Tuipulotu fired up for 1872 Cup clash

Sione Tuipulotu believes Glasgow are ready to thrive in their crunch 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield tomorrow.

The high-stakes fixture carries the triple reward of Champions Cup qualification, a chance to secure a more favourable United Rugby Championship quarterfinal, as well as local bragging rights.

For Tuipulotu, who earned his first Scotland caps earlier this season, the chance to play at the national stadium merely adds to the sense of occasion.

“It’s turned out that this game has a lot riding on it,” he said.

“We want to play in the Champions Cup next year and we want to finish higher up the ladder than them. There’s a lot to play for. We want to finish the season strong.

“I know all the boys are super-motivated and looking forward to it. Last time we were able to get the victory against them and now the challenge is to go away from home.

“I’ve only played at Murrayfield a couple of times but when you’re only travelling 50 minutes along the road, playing home or away probably isn’t as big a factor as when you’re travelling to South Africa.

“The boys are superexcited to play in front of both the Edinburgh and Glasgow fans and I’m sure it’s going to make for a good environment and a good atmosphere.”

Centre Chris Dean, meanwhile, is determined to make Edinburgh’s chances count in the season finale after signing a new contract ahead of what he feels are exciting times in the Scottish capital.

The former North Berwick and Edinburgh academy player has extended his stay at the club ahead of the final against Glasgow.

The winners will secure Heineken Champions Cup rugby for next season as well as avoid a trip to face Leinster in the URC quarter-finals next month.

The 1872 Cup is also up for grabs with Warriors 13 points ahead following the first leg, and Dean labelled Saturday’s game a “massively exciting” prospect.

“You couldn’t write it coming up against Glasgow decides it for us both,” he added.

“There has certainly been strides in the way we have played the game but at the end of the day it comes down to the business end of the season.

“What we have done three, four, five months ago has got us to this position but it’s about who can carry on the form and take the opportunities that are coming in the next few weeks.

“That’s probably somewhere we fell short in the past and that’s something we would like to reverse in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile, Marshall Sykes is free to face Glasgow after his threematch ban was reduced to two games on appeal.

Sione Tuipulotu is relishing playing at Murrayfield.