Glasgow Warriors 24-12 Edinburgh Rugby
Scotstoun Stadium – Saturday
Glasgow Warriors took a decisive first step toward reclaiming Scottish bragging rights with a commanding 24-12 derby victory over Edinburgh Rugby in the opening leg of the 1872 Cup at a packed and pulsating Scotstoun Stadium. Driven on by a typically vocal home support, the Warriors produced a performance built on physical edge, smart game management and second-half composure that places them firmly in the driving seat ahead of next weekend’s return fixture in Edinburgh.
The contest opened with all the energy and needle expected of Scotland’s fiercest rugby rivalry. Glasgow settled first, playing with aggression at the breakdown and accuracy in contact. Their early reward came when Matt Fagerson powered over from close range, finishing off a sustained spell of pressure that showcased the Warriors’ early superiority up front. The conversion gave the hosts a 7–0 platform – and the tempo of the stadium lifted in response.
Edinburgh, though, were never going to fold quietly. Sean Everitt’s side worked their way back into the match with some well-structured attacking shape, and it paid off when Dylan Richardson finished a crisp lineout move on the edge of the 22. Although the conversion was missed, the try helped settle Edinburgh’s nerves and disrupted Glasgow’s rhythm, leading to a fiercely contested spell before halftime where both sides traded big collisions and tactical kicks. The break arrived at 7–5, with the match finely poised.
If the first half was balanced, the second belonged to Glasgow. With their pack growing in authority and their ball carriers punching holes, the Warriors took control of both territory and tempo. Co-captain Rory Darge’s try – a close-range burst through scrambling defenders — pushed Glasgow further ahead, and it felt significant. Edinburgh survived further waves of pressure, but the third home try arrived soon after when hooker Gregor Hiddleston was driven over from a rolling maul that Edinburgh simply could not repel. The energy inside Scotstoun surged again.
To their credit, Edinburgh refused to concede the storyline. They stayed in the fight and were rewarded when Grant Gilchrist forced his way over the line, narrowing the margin and momentarily swinging momentum back towards the visitors. But with the game opening up and space beginning to appear, Glasgow struck a decisive late blow. Replacement forward Seb Stephen crashed over in the dying minutes, securing the bonus point and restoring a 12-point cushion that could prove crucial in the second leg.
For Glasgow, the victory was about far more than the scoreboard. Their pack carried with bite and intent; their defensive line speed forced Edinburgh into rushed decisions; and their kicking game kept pressure pinned where they wanted it. The depth of their bench made a noticeable impact too, adding fresh legs and fresh impetus just as Edinburgh began to tire.
Edinburgh’s effort could not be questioned – their scramble defence and set-piece resilience kept them competitive – but their attacking threat lacked consistency. While individual moments sparked, they struggled to turn possession into genuine scoring danger, and they will need to find greater fluency and ambition if they hope to overturn the deficit at Murrayfield.
As the final whistle sounded, Scotstoun celebrated a famous win, and Glasgow left the field knowing their work is only half done. The second leg promises to be fiery, emotional and fiercely contested, with Edinburgh expected to come out with greater urgency and a home crowd behind them. For Glasgow, it’s an opportunity to finish the job; for Edinburgh, a chance to rewrite the narrative in front of their own faithful.