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:
and as I say that……….WTF
Look at that. 28 off 31 balls
Tassies wrote:
Hahaha, that’s twice!!!!
@ IAAS: It does doesn’t it. I was out riding Durbanville’s hills at 6.30 this morning. Stunning hot, clear and virtually windless day. But still too hot to be out in direct line of sun for too long around midday.
Morne toiling now
@ Just For Kicks: Ja, I really need to shut up. 😥
Root is looking too comfortable. Hope that puts the mockers on him. 😈
@ Just For Kicks: Yes. and Piedt is doing a good job so far. 0 for 29 after 14 in these conditions is tidy stuff.
Tassies wrote:
I have been watching Root for a couple of years now – this guy could go on to be one of the games greatest. A great eye, a great temperament and great to watch. I love watching him bat
……could that have put the mockers on him!!!
we’re going to have to uproot Joe or this could get nasty and you can’t bowl on his toes legside because he’ll stay rooted to the crease and pick the runs. How about that for a pair of puns?
@ Just For Kicks: Yes and that seems to get up a certain Aussie opener’s nose.
that was a beauty from Rabada. A real beauty. Fast bowler’s gem. Pity AB got a speed-wobble in the process. Huge pity.
you nearly did the job. Root was done by pure pace.
Brilliant catch, brilliant bowling, well done Rabada. Just what we needed
I’m going to have a beer to celebrate that one. Well done Rabada. Well deserved wicket for the quick man who’s been toiling hard. Piedt played his role could I detected a bit of frustration in Compton’s demeanour end of last over. Puffed his cheeks out. Sure sign.
1st time Ive seen this young Rabada – looks good. a good short rising ball to Root, and now this. Not a great shot by Compton by a long stretch, but Rabada suckered him into the shot, and deserved the wicket.
Rabada worked hard for that one – the youngster has a great work ethic. And a good head on his shoulders.
Summary then: SA’s bowlers are toiling hard and not giving up. There is fight in them which I like. The bowling unit seems to be working, albeit a new inexperienced one. Its the bloody batting unit we need to pray comes to the party. Generally, the fielding has been pretty good too. Morris’s drop in the slips was a mightly difficult chance. I don’t blame him for that one. So 7.5 out of 10 for the Proteas so far. That’s my assessment.
Next few wickets the important ones – Root, Taylor, Stokes and Bairstow like to smack the leather off the ball. If we can get a few of them out cheaply…..
@ IAAS: agree 100%. Good future prospect. Pacy too.
109 @ Tassies:Yes, I’ve been surprised by SA’s bowling on a wicket that is hugely in the batsman favour.
I really like the look of Morris – looking forward to seeing how he bats, but so far certainly seems to have a good temperament, and I was very worried about a young 20yo Rabada coming into the side with no real protection apart from Morkel, but he seems to be handling the step up so far.
If the SA bowlers are going to get wickets but frustrating the batsmen out, then so be it.
@ Tassies:
So far England are on top at tea. 3 wickets in the final session will even things up nicely.
@ IAAS:maybe but only by a short head. This is a very good surface to bat on so they have the conditions in their favour(for now). I’d like to see AB get in on this surface and show us all what we know AB can do to a cricket ball.
Rabada on a hat trick. Just what we needed
That was a big wicket, as Taylor likes to make runs quickly
asked for 3 – got the first one 🙄
Stokes is vulnerable early, so a big chance here
this guy is a classic. No question now. The poms do not enjoy his pace. Besides, he’s bowling beautifully. Then they need to deal with Morne, who also has a few tricks. Game on. Ben, try and hit these guys out the ground then.
my goodness he’s bowling a good length and the goon’s seeming nicely off the pitch. Nice. Very enjoyable.
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