)
12. Matt Currie (26)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (82)

10. Ben Healy (9)
9. Ali Price (5)

1. Pierre Schoeman (105)
2. Ewan Ashman (9)
3. WP Nel (194)
4. Glen Young (32)
5. Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (195)
6. Luke Crosbie (91)
7. Jamie Ritchie (103)
8. Viliame Mata (124)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (79)
17. Boan Venter (54)
18. D’Arcy Rae (2)
19. Marshall Sykes (51)
20. Hamish Watson (146)
21. Ben Vellacott (47)
22. Cammy Scott (5)
23.Emiliano Boffelli (32)

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin (back), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), James Lang (shoulder), Ben Muncaster (foot), Harry Paterson (concussion), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (hamstring), Tim Swiel (concussion).