For Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn, lifting the 1872 Cup is now a cherished New Year ritual. His team secured the historic Scottish derby trophy for the fourth season in a row with a commanding 21-3 victory over Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday.
A Centurion's Special Celebration
The latest triumph held extra significance for Steyn, marking his 100th appearance for the club. The 31-year-old Scotland international led his side to victory and had the honour of hoisting the cup, with his father Rory flying in from South Africa to witness the milestone.
"Yeah, it was really special," Steyn admitted. "I've had some lengthy spells on the sidelines, so you kind of wonder if you're ever going to get there. But it was really special to be able to do it here and have my family present." He also joked about his father's dedication, adding, "My mum jokes about the fact that I've got no inheritance left because my Dad has spent it all on flights. But it's been worth it."
Warriors Dominate as Edinburgh Falter
On the pitch, Glasgow's superiority was clear. Jamie Dobie, showcasing his versatility from scrum-half, was the standout performer with two well-taken tries. George Horne, the club's all-time leading try-scorer, added another to spark the second half into life.
The victory gave Glasgow an aggregate winning margin of 30 points across the two-legged tie, highlighting a gulf in class against an Edinburgh side that offered little threat. The capital club's performance was labelled "feeble" and "utterly dreadful," with serious questions now surrounding the future of head coach Sean Everitt, whose contract expires at the season's end.
Six Nations Headaches and Squad Depth
The form of Dobie, in particular, presents a welcome selection dilemma for Scotland coach Gregor Townsend ahead of the Six Nations. His pace and finishing prowess could force him into the national reckoning. Steyn, meanwhile, continues to solidify his claim as a more complete option than the out-of-favour Duhan van der Merwe.
Reflecting on a tough period of four straight wins against Sale, Toulouse, and Edinburgh, Steyn praised his squad's resilience. "Franco's really good at bringing in fresh energy," he said, referring to head coach Franco Smith. "I back our squad to the hilt and I know that whoever comes in is going to bring a lot of energy and get the job done for us."
Glasgow now turn their attention to the URC, facing Zebre next weekend before crucial Champions Cup clashes with Clermont and Saracens.
