The coaches have named their teams for the opening leg of the 1872 Scottish Cup, at BT Murrayfield on Sunday 27 December (kick-off 15:05 UK time; 17:05 SA Time). As reigning cup holders, Alan Solomons has made 2 changes to the Edinburgh starting XV that beat London Irish last weekend in the European Challenge Cup, while Gregor Townsend has called up former Edinburgh scrumhalf Grayson Hart replacing Mike Blair in the No 9 shirt as the Warriors return to Guinness PRO12 action following their back-to-back European Rugby Champions Cup wins over the Scarlets.
In total there are 20 Scotland capped players in the starting XVs (8 for Edinburgh, 12 for Glasgow) with a further 4 on the bench (1 for Edinburgh, 3 for Glasgow). With the RBS 6 Nations Championship only 6 short weeks away, the players will want to impress head coach Vern Cotter as well as win their team valuable Guinness PRO12 league points.
Edinburgh won the 1872 Scottish Cup at BT Murrayfield on 2 January this year, after a 5-year sabbatical in the Glasgow trophy cabinet, in a nail-biter before a then-record crowd of 15 810. This year’s attendance has already broken that figure, with sales increasing daily, making the match the must-see fixture of the festive period in Scotland.
Head coach Alan Solomons said: “We’re all delighted that we’ll have such a big crowd adding to the atmosphere of what is always a hard-fought fixture. With both clubs winning their European fixtures last weekend, the teams will be looking for the momentum to carry through to a winning performance on Sunday. We know how keen Glasgow are to win back the trophy – and how intent we are on retaining it – so I’ve no doubt it will be a highly physical encounter.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “It’s great to hear that our supporters are travelling through to Edinburgh in large numbers to get behind the team, and their vocal support will once again give us a boost this weekend. The 1872 Scottish Cup matches are always highly anticipated encounters and we’re really looking forward to Sunday’s game. We must remain focused for the full eighty-minutes if we’re to come away with a positive result and crucial Guinness PRO12 points.
Teams:
Clearly england have a strategy going and I smell blood on the streets. This could get ugly. A lot of batting to come.
@ Tassies:
Hi Tassies. Complements of the season to you. Yes, third world tools only too right. I still, however, believe, that rebuilding will almost be a non starter unless the powers that be change the rules. I just don’t think you can have top class players with alternative thoughts running through the heir heads.
Just a thought, and so true of today’s situation – we have been struggling for someone to fill Kallis’s boots as an alrounder – what about Johan Botha? A player that was treated appalingly and decided to ply his trade in Aus. How well has he done over there, and potentially still a player that we could be using at test level I believe
@ Just For Kicks: Yes indeed. Watched him on SS2 yesterday. I checked to see who our selectors were. Only one of our selectors (Ashwell Prince) has Test match experience. And that includes our coach. So are we surprised by what we’re witnessing? Shouldn’t be. I’d listen to Ashwell but none of the others. They wouldn’t have a clue what Hash and his players are actually going through.
Our convenor of selectors, Linda Zondi is 39 years old. In 1994 he would have been an 18 year old, eligible to play for any team were he good enough. He’s played three first class cricket matches in his career. How the hell would he know about Test match pressures on players I ask with tears in my eyes? What makes him qualified to be the top man? Somebody tell me. Nama??
@ Tassies:
Ashwell Prince was also a strange selection as selector to me. I am sure a great potential selector – I am not one to judge, but here is a guy, fresh out of playing – and someone who has spent the majority of his time over the last 5/6 years playing on the English county circuit. You would think he would need a to spend a bit more time in SA assessing the situation before going into such an important position.
I don’t know, but another position that smacks of ‘quota’ to me
@ Just For Kicks: And cheers to you JFK. May 2016 be good for you.
Tassies wrote:
If V Rooyen can make it to finance, then you shouldn’t be surprised to see Zondi in the selectors role – anything is possible!!!
@ Just For Kicks: We are indeed in a very bad space. I witness same in business. People in business, making important decisions, who actually haven’t a clue what they’re doing. That is very much under the radar. This(cricket) is an overt expression of the same. Please someone prove me wrong.
Tassies wrote:
I can’t, because you’re right!
The bowlers are doing very well to keep the run rate in check at the moment, apart from that 1 Piedt turner, this pitch is offering nothing to the bowlers.
and while I’m warming to the subject; why aren’t we seeing the likes of Keppler Wessels, Shaun Pollock, Peter Kirsten, Mark Boucher, Neil McKensie, Gary Kirsten, HD etc invited onto the selection panel. They would have a far better idea of the pressures and nuances of Test cricket than the current panel.
@ Just For Kicks: Yes agree. The pitch favours the batsmen no question. But we are not creating anything. Its very one-dimensional. There is no pressure on the English batters. Again, I hope I’m wrong and our Dane Piedt takes three quick wickets by tempting the batsmen into shots. I dream.
The trusty Morkel
no sooner were the words out my mouth and Morkel proves me wrong. What a ball. Absolutely beauty. This will give the big man confidence. And I bet AB enjoyed that contribution too. Big moment in the game.
Seems bad luck follows captain Amla & Domingo…probably already thinking about how to save the match.
WON the toss in Durbs and decides to have a bowl,big mistake and end up losing the game…
LOST the toss at Newlands and subsequently forced into bowling,then they pick 3 pace bowlers that are triplets,identical,exactly the same,similar…
England if they smart,which I think they are,will bat out the day and then carry on tomorrow piling on the pressure,declare,put our boys in,enforced the follow-on and rap this up by Tuesday early so they can have Wednesday off.
Does that sound about right or was it too NEGATIVE thinking from me???
Oh and just as I’m about to to post this comment Morkel strikes,how extraordinary that is…
Imagine a selection panel of Peter Kirsten, Gary Kirsten and Sean Pollock with no interference from above. 3 of the games greatest players and thinkers
@ Tassies:
@ Just For Kicks:
@ provincefan:
G’day boys. Happy New Year.
Think the barmy army will look like pink prawns after this test match.
The poms and injuns this summer have given the Proteas lessons in batting. A couple of big partnerships will lift the guys confidence. The deck is perfect for batting – Newlands always has been.
@ provincefan:
@ Tassies:
Morne is always going to take wickets and get the odd ball to do something. He always has and always will, however it is between those balls that matter. PF, not negative, although I do think they will up the run rate today a bit, aim to get a huge total and force SA to follow on and bat twice on a pitch that is only going to deteriorate after tomorrow
there is a strong temptation to get my butt down to Newlands. Two problems. Its bloody hot. And I hate being outnumbered by the opposition in my own back yard. Hope the visitors are enjoying themselves and spending lots of their foreign loot on our local goodies. A 5 quid beer costing much less than 2 quid must be a reasonable incentive.
@ IAAS:
Happy new year – one thing about the barmy army is that they always turn into prawns, by I guarantee you, they will still be there after 5 days making it seem a home game to the English!!! A great group of lads and ladesses
79 @ Tassies: yes, looks like a stunning day down there. Wet, windy, cold on mud island – would love to be at the cricket right now!!!
@ provincefan: Hullo. Yeah he did the same to me. You shoot your mouth off and whalla one gets a hens baby in the face. And a fine year to you too.
Morne always the best when bowling short sharp spells. Hope Amla doesn’t over bowl him, as he may get carted when he tires
Aaaaargh. Morris needed to take that one
@ IAAS: I can confirm there’s not much ozone protection above this city and its been shitting hot all week long. Peri Peri prawns more like. No shade at Newlands. Speak from experience.
And dropped. Good effort though. But Proteas need to turn half chances into wickets – those are signs of a top team.
unlucky Morne. That was a seriously difficult chance. Pity Morris couldn’t repeat his first effort. Would have earned him MOM.
@ Tassies:
Looks stunning at Newlands. Been very hot in jozi for a couple of months now.
Root doesn’t give you too many chances
@ IAAS: that aside, one has to say, the boys are far sharper in the field today. It’s quite apparent.
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