Inter-city rivalry set to become full blown Test trial for Argentina tour

Edinburgh need to pull off their first win in the west for four-and-a-half years to keep alive their slim Magners League title hopes, while Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen is looking for a victory to act as a springboard to next season.

However, Morrison insists the players will be treating the match as a trial in the build-up to the Scots' two-Test trip to South America to face the Pumas, who knocked Frank Hadden's team out of the World Cup in France last autumn en route to a stunning third-placed finish.

Morrison, who reclaimed his international slot at the end of the Six Nations, said: "There is no getting away from the fact that national coach Frank Hadden will be looking very closely at this game with a view to picking his line-up for Buenos Aires and Rosario.

"From my point of view, I know I have to perform strongly for the Warriors – and anything beyond that is a bonus. Mentally, I am really up for the challenge and I am just hoping my form will continue and that Frank will take note.

"Of course, the bragging rights are always in the back of your mind when you square up to Edinburgh, but you are even more aware of the personal confrontations in virtually every position."

Morrison was backed up by his coach, Lineen, who said: "It will be a full blown Test trial right across the board and that means a real treat for the fans of both sides.

"They will see encounters such as Max Evans v Simon Webster, Dan Parks v Phil Godman and Graeme Morrison v Ben Cairns. And with Edinburgh's Ross Ford fit again and team-mate Dougie Hall breathing down his neck, Fergus Thomson will need to keep his performance level high in the hooking slot."

On Glasgow's situation in the league – they are currently six points behind tonight's opponents in seventh – Lineen added: "This match is about pride, while also having an eye on next season. It hurts a lot to see which teams are above us in the Magners League and the players have a point to prove.

"We are all very excited about the final few weeks of the campaign and the need to keep the momentum going until the very last minute of the last game. That will help us start the next campaign in the right frame of mind."

Scotland centre Andrew Henderson returns to the Glasgow midfield and Lineen defended his decision to leave former All Black Daryl Gibson out of his squad. He said: "This match is all about Scotland and Scottish players."

Lineen's counterpart Andy Robinson likened the contest to the English derbies he experienced against Bristol when he was with Bath as player and coach. He said: "Before our narrow victory over Glasgow at Murrayfield in December, I had not tasted the atmosphere of an all-Scottish encounter and it was interesting to see the depth of feeling among the guys. There is clearly an edge, which is great because it lifts the occasion.

"I have been in some tremendous battles through the years down south, so I recognise how special these matches can be.

"The Christmas win against Glasgow was one of the best games you could wish to see – phenomenal. I would love to see the same again – with the same result."

Lineen offered similar sentiments. "The last game against Edinburgh was a great advert for Scottish rugby," said the former Scotland centre. "Our travelling support was fantastic and I hope the same atmosphere is replicated in front of a huge Glasgow crowd at Firhill, obviously with the result going to us. Our fans could mean points for us."

Edinburgh have not won in Glasgow since December 2003 but winger Simon Webster is adamant the fixture is not a bogey match for Edinburgh.

"We don't see Glasgow away as being a jinx match. The teams will be different, the tactics will be different and it will be a different match altogether," he said.

Edinburgh blindside flanker Ally Hogg and full-back Hugo Southwell will both make their 100th appearances for the club tonight at Firhill.