Returning Gilchrist could face his cousin

After two false starts, Grant Gilchrist is just glad he can make his comeback for Edinburgh on Saturday.

The Scotland lock has been out since October with a groin injury and was due to return against Glasgow Warriors last Friday until it became clear during the warm-up that parts of the Scotstoun pitch were frozen and dangerous.

He then turned his attention to this weekend’ s Champions Cup game against Sale. But Gilchrist’s frustration was compounded when the Euro - p ean tournaments were suspended amid French fears over the spread of coronavirus.

But the Guinness Pro14 and 1872 Cup contest with Glasgow was so on rearranged in its place, giving Gilchrist the chance to get back into action at S cotstoun.

“Thankfully there is an opp or tunit y to play,” the 30-year-old said.

“It would have been a real disappointment for me personally.

“We have games frozen off, we have games cancelled but I am glad we are getting to catch up with games missed.

“It is an important time to come back and exciting to come back to a derby and I love playing in these games. Exciting times.”

There is also the possibility of Gilchrist going up against his cousin, Sean Kennedy, for the first time.

The scrum-half has just signed a new deal with the Warriors and Gilchrist said :“I am delighted he has picked up another contract at Glasgow as he has played well for them.

“It is great he is staying in professional rugby and he will bean in valuable player for them ."