Glasgow Warriors make several changes for the New Year’s Day meeting with Edinburgh with Chris Fusaro taking over the captaincy from Chris Cusiter.

bbc

Henry Pyrgos and Ruaridh Jackson form a new half-back partnership while Byron McGuigan and Sean Lamont earn starts.

In the pack, Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman and Josh Strauss all come in.

Edinburgh make only one alteration with Alasdair Dickinson, fresh from signing a new deal, replacing Wicus Blaauw at loosehead prop.

The Pro12 match doubles as the second leg of the 1872 Cup, with Warriors leading 20-16 following their win at Murrayfield on Boxing Day.

Sean Maitland switches from full-back to right wing for the hosts while Stuart Hogg moves to full-back from centre.

Pat MacArthur, Duncan Weir, Jon Welsh and Ryan Wilson drop to the bench, while DTH van der Merwe, Cusiter and Tyrone Holmes miss out after featuring in the first leg.

“Edinburgh played really well against us last week and we know we face another tough game tomorrow night,” head coach Gregor Townsend told the Glasgow website.

“These fixtures against our oldest rivals are the most anticipated games of the season. We are playing for a trophy and also valuable league points.

“I believe it’s important to give players the opportunity to be involved in such an important series of games for the club.

“I expect those selected to deliver an 80-minute performance full of physicality, discipline and emotional control. That’s what will be required to go on and retain the 1872 Cup.”

Edinburgh need to win by five points or more if they are to lift the trophy for the first time since season 2008-09.

And, explaining his only change on Edinburgh’s website, head coach Alan Solomons said: “Wicus did very well and the more he has played the better he has got, but Ally has been in a rich vein of form and we welcome him back to start the match.

“I think we can take heart from the fact that we were in the driving seat for much of last week’s match however we failed to capitalise on some clear opportunities.

“Conversely, Glasgow took their chances.

“We know going to Glasgow is not going to be easy. They are on their home turf and are obviously in a strong position having taken the lead last week.

“We know it’s going to be a tremendous challenge but the whole team is looking forward to it.”

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Byron McGuigan, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Sean Lamont; 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Henry Pyrgos; 1 Ryan Grant, 2 Dougie Hall, 3 Ed Kalman, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Tom Ryder, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Chris Fusaro (capt), 8 Josh Strauss.

Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Leone Nakarawa, 20 James Eddie, 21 Ryan Wilson,  22 Niko Matawalu, 23 Duncan Weir.

Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Ben Atiga, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt), 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 5 Ollie Atkins, 6 Cornell Du Preez, 7 Roddy Grant, 8 David Denton.

Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Izak van der Westhuizen,  20Mike Coman, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Tony Fenner, 23 Sam Beard.