Three of the four Scotsmen from this summer’s British & Irish Lions squad will line up for Glasgow Warriors in the Boxing Day derby with Edinburgh Rugby, with Stuart Hogg warning they will be going all out for bragging rights.
Hogg was the youngest member of Warren Gatland’s Lions squad which emerged victorious from their three-Test series against the Qantas Wallabies.
He was joined by fellow Warriors Sean Maitland and Ryan Grant, while Castres’ Richie Gray made up the quartet of Scottish representatives down under.
But it is the trio of Hogg, Maitland and Grant who will prepare to go into battle again together as they face Edinburgh in the Pro12.
Grant, a late call up to the Lions squad after Gethin Jenkins was ruled out with injury, returns at loose-head while Maitland, who made five appearances for the Lions but did not play in any of the three tests, starts at full back.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend has also picked Hogg to start at outside centre and the Scottish international knows exactly how important victory is.
“We are in good shape for the biggest fixture of the season – and we are massively looking forward to it,” Hogg told the Scottish Daily Record.
“These games decide who has the bragging rights for virtually a whole year.
“It is always a big deal to play against Edinburgh. Any friendships with their Scotland guys go right out of the window.
“I might be from Hawick – but I am a Glasgow boy now. I don’t feel any torn loyalties. Everyone hates Edinburgh. I don’t even watch them on the telly.”
