EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

COLIN RENTON
EDINBURGH scrum-half Mike Blair is urging his team-mates to leave aside personal rivalries for international places when they line up for Friday's Magners League clash with Glasgow at Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm).

Insisting that earning league points are more important than outperforming fellow contenders for places in the Scotland squad, Blair said: "I think it's important not to approach this match in a different way to any others in the league.

"It's maybe something we've done in the past – we've seen these games against Glasgow and the Borders as being massive games, that are more important than anything else.

"But it's important to focus on it as another game. If you put too much pressure on yourself then you might not play as well.

"It's important to put everything into winning that Magners League game as opposed to saying we must beat Glasgow."

Blair believes that ascribing too much importance to the match in the past has damaged the quality of the spectacle and is confident that this edition of the world's oldest inter-city fixture will offer top-class entertainment.

"Sometimes these games have been a bit scrappy but I think the brand of rugby both teams are trying to play will mean that it will be a very exciting game this time."

While he believes it is important to steer clear of the tendency to regard festive-season encounters as trials for the forthcoming Six Nations, Blair expects the intensity of the clash to remain high.

"Obviously we do know them well and we know their strengths and weaknesses and, likewise, they know that about Edinburgh. But we've got a lot of new guys playing for Edinburgh this year and a lot of guys who aren't involved in the national set up, who'll add something a little bit different. It's these guys who are likely to have a real impact on the game.

"There is an aspect that plays on your mind about it being a trial and I'm sure these games are very important for Frank Hadden to watch to monitor how guys are playing.

"But national selection is something that takes place over the whole season and not just in one off games. Although there is an opportunity to see players going head to head, both teams will want to keep that out of their minds and concentrate on playing some good rugby."

Underlining his expectations for a flowing encounter, Blair points to the current form of both sides and the style of rugby the respective coaches, Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen, are endeavouring to play.

"Both clubs are going reasonably well with Glasgow coming off the back of a very good away performance against Biarritz and a narrow win over them in the home match, and ourselves having a good win against Leinster at home," he added.

And reiterating the view that the primary objective on the day should be to garner a victory that could launch a bid for the Magners League title, he stated: "There is a lot to play for. We are both in the middle of the table at the moment and whoever wins this one gets a good boost up the league."

The league points will not be the only prize up for grabs. The sides will also be competing for the 1872 Challenge Cup – a trophy that was originally contested in a 20-a-side match between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Edinburgh won the inaugural contest at Burnbank, the home of Glasgow Accies, 135 years ago with a drop goal from TR Marshall of Edinburgh Accies separating the sides.

Blair, who is also a product of that club, insists that the chance to repeat that outcome and take temporary ownership of the trophy will add spice to the contest.

He added: "It's nice to have something to play for. It shows there is a real history behind the fixture and it's something we should be proud of.

The 27-year old is confident that the chance to witness two in-form sides going head to head will have added sufficiently to the lure of the contest to encourage the public to leave the festive celebrations behind and enjoy the encounter.

"We hope that a big crowd will come along to watch us and with it being Christmas there is an opportunity to get some more fans down to watch us. We're hoping to get through the 5000 barrier and if Glasgow bring some supporters with them as well, there will be a really good atmosphere about the game."

The full article contains 769 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

This article was originally posted on 27-Dec-2007, 12:30 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 27-Dec-2007, 12:31.