Centurions Hogg and Southwell to battle Warriors

First team captain Hogg, 25, and full-back Southwell, 27, have both clocked up 99 appearances in the black and red of Edinburgh and are poised to reach a career milestone at the weekend.

After joining Edinburgh from Stirling County in June 2002, Hogg has established himself as an integral part of the back row while Southwell has been a first team regular since moving to the Scottish capital from Worcester in September 2003.

Hogg admits marking the career milestone by lifting the 1872 Challenge Cup at Firhill Arena would make the achievement even more memorable.

Hogg said: "The fact it will be my 100th appearance for Edinburgh adds a bit more to the game for me personally. It would be great to be able to celebrate another memorable achievement on the night by winning the 1872 Challenge Cup.

"I'm really pleased to get to the 100-mark for Edinburgh and it is nice that Shuggy (Hugo Southwell) has got there at the same time, so I can experience that with someone else.

"I've played all my professional rugby at Edinburgh and I am very proud to now captain the side.

"It would be perfect to get the double over Glasgow and to be able to bring the Cup back to Edinburgh, but everyone realises it will be a tough challenge."

Former Sussex cricketer Southwell revealed he has hit some centuries during his sporting career but counts recording a ton of appearances for Edinburgh as his greatest achievement to date.

Southwell said: "I got quite a few centuries as a cricketer, but this is a different achievement that I'm very proud of.

"I'm just looking to make it a special night for Edinburgh against Glasgow and helping our club get as high up the league as possible.

"Since I joined Edinburgh it has been a special time. I didn't expect to be playing international rugby at the end of my first year, but that was something I achieved.

"I've got 42 caps for Scotland now and played 100 times for Edinburgh. In a five year span, I'm pretty pleased with how everything has worked out and now I want to go on to bigger and better things."

Meanwhile, Scotland hooker Ross Ford resumes competitive action after a month-long lay-off with an ankle injury, Ross Rennie returns at openside flanker after recovering from a knee injury and Roland Reid has overcome a hamstring problem to be selected on the wing.

On the injury front, Nick De Luca is ruled out with an ankle injury while Edinburgh are still without prop Allan Jacobsen (groin) and Alan MacDonald (fractured cheekbone).

Edinburgh Rugby Club squad to play Glasgow Warriors in the 1872 Challenge Cup at Firhill Arena (Friday 11 April, kick-off 8pm)
15 Hugo Southwell

14 Simon Webster
13 Ben Cairns
12 John Houston
11 Roland Reid

10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair

1 Gavin Kerr
2 Ross Ford
3 Craig Smith
4 Matt Mustchin
5 Ben Gissing
6 Allister Hogg (captain)
7 Ross Rennie
8 David Callam

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Augusto Allori, Craig Hamilton, Simon Cross, Ben Meyer, David Blair, Calum MacRae.