Rory Lawson tips Glasgow to retain 1872 Cup

Rory Lawson: Table doesnt lie. Picture: SNS

The former Scotland and Edinburgh scrum-half has no doubt that his old side will head west along the M8 on Saturday buoyed by their six-try 48-0 thrashing of Treviso at the weekend and determined to bring Warriors’ record run of 13 home victories to an end.

With second-placed Glasgow demonstrating real grit to overturn a nine-point deficit against Munster to end the Limerick side’s unbeaten away record in Pro12 action, sitting some 15 points above the eighth-placed capital club, Lawson reckons more festive misery could be awaiting his former side.

But with the annual derby double-header spiced up by the sub-plot of individual battles being waged to stake a claim for Scotland Six Nations jerseys, Lawson has no doubt that a sell-out Scotstoun crowd will be in for a festive treat on Saturday.

“You look at the league table and it doesn’t lie, so you have to make Glasgow favourites. For me that also underlines that the consistency of performance from Glasgow is superior to that produced by Edinburgh this season, so far,” said Lawson.

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“Also, Glasgow’s victory over Munster took their run of home wins to 13 and that is a PRO12 record and one that is formidable for Edinburgh to come and try and break.

“I also think Glasgow have the more settled of the two squads and are a side and squad who are used to winning, know how to get the job done when they are not on top of the game, plus have that great home record behind them.

“In local derbies the form book can get thrown out the window but I just think the belief that Glasgow have in themselves is a crucial advantage for them.

“But it’s great that the two Scottish teams have come back into the Guinness Pro12, after Europe, with victories, as that was exactly what was needed.”

Lawson believes that Edinburgh’s thrashing of Treviso will send them west with renewed belief and determination to reclaim the famous old trophy for the first time since 2008-09.

Lawson said: “Probably the performance that jumps out off the page was Edinburgh’s victory over Treviso, to put almost 50 points on Treviso and nil them was fantastic.

“Obviously it is all relative, but it is good for Scottish rugby that Edinburgh have scored six tries, albeit against a poor Treviso side, and the timing is perfect for them going into the first leg of the 1872 Cup.

“In respect of Glasgow, they managed to grind it out, it wasn’t a great performance but to win these encounters with the other top teams sometimes you have to do that. So we have the perfect set-up for the 1872 Cup.”

Much has changed since Lawson’s three-year residency with Edinburgh between 2003-2006, when venues like Meadowbank Stadium, Old Anniesland and Hughenden regularly housed the annual festive dust-up between the rivals.

For his part Lawson, who was forced to quit professional rugby last August with a chronic wrist injury, can’t wait for the first instalment of the annual tale of two cities.

He said: “The atmosphere at these two games is fantastic and both sets of players will feed off that and that is nice because the players have to show a lot of commitment at this time of the year when everyone else is enjoying themselves.

“You don’t need motivation for this one, so I think it will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes, and keeps the coolest head, but it has been five years since Edinburgh won the 1872 Cup and that will make them more determined than ever to get a positive result, while if they can end Glasgow’s proud home record it will give them a huge boost, not just for the second leg, but for the rest of the season.”

He added: “Of course the Six Nations is only just around the corner and this is, in effect, a trial for Scotland jerseys and the players know that if they get the better of their opposite numbers they will do themselves a huge favour in that regard.

“The individual battles that will be waged will be fascinating. So there will be all kinds of sub-plots on Saturday and I think we will be in for a cracking game.”

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