Edinburgh team named for biggest game in Scotland

Hooker Ford has recovered from the rib sprain which ruled him out of the Heineken Cup match at London Wasps and reclaims the number two jersey.

Prop Kerr, who was won 50 caps for Scotland, will make only his second start of the campaign while Geoff Cross will face a late fitness test on an ankle knock to determine whether or not he will be named amongst the replacements.

Flanker Rennie is also added to the pack after missing the trip to Wasps to enable Edinburgh to field a pack containing seven capped internationalists.

John Houston replaces the injured Mark Robertson (calf) on the wing and last season's Newcomer of the Year is set to record his second start of the season.

Apart from the inclusion of Houston, the back-line remains intact and features six players who represented Scotland during the Autumn Tests; including captain Mike Blair, who says he is excited about playing in front of a record Edinburgh home crowd.

Blair said: "Everyone is excited about the prospect of playing in front of a record crowd for an Edinburgh game.

"Derbies always create a special atmosphere and this match should prove to be a memorable event; the perfect way to finish 2008.

"Obviously last season we didn't manage to win the 1872 Cup, so we will be determined to bring the trophy back to Edinburgh this time around."

Full-back Chris Paterson is still sidelined with a rib injury and he is joined in the treatment room by Robertson, Marc Teague (head knock) and long term casualty David Callam (hip)

Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League and first leg of the David Lloyd 1872 Cup at Murrayfield (Friday 26 December, kick off 7.30pm)

15 Hugo Southwell
14 John Houston
13 Ben Cairns
12 Nick De Luca
11 Simon Webster
10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair (captain)

1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Gavin Kerr
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Jim Hamilton
6 Scott Newlands
7 Ross Rennie
8 Allister Hogg

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross/Kyle Traynor, Matt Mustchin, Alan MacDonald, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, Jim Thompson.

A record Magners League crowd for an Edinburgh home match is expected, but tickets are still available for the Biggest Game in Scotland (call 0131 346 5180).

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early (turnstiles open at 6pm) for the Boxing Day derby clash to take advantage of the pre-match festivities around Murrayfield Stadium - featuring Murrayfield's new big screens.

Food and drink will be available throughout the stadium and Murrayfield's President's Suite in the West Stand is open to everyone (capacity restrictions apply).

Also, the first 300 adult fans in the President's Suite will be entitled to free mince pies and mulled wine.

Traffic Police have also issued some important information regarding car parking around the stadium - log onto www.glasgowwarriors.org or www.edinburghrugby.org for more game and travel information.