Ahead of the match, Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “We’ve had a good review this week and the players have been able to get a bit of down time with their friends and families over the Christmas break.

“We’ll have no problems with desire on Saturday. It’s important for us. We’ve got to understand that it’s not just a game of rugby. We’re representing our city. We’re representing the people we play for, our families, and all the supporters.

“We’re going to go full on and I’m sure Glasgow will come full on. These are no trials for the national team. These are full, we want the points, we want the bragging rights and we want to keep the 1872 Cup that we’ve won the last two years.

“It’s important for everybody that we represent our city properly.”

An unchanged back-three sees Blair Kinghorn – a try-scorer in last weekend’s opening leg at Scotstoun – named at fullback, as Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe continue on the wings.

Scotland star Mark Bennett – who yesterday penned a new deal with the club – once again links-up with George Taylor in midfield, while Groom starts at scrum-half alongside stand-off Simon Hickey.

The inclusion of 35-times capped tighthead Nel is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged front-row as Stuart McInally and Pierre Schoeman continue up-front.

Experienced locks Grant Gilchrist and Ben Toolis are once again named in the second-row as Ritchie returns to the back-row alongside openside flanker Hamish Watson and No.8 Viliame Mata.

Elsewhere, Scotland international centre Matt Scott is once again fit and is named among the replacements.





Edinburgh Rugby team to face Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield in the Guinness PRO14

Saturday 28 December (kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports





15. Blair Kinghorn (84)





14. Darcy Graham (27)

13. Mark Bennett (30)

12. George Taylor (15)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (50)





10. Simon Hickey (28)

9. Nic Groom (7)





1. Pierre Schoeman (33)

2. Stuart McInally (141) CAPTAIN

3. W.P Nel (135)

4. Ben Toolis (116)

5. Grant Gilchrist (143)

6. Jamie Ritchie (67)

7. Hamish Watson (104)

8. Viliame Mata (66)





Replacements: 16. Mike Willemse (11) 17. Jamie Bhatti (8) 18. Simon Berghan (73) 19. Lewis Carmichael (40) 20. Magnus Bradbury (72) 21. Henry Pyrgos (31) 22. Jaco van der Walt (48) 23. Matt Scott (89)

Unavailable: Chris Dean, Luke Crosbie, Fraser McKenzie, Jack Stanley, John Barclay