This weekend will see Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors collide, with the 1872 Cup on the line at Murrayfield. The Scottish derby is set to ignite some early New Years’ fireworks, with the United Rugby Championship hosting the latest chapter of this storied rivalry.
Many icons of Scotland’s past and present have played in the 1872 Cup, with the nation’s two professional sides more often having an equal share of the international talents. So, with the Edinburgh v Glasgow clash coming in over the horizon, we had a go at piecing together an Ultimate XV of the top players from each club’s decorated history.
Now, you may be surprised with some omissions on this list, as we are considering each players club contributions above all other accolades. Despite the likes of Finn Russell being arguably Scotland’s finest fly half, the Bath halfback has spent considerable periods of his career outside of Glasgow, after spells in France and more recently lately the Premiership. So Russell, like many other top Scottish internationals, miss out on a spot in our XV.
It’s club over everything in this Ultimate XV, and here are our picks for a combined Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors side.
BACK THREE
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow: 2010-2019)
14. Chris Paterson (Glasgow: 1998 / Edinburgh: 1999-2007 / 2008-2012)
11. Tim Visser (Edinburgh: 2010 – 2015)
We kick off this recount of Scotland greats, with the latest generational talent to hang up the boots. Stuart Hogg called time on his rugby career ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and wrapped up his playing days with Exeter Chiefs. Prior to his move to Devon, Hogg spent nine years with Glasgow Warriors, and won the 2014/15 Pro12 title with the club. Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer with 25 test match tries, Hogg is the first name on this list of Glasgow and Edinburgh legends.
Slotting in on the right wing is another Scotland record holder, as Chris Paterson has the honour of being the nation’s leading points scorer. Paterson’s versatility to play on the wing, fullback and even fly half rarely ever seeing him out of the Edinburgh side. Despite making his debut for Glasgow in 1998, Paterson spent the celebrated majority of his club career at Edinburgh, where he won he Scottish Championship in his first season. He is the club’s all time leading points scorer, as he racked up a grand total of 783 points for the Scottish capital side.
Coming in on the left wing is Tim Visser, who holds the tremendous accolade of being Edinburgh’s all-time top try scorer. Visser’s stunning efforts saw him score 60 tries across just five seasons at the club, in what goes down amongst the best strike rates of the early 2010s. Averaging a scintillating 12 tries per season, the ‘Flying Dutchman’ gained prominence amongst the top European clubs, and led Edinburgh to EPCR Challenge Cup runners-up medals ahead of his departure. After half a decade in Edinburgh, Visser moved to London where he joined Harlequins, before retiring in 2019.