Edinburgh’s progress has impressed Glasgow star

Hogg hails rival’s improvement – but warns that Warriors won’t roll over

Stuart Hogg admits he has been impressed with the improvement of Edinburgh this season.

Hogg’s Glasgow side head to BT Murrayfield for an 1872 Cup decider that will also determine their rival’s fate this season, with Richard Cockerill’s men hoping to join the Warriors in the Guinness PRO14 play-offs.

That edinburgh are even in contention at this stage of the season for a top three spot in Conference B represents how far they have come after several years in the bottom half of the table, and Hogg thinks this could be the strongest Edinburgh side they have faced for a while.

“I believe so,” he said. “We are used to Edinburgh just punting the ball and defending but they are playing some expansive rugby and an exciting brand, and all credit to them they have worked hard on that.

“They have some cracking players there who have been causing problems such as the winger (Duhan) Van der Merwe, he’s been on fire lately, so that’s one person we will have to shut down.”

Edinburgh go into the game – their last of the regular season – needing just a point to confirm a play-off spot and Champions Cup rugby for next season, while Glasgow are already assured of top spot in the other half of the league having started the season in stunning form.

Three defeats in their last five have halted their progress, but the 1872 Cup decider on Saturday means they will not be rolling over to let their rivals qualify.

And Hogg is targeting a first trophy of the season as they look to defend their title in the Scottish derby with the series currently level at one apiece.

“We wanted to win three trophies at the start of the season and we have a good opportunity at the weekend to pick up the first one,” the Scotland international said.

“It’s the bragging rights for the year and getting one over on your pals.”

He added: “We are not just going to sit down and let them run over the top of us.

“We will face them head on and bring a huge amount of physicality to the game and exploit them with our attacking game.

“It will be a decent encounter and one the boys are looking forward to.”

SNS. Stuart Hogg is targeting trophy success with Glasgow.