Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith hailed his side's ability to handle the pressure after they secured a hard-fought bonus-point victory over fierce rivals Edinburgh at Hampden Park. The win gives the Warriors a commanding 12-point aggregate lead heading into next week's second leg of the 1872 Cup.
Patience Proves Key in Derby Arm-Wrestle
In a match that was slow to ignite, Glasgow's power and clinical edge eventually told in a dominant second-half display, where they scored three of their four tries. Smith acknowledged the shift in mentality from the previous week's stunning Champions Cup win over Toulouse, where his team were the hunters. "This week, we had everything to lose," he said, praising his players for sticking to their task against a resilient Edinburgh defence that made a staggering 253 tackles.
Everitt Proud Despite Mountain to Climb
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt expressed pride in his team's gutsy defensive effort, which saw them repel numerous Glasgow attacks, especially in a first half where they made 156 tackles. However, he conceded that a lack of accuracy with ball in hand, particularly when camped in Glasgow's 22 during the second period, proved costly. The final try conceded deepened the wound, leaving Edinburgh with a significant deficit to overturn at Murrayfield.
The attendance of 21,093 was notably down on last year's Hampden crowd of 27,538, but Smith defended the spectacle, comparing the tense derby dynamics to a Test match. He also suggested the high-stakes environment served as a valuable trial for Scottish players aiming to perform under pressure on big occasions.
With the 1872 Cup winner decided on aggregate scores, Glasgow are now firm favourites to retain the trophy for a fourth consecutive season, but both coaches are braced for another ferocious battle in the capital.
