male athletes
unified-rugby-tournament
Skipper Kyle Steyn is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to lead Glasgow in delivering another stellar performance at Hampden for their fans during Saturday’s crucial match against Edinburgh.
The Warriors’ usual venue, Scotstoun, accommodates under 10,000 spectators, yet moving the city rivalry contest to Hampden allows for approximately 20,000 attendees.
Last year, in their inaugural 1872 Cup clash at the country’s main football arena, Glasgow decisively overcame their adversaries, establishing an early 33-0 advantage en route to a 33-14 victory, and Steyn anticipates a similarly successful outcome this weekend.
“That match last year marked my return from injury, and my entire family had traveled here for the festive season,” the Scottish winger recounted. “It proved to be a fantastic occasion.”
“Typically, performances before larger audiences occur during away games. This is why the chance to play at Hampden is particularly unique; we get to perform for an expanded crowd, and they are all our own supporters.”
Fixture
United Rugby Championship
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Edinburgh
“I thoroughly enjoyed it last year. Understandably, there was some apprehension about relocating from Scotstoun, given its significance to us. However, we primarily concentrated on the prospects that playing at Hampden offers. Our goal is to expand on that achievement this year.”
The local rivalry will see Steyn competing directly with Edinburgh’s outside backs, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, who are his primary contenders for a position in Scotland’s starting lineup.
“I am really looking forward to it,” he stated. “We have faced each other for several years now, and it’s consistently enjoyable; we typically inspire each other to perform at our peak.”
“Even during our joint training sessions at the (Scotland) camp, the intensity of our competition helps us to elevate each other’s performance during practice. It invariably presents a difficult test – both of them are exceptional athletes. I’m simply very enthusiastic for the match.”
Graham and Van der Merwe are two of eight Edinburgh squad members reinstated to the starting formation, following head coach Sean Everitt’s decision to deploy a significantly altered team in last weekend’s 33-0 loss to Castres in the Champions Cup.
For the past three seasons, Glasgow has secured the 1872 Cup – presented to the team with the superior overall score across two matches – however, Everitt maintained that accumulating maximum United Rugby Championship points holds greater significance than winning the trophy over the upcoming fortnight.
“Our priority is points, which takes precedence over claiming superiority; boasting rights are merely an added benefit,” he stated. “This is a URC tournament, and we are well aware of how closely contested the standings can be.”
“Therefore, any points acquired on the road are precious for us. Concurrently, we are keen to win the 1872 Cup, which has a rich heritage, as is widely recognized.”
“Moreover, it would be wonderful for the players to enter the Six Nations training camp with the 1872 Cup among our team’s achievements.”
