The countdown to the biggest event in the Scottish domestic rugby calendar is well and truly on, after it was today confirmed that Greaves Sports will again be the title sponsor of the 1872 Cup derbies between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.
The now-traditional festive double-header, which sees the Scottish professional teams clash for vital Magners League points as well as local bragging rights, is now just a fortnight away, with the first round of combat taking place at Firhill on Monday 27 December (kick-off 5.35pm) and the rematch scheduled for Murrayfield on Sunday 2 January 2011 (kick-off 5.35pm).
At a launch in Greaves Sports’ Gordon Street branch in Glasgow this afternoon, it was revealed that the sides will once again be competing for the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup, with Scottish Rugby’s official retail partner sponsoring the oldest continuous fixture in world rugby for a second successive year.
Edinburgh captain Roddy Grant and Glasgow Warriors skipper Al Kellock were on hand to celebrate the confirmation of Greaves’ continued involvement and expressed their excitement at the forthcoming inter-city battles.
Grant confirmed: “It’s great news that Greaves are on board again, and just being at the launch today has really got the anticipation flowing.
“The games are just around the corner now, and as usual it will be a huge week for everyone in Scottish rugby. The players on both sides really look forward to these matches, and the intensity definitely goes up a notch when local pride is at stake.
“Both ourselves and Glasgow have big Heineken Cup games at the weekend [at home to Castres and away to Toulouse respectively], and then we’ll roll straight into the derbies. It’s going to be a massively exciting couple of weeks; exactly the sort of challenge you want to be involved in as a player.
”From an Edinburgh point of view, we’re desperate to perform a lot better than last year and get our hands back on the trophy.”
It was Kellock who had the pleasure of lifting the much-prized silverware last time out after Glasgow won both legs of the season 2009/10 Greaves Sports 1872 Cup. The first fixture at Firhill saw Sean Lineen’s men triumph 25-12, while the Warriors claimed their first victory in the capital for ten years the following weekend (22-12), thanks to scores from back-three men Bernardo Stortoni and DTH van der Merwe and 12 points from the boot of Scotland stand-off Dan Parks.
Kellock today expressed his determination to ensure a repeat scenario this time out. The lock forward said: “The derbies are always great games to be part of, especially when you win. We were really happy with the performances we delivered in both of last year’s matches, and we’ll be going all out to give our supporters another couple of victories later this month.
“The Greaves Sports 1872 Cup is a real showpiece for Scottish rugby and I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t sampled the rivalry and atmosphere before to get themselves along to Firhill and Murrayfield for what should be two fantastic occasions.”
Last year’s games saw the biggest crowds of the season at both venues. Supporters are being encouraged to book early for this season’s clashes, with adult tickets priced £15 until 17 December.
Tickets can be purchased online (www.edinburghrugby.org and www.glasgowwarriors.org), by telephone (0131 346 5180 and 0844 800 3490), and in person at the Murrayfield Ticket Centre and the Greaves Sports branches at 23/25 Gordon Street and 80/82 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.
Stephen McCranor, Greaves Sports’ director of communications, enthused about the company’s commitment to the festive derbies and encouraged supporters based in the west to exploit the convenience of buying their tickets in-store.
He said: “We at Greaves are delighted to be associated with the 1872 Cup and look forward to two great games. This annual double-header is growing in popularity every year, and does a lot for the profile of the pro-game in Scotland.
“Tickets are selling well in our stores, and we look forward to helping even more supporters secure their seats over the next fortnight.”
Craig Docherty and Kenny Baillie, the chief executives of Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors respectively, were today united in their enthusiasm both at Greaves Sports’ involvement and the prospect of two more memorable games.
Docherty said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome back Greaves Sports for an event that has really captured the public’s imagination in recent years and that has the potential to get even bigger.
“Everyone at Edinburgh is thoroughly looking forward to the games and the chance to put last year right. Announcing the good news about Greaves today has really go the ball rolling on what’s shaping up to be a very exciting period.”
Baillie said: “Everyone at Glasgow Warriors welcomes the confirmation that Greaves Sports are once again the title sponsor of the 1872 Cup.
“Glasgow Warriors have a long-standing relationship with Greaves Sports, and their support of the country’s biggest rugby fixtures, the 1872 Cup, once again demonstrates the commitment they have to rugby in Glasgow and across Scotland.”
