Glasgow Warriors face an uphill task if they are to retain the David Lloyd 1872 Cup on Friday afternoon, but head coach Sean Lineen today admitted that the Magners League is his main concern with the Warriors among five teams within seven points of top spot.

Speaking today at the team’s training base, Lineen said: “Last week’s result was a sore one, but the players have responded well, have trained well, and are really up for this Friday’s game.

“The 1872 Cup is great for Scottish bragging rights, but everyone knows that Magners League points are the main focus for both teams. Glasgow and Edinburgh are inside the top five and we [Glasgow] want to improve on last year’s finish [fifth] and a win on Friday is vital if we are to achieve that.

“It was great to get a big crowd at Murrayfield and I thank all the Glasgow fans who travelled through for their fantastic support. I hope to see them back at Firhill on Friday when the boys are keen to make amends for their performance last week.”

Following last weekend’s David Lloyd 1872 Cup defeat to Edinburgh, the Warriors have made five changes to the starting XV, one positional, for the return clash at Firhill on Friday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

In the pack, Fergus Thomson makes his second start of the season at hooker whilst Moray Low is promoted from the bench to partner Thomson and Justin Va’a in the front row.

In the back-row, James Eddie returns to first team action at blindside flanker. Kelly Brown moves to No8 as a result.

The only change in the back division sees Scotland cap, Sam Pinder, replaces Colin Gregor at scrum-half.

Glasgow Warriors team to play Edinburgh in the Magners League – and David Lloyd 1872 Cup decider – at Firhill on Friday 2 January (kick-off 3pm)

15 Bernardo Stortoni

14 Hefin O’Hare
13 Max Evans
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Thom Evans

10 Dan Parks
9 Sam Pinder

1 Justin Va’a
2 Fergus Thomson
3 Moray Low
4 Tim Barker
5 Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN
6 James Eddie
7 John Barclay
8 Kelly Brown

Substitutes
16 Dougie Hall
17 Kevin Tkachuk
18 Dan Turner
19 Richie Vernon
20 Colin Gregor
21 Andrew Henderson
22 Ruaridh Jackson

Tickets for Friday afternoon's game - priced at £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for under 18s - are available by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 800 3490. Tickets are also available online 24 hours-a-day - click here to go to the online ticket centre.

Note - Edinburgh season ticket holder can attend this match free of charge. All Edinburgh and Glasgow season ticket holders will be seated in the Jackie Husband Stand.

CLICK HERE FOR SOME ESSENTIAL MATCH-DAY INFO.