Overview
- Glasgow confirmed their starting XV for the first leg at Hampden Park, with a 3pm kick-off broadcast live on Premier Sports.
- George Horne starts at scrum-half in place of Josh McKay, prompting Jamie Dobie to move to the wing and Ollie Smith to full-back after McKay’s hamstring setback.
- Head coach Franco Smith says the derby requires no extra motivation and views Hampden as a chance to showcase the club on a bigger stage.
- Injuries keep Jamie Bhatti, Euan Ferrie, Huw Jones, Johnny Matthews, Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Charlie Savala and Tavi Tuipulotu unavailable, with continuity otherwise maintained.
- Glasgow pursue a fourth straight 1872 Cup after a 28-21 comeback over Toulouse, while Jack Dempsey embraces facing Scotland teammates as “enemies” before the return leg at Murrayfield on 27 December.