1872 Cup verdict: Glasgow overpower outstanding Edinburgh defence as Hampden experience branded 'awesome'

They struggled to break Edinburgh down in the first half and only two points separated the sides at the interval but the Warriors scored three tries after the break to run out 24-12 winners.

In truth, the game never really caught fire and was the sort of interfamily squabble that is all too common at this time of year. Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt had spoken optimistically pre-match of “little brothers beating up big brothers” and his side certainly stood up to the supposedly senior sibling. But Glasgow ultimately had too much power and the result sets them up nicely for next Saturday’s return match at Murrayfield as they look to win the 1872 Cup for the fourth year running.

It was the second year of the Hampden experiment and numbers were down on 2024 but the turnout justified the switch. The crowd of 21,093 meant that 6,445 fewer were in attendance but it was still three times as many as would have been at Scotstoun.

Rory Darge, one of the four Glasgow try-scorers, certainly enjoyed playing at the home of Scottish football. “I missed playing at Hampden last year so to experience it for the first time was awesome,” said the wing forward. “I thought Edinburgh were so physical today. It was a typical derby match and we’re delighted to get the win.

“Fair play to them, they made us work really, really hard. I think there were three held up over the line in the first half and I don’t know if that was a tactic of theirs but it was really outstanding defence from them, so to finally get over the line again in the second half was a credit to the boys.”

Matt Fagerson scored Glasgow’s only try of the first half but Dylan Richardson kept Edinburgh in touch with one of his own. Darge’s try pushed Glasgow further ahead early in the second period and further scores from Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen - inbetween a counter from Grant Gilchrist - secured the bonus point for the Warriors.

“We’ve learned over the last few years that every game is massive in terms of league points and when it comes to the end of the season you look back and rue the ones you missed out on so to get the five points today is massive,” added Darge.

Glasgow blew Edinburgh away at Hampden this time last year but this game was far closer. The first half was all about Edinburgh’s defiant defence. Glasgow dominated territory and possession but all they had to show for it was Matt Fagerson’s 10th-minute try.

It looked as if that might open the floodgates but it never happened because Edinburgh were resolute. Their maul defence defused one of Glasgow’s most potent weapons, and on three occasions they held up Warriors players over the line, with Darge, Jack Dempsey and Max Williamson all denied in the opening 40.

Against the run of play, Edinburgh scored a try of their own and, just to rub salt in the Glasgow wounds, they did it from a lineout maul. Liam McConnell took the catch before smuggling it to Richardson who was driven over.

Glasgow’s opening try was reward for their persistence. Having kicked a couple of penalties to the corner they eventually scored after a series of pick-and-goes. Matt Fagerson had sparked the initial attack with a clever offload to Scott Cummings and, after several of his team-mates had been stopped short, it was the flanker who showed good footwork to score. Adam Hastings converted but they were to be Glasgow’s last points of the half.

But Edinburgh’s huge tackle count in the first half was bound to take its toll and two Warriors tries in a four-minute spell after the interval turned the game firmly in the home side’s favour.

Dominant Glasgow kept battering at the door and eventually found a gap when Matt Fagerson whipped the ball out to Darge who squeezed past Liam McConnell to score. The try seemed to free up the home side. Sione Tuipulotu embarked on a brilliant run from his own 22 and Hastings’ probing kick found Dobie but the scrum-half was tackled into touch by Ben Vellacott.

Glasgow’s third try followed soon after, with Hiddleston at the end of a lineout drive. That increased the Warriors lead to 19-5 and Edinburgh enjoyed their best moments soon after. They finally managed to make some territorial inroads but they struggled to create any real chances. Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe were isolated figures on the periphery and the latter limped off in the 67th minute with a hip issue.

It was a match for the forwards and Edinburgh did eventually find a way through in the 72nd minute when Gilchrist went low after a good carry by McConnell. Ross Thompson’s conversion reduced Glasgow’s lead to 19-12 and there seemed to be a glimmer of hope for Edinburgh.

The try was merited on the balance of play but it seemed to spark a late surge from Glasgow. Dobie looked to have scored in the corner but was brilliantly tackled by Wes Goosen who dislodged the ball from the winger’s grasp. The Warriors weren’t to be denied, however, and replacement hooker Stephen scored their final try following a lineout.

Edinburgh’s Callum Hunter-Hill was yellow-carded in the aftermath for diving onto Stephen after he had touched down.

Scorers: Glasgow Warriors: Tries: M Fagerson, Darge, Hiddleston, Stephen. Cons: Hastings 2. Edinburgh: Try: Richardson.

Yellow card: C Hunter-Hill (Edinburgh, 77min).

Glasgow Warriors: O Smith; K Steyn, S McDowall, S Tuipulotu (D Lancaster 78), J Dobie; A Hastings, G Horne (B Afshar 78); N McBeth (R Sutherland 61), G Hiddleston (S Stephen 61), Z Fagerson (S Talakai 61), M Williamson (G Brown 45), S Cummings, M Fagerson (A Craig 61), R Darge, J Dempsey (A Dempsey 76).

Edinburgh: W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, P O’Conor (M Davidson 53), D van der Merwe (R Thompson 67); C Scott, B Vellacott (C McAlpine 76); P Schoeman (B Venter 55), E Ashman (H Morris 53), O Blyth-Lafferty (P Hill h-t), G Young (C Hunter-Hill 64), G Gilchrist, L McConnell, D Richardson (F Douglas 67), M Bradbury.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU).

Attendance: 21,093.