'Night and day' - Glasgow shower Edinburgh with praise as Franco Smith reveals Hampden wish

Smith’s team eventually won 24-12 and will be big favourites to retain the trophy when the sides meet again at Murrayfield next Saturday but they were pushed all the way by Sean Everitt’s visitors.

“Edinburgh applied themselves very well, they were very physical and didn't miss a tackle,” said Smith, the Glasgow head coach. “They made 253 tackles I think, 156 before half-time, which was a big number. That is a huge compliment to their heart and the belief that they have in the programme there and the coaches. They obviously believe in what Sean Everitt is trying to do there, so I think they can be proud of the way they stopped us.

“We had 18 entries into the 22, and it was arguably our lowest conversion rate. I thought Edinburgh stopped us when they held us up over the line and they also scored the maul try, which we don't often allow, so I want to compliment them, and I know they're going to be tough next week there. From our side, we'll have to step up again.”

While Glasgow enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession in the first half, they led only 7-5 at the interval, with Matt Fagerson and Dylan Richardson exchanging tries. Further scores after the break from Rory Darge, Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen took the game away from Edinburgh who countered through Grant Gilchrist.

Smith said Edinburgh’s performance was “night and day” to what they produced last year at Hampden when Glasgow blew them away, racing into a 33-0 lead before eventually winning 33-14.

“They slowed our breakdowns down,” said Smith. “These guys came with their hearts on their sleeves. If I compare it with their approach last year, it's night and day. We still have the same result, five points, but we had to work way harder for it this time.”

In the last two years, Glasgow have followed up home wins in the 1872 Cup with defeats at Murrayfield in the second leg and Smith knows another tough assignment awaits them on Saturday.

“I don't think Edinburgh will open the gate, so it will be important for us to balance this week the work, lessons learned and freshness.”

Smith said he enjoyed the Hampden experience. It was the second time the Warriors had hosted Edinburgh at the football stadium and although the attendance was down on last year - 21,093 compared to 27,538 - the coach felt it was a better atmosphere.

“For me it felt like a much better event,” he said. “We'll hear the feedback I'm sure, but we don't play in front of a Glasgow support of that magnitude, and the comments in the changing room were so positive. People were saying they wish we could play here every week, not from a field perspective, but with the atmosphere.”

Glasgow could return here later in the season if they reach the URC play-offs as their Scotstoun home is likely to be out of bounds by then due to it being made ready for the Commonwealth Games when it will host the athletics.

“I would love to return here in the spring,” said Smith.