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:
179 @ Tassies: I did – I used to be the winemaker at Mont Rochelle for many years and saw V & L grow from a seed. They make some very good wines.
@ Just For Kicks: good for you guys. My ‘kids’ are a little older and all three have decided to stay. For now. I’m thinking about moving to Hong Kong for a spell but wont sell up and leave permanently. Cape Town will always be home I suspect.
@ Tassies:If you like their Chardonnay, you must try the Viognier. Another stunner.
@ Tassies:
Hi Tassies all the best to you and yours too! Enjoy the sunshine in the fairest Cape pity you not at Newlands only been there once great place. Thanks for your support here much appreciated.
Tassies wrote:
As with you, we’ve kept out options open with the farm, but as the kids are younger, education was our overriding decision, and as they come up to university age, and seeing the kak at SA universities at the moment, feel the move was justified. They will also have the choice of moving back, although I doubt they will now. My son is determined to join the RAF
Exactly what I thought may happen with the new ball. Just a slight edge, and the ball can go miles.
Although the pitch shouldn’t have been doing anything, with the old ball, somehow there was always a bit of doubt, and the runs were kept in check. Something was always happening, and all the catches behind the stumps were testament to that. We’re back to the first few overs now, only difference is, the batsmen have their eye in. Only a rash shot a la Cook, will take a wicket now, I fear
The bowling needs to be spot on just to stop the runs and to wait for the new ball to get a bit softer and start playing up again, because this is just a gimme session
Morris getting some serious tap now.
Amla has missed a couple of tricks – why is Morkel not bowling with the new ball?
@ Just For Kicks: well I cannot claim to be knowledgeable on Mont Rochelle and your wines. I’ve ridden past it on the way to the dam and the surrounding trails. Beautiful. Quite a lifestyle change you were prepared to make. BTW wine is a hobby of mine which is not to suggest that I would be in your league. I plan to export wine to Hong Kong and we’re currently doing our homework. Will be in HK again in April.
Stokes and Bairstow starting to get on top of the SA bowlers now.
@ Just For Kicks: I popped the cork on a Viognier last night. Was a gift from a friend whose family produce this on their farm just outside Somerset West. Brand = Chennels Family Wines. It was delicious.
I’ll try V en L’s. Love the varietal.
190 @ Tassies:Sounds great – if you ever need some wine education stuff (especially WSET) over there, give me a shout, would love a trip to Honk Kong!!!. Just joking, but its what I do over here in Glasgow. I started a wine school (glasgowwineschool.com) and love talking about it as I can no longer be involved in making it.
Tassies wrote:
Its hard to find good Viogner in SA, so glad to hear you had another good one. Another that is a must try is Lismore’s (Greyton) – especially if you like wood. I think its the best in SA.
@ Just For Kicks: of course you’re right. When I was playing cricket and given the new ball, if I strayed, I knew it was going to the boundary like a rocket. It was great to hold the new ball but it could be a self-inflicted downer as an opening bowler.
Since the new ball, been going at better than a run a ball. SA letting a good day get away from them.
@ Just For Kicks: mine have done and dusted the uni story. UCT remains a good school but things are starting to slip(like the cricket). Good call on your part.
@ Just For Kicks: exactly right
this is like taking candy from babies
Tassies wrote:
It just seemed a strange decision considering what the old ball was doing. I know its only Day 1, but we were frustrating the poms into wickets, not taking them through exceptional bowling, so it seemed logical to carry on with the old ball a bit longer. I don’t think Hash reads the game very well. He has bowled Morne at the wrong times as well.
@ Just For Kicks: I’ve ridden up to Lismore’s, years ago. Didn’t try their wine though. It was too early in the day and I had no clue what they were doing. I’ll definitely try their wines. I’ll ask my partner(Mike D – Wine C) about their wine.
we’re getting hammered now. Lost the plot a bit I’d say. Pity.
@ Just For Kicks: Hash’s captaincy is the primary reason why SA are performing so badly. Nice guy who hasn’t a clue what he’s doing. Very sad. Nama is going to clobber me for being an apparent racist but that’s the way I read it. AB needs to be appointed skipper. The sooner the better for everyone, including Amla.
@ Tassies: Is that Mike Bampfield-Duggan? Lovely guy – have you been partners for a long time? Was good mates with Murray Giggins for a long time before moving back to UK
@ Just For Kicks: now that’s very interesting. I make a note.
Hashim Amla just don’t have a clue does he,I mean captaincy that is???Hands on the hips,absolutely no presence on the field,he takes the new ball when his best bowler Morkel either can’t or won’t bowl for whatever the reason…injury I take it…so why take the new ball???
Morris…newbie or not…he still should know better than bowling stuff like that…
Poor miss by Goode for Saracens just before half time but maybe the wind took it off course. Halftime Sarries 7/6 Leicester could have been 13/6 as barely a few minutes earlier Hodgson missed a penalty from the other side of the field but a bit further out
provincefan wrote:
Morne was knackered, he’d been bowling with the old ball right up until the new ball was taken. No way he could have bowled effectively with the new ball. He shouldn’t have been bowling just prior to the taking of the new ball. And in the same vein, he should have been bowling directly after lunch. Very poor captaincy, on both parts, I am afraid.
I thought 300 at the end of Day 1 would be a good total, at tea, I thought SA were doing very well to keep them away from that score. Then came the new ball. From a good start, it has all been undone, and England finish the day well on top.
SA have a lot to do tomorrow.
@ Just For Kicks: the very same. And no. Not for a long time. He’s a friend of a friend. We needed an expert on our team and he found our concept attractive. Yes. He is a lovely guy. And hugely knowledgeable. HK is massively overtraded (3500+ wine importers) but SA has done a crap job thus far. I’ve been visiting HK annually since 2005 and made an observation. We have an unique idea which cannot be easily copied. Lets see. We think we know what we’re doing.
Right, thats me for the day – off partying with the neighbours – music, karaoke, disco. My idea of hell, but must be done to keep in your mates, I suppose. Worst of it is, that there won’t be any decent beer or wine!
See you all for Day 2
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