Following Scotland’s Autumn Tests, the Magners League programme resumes this weekend with second-placed Edinburgh travelling to Scarlets (Friday 4 December, kick off 7.05pm, live on BBC Wales) and Warriors – currently in third spot – heading across to face Ulster on the same night (kick off 8pm).

Then both teams are involved in a series of high-profile blockbuster clashes – starting with the Heineken Cup’s ‘Scotland versus the West Country’ double header where Glasgow face back-to-back Pool matches against Gloucester while Edinburgh face Bath in successive weekends.

Straight after the European ties, the eagerly awaited 1872 Cup derbies are set to take place at Firhill (Sunday 27 December, kick off 3.05pm, live on STV) and then at Murrayfield (Saturday 2 January, kick off 3.05pm, live on STV) – events that Moffat says he is keenly anticipating.

Moffat said: “We are looking forward to welcoming back the players for what will be a really big month for Edinburgh.

“In a lot of ways, this month will decide our season – both in the Heineken Cup and the Magners League.

“Then we’ve got the two derbies against Glasgow, which, over the past few years, has captured the imagination of the fans.

“It would be really pleasing to see another big crowd at both games this season because it does make a difference.

“Those games are two important matches for us because we want to keep the trophy, but also because we want to generate some momentum heading into the New Year.”

Lineen echoed those sentiments and forecasted a memorable few weeks for the Warriors.

Lineen said: “December is going to be huge. We’ve got games in the Heineken Cup and the Magners League, all building towards two massive 1872 Cup derbies.

“I’m proud of the way the Glasgow players have carried themselves throughout the Autumn Tests.

“The key for us is to have our Scotland players back playing for Glasgow in the way they have performed for their country over the past three weeks. They need to play like international players when they pull on a Glasgow jersey.”

Focusing on the 1872 Cup derbies, Lineen expects a couple of enthralling matches with players challenging for spots in Andy Robinson’s Scotland squad ahead of the start of the RBS 6 Nations.

He added: “To have the first game at home gives the Glasgow public an opportunity to really get behind the team and for our supporters to lay a marker down in advance of the return leg at Murrayfield the following week.

“Historically, the 1872 Cup has doubled-up as a Scotland trial. This year is no exception with some mouth watering head-to-heads; there’s the front row with young Jon Welsh and Moray Low up against Allan Jacobsen and Geoff Cross as well as the more experienced heads like Dougie Hall versus Ross Ford.”

Moffat believes that one of Edinburgh’s main objectives is to kick their Firhill hoodoo into touch because the Capital team have yet to win at the Warriors’ home ground.

He said: “The first game is at Glasgow and we don’t have a good record against them away from home – that is something that we want to put right.”

Supporters who attended the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests are reminded to take advantage of the Magners League Ticket Offer; for more information please visit www.scottishrugby.org

Tickets for both 1872 Cup derby matches cost £15 for adults, £10 for concessions (students and senior citizens) and £5 for juniors (under-18s). Tickets can be bought in advance via the hotline on 0844 800 3490 (for the Glasgow leg) or on 0131 346 5180 (for the Edinburgh leg); or in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre (situated off Roseburn Street, open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).