Forget 1872 I want 2017
WARRIORS v GUNNERS, 5.15, PREMIER SPORTS
RICHARD COCKERILL EDINBURGH boss Richard Cockerill will order his troops to turn the clock back a year when they go into 1872 Cup battle with rivals Glasgow. The sides clash today for the first time this season in the opening encounter of the three-match Pro14 series. And though Cockerill is convinced the Gunners are underdogs, he will demand the same level of commitment and guts that earned a shock win 12 months ago – with 14 men. The Edinburgh boss said: “We performed better after Simon Berghan was red-carded! “It brought out a fantastic amount of character in the boys and that is what I want to see again this time round. “All the matches against them last season were very tight affairs and we have to replicate that intensity level. “They’re favourites. They’re probably playing even better than a year ago while we are a little behind where we were. “Last December proved if the mindset is right we can compete with the best team even after a guy has been sent off.” Lock Ben Toolis will make BY DAVID KELSO his 100th appearance for the Gunners and prop Allan Dell is on the bench to make way for Pierre Schoeman, the only change to the line-up that stunned Newcastle last week.
Cockerill added: “This game will be a contrast of styles. We are a developing squad, not as far down the route as Glasgow.
“But we’re a very combative group. We’re unlikely to run away with games but we’re a team that can stay in the fight.
“They’ll want to play how they play, which is pretty freeflowing. But they’ll also want to prove a point around their physicality and forward pack.
“Our European form sets us up for a great battle. But in these derbies, form doesn’t mean much. We’re at home and are going to leave everything out on the field.”
Brothers George and Pete Horne both start for Glasgow – the latter in his 150th outing.
Warriors boss Dave Rennie said: “Edinburgh have a strong kicking game but we know if we can defuse that we’ll get lots of opportunities to attack.
“The boys will enjoy being back at Murrayfield, where a lot of them have played a fair bit for Scotland.”
Impact sub Ali Price added: “Glaswegians want to see a bit of dog in the players. We’re not just playing for ourselves, we’re playing for everyone coming to support us and for the city.”