Wilson backs McLean to give Warriors derby edge

RUFUS McLEAN will be unleashed against Edinburgh in tonight’s 1872 Cup clash — with head coach Danny Wilson confident he can provide the ‘X-Factor’ for Glasgow Warriors. Scotland winger McLean had been out of action for almost three months due to a niggling groin injury, but is back for the derby showdown at BT Murrayfield. It’s a huge boost for a Glasgow side who go into the game on the back of three successive defeats in all competitions. Their season could be in danger of fizzling out as they move from this evening’s final league clash into the quarter-final play-offs in the United Rugby Championship. But Wilson insists the return of McLean (pictured), 22, can provide the spark his team need. ‘Rufus has worked really hard with the performance staff through his rehab and his conditioning to get back to fitness — he’s raring to go,’ said Wilson. ‘Cole Forbes played really well in the last game against Lyon, scored a good try, but Rufus has got the nod because he brings that X-factor. ‘He had a groin issue, which can be relatively complicated, so you need to make sure you get them exactly right — especially for a racehorse and a sprinter like him. He’s definitely ticked the boxes to be able to play 80 minutes if called upon.’ This game will define what next season looks like for both clubs; Champions Cup or the lesser Challenge Cup. There’s also the incentive of trying to finish as high up the league table as possible to secure a slightly more favourable draw in the play-offs, albeit both teams are guaranteed away fixtures. Winning some silverware would be a bonus, but Wilson admitted the prospect of mixing it with Europe’s elite is the main objective. ‘That’s one of, but probably the main factors in this game — qualification for Europe,’ he said. ‘We’ve both finished in the top eight, which is your goal to qualify for Europe. ‘It’s disappointing that no Welsh team got into the top eight, yet they automatically get that single place. It’s disappointing the top eight doesn’t get you in automatically, but that’s the rules of the game. We’re now both battling for that opportunity to be playing in the European competition we both want to be in. ‘It’s been very different this year. In the past, the qualification hasn’t involved the four big South African teams, so it’s a tougher challenge now.’ Despite a lengthy injury list, Wilson has named his strongest possible team, with Ali Price and Ross Thompson partnered together in the half-backs. McLean starts on the wing and is part of a back three including Josh McKay and Ollie Smith at full-back. Sam Johnson and Sione Tuipulotu get the nod in midfield. Tom Gordon returns at openside and is joined in the back row by skipper Ryan Wilson and Jack Dempsey, with Richie Gray and Rob Harley picked in the second row.