Considering the blinding unbeaten start to Glasgow’s season, if Edinburgh win the third deciding leg of the 1872 Cup on Saturday both teams could finish the regular season with records that read: played 21, won 15.
It’s a testament to the capital side’s renaissance under Richard Cockerill that this is even a possibility given how bleak the outlook was at the tail end of last season, and marks it as a challenge not to be taken lightly by Glasgow especially as they are nominally away now that Edinburgh once again call Murrayfield home.
There will be a sizeable group of Glasgow fans travelling, as well as many of the players familiar with the environs in general and the pitch in particular, so Edinburgh will be hoping for a decent support of their own who might see them into the playoff stages for the first time, as well as a return to to flight European rugby.
For them, there is plenty to play for, but for Glasgow perhaps nothing much other than some form going into their home semi-final after a late-season downturn in form.
Edinburgh have largely kept faith with the team that hammered the Scarlets second string a few weeks back with Bill Mata the only change.
Perhaps surprising is the absence of former Glasgow man Mark Bennett in midfield although he’s on the bench alongside another ex-Warrior, Duncan Weir.
Glasgow, meanwhile, boast a suitably starry backline with DTH Van Der Merwe set for his 100th appearance and Sam Johnson and Nick Grigg the go-to midfield after Huw Jones picked up a facial injury in his last game. Up front, skipper Ryan Wilson and the totemic Jonny Gray make welcome returns from injury.
Some of the matchups are hard to call. Zander Fagerson should have the edge over Jordan Lay but across the 6 front row players per squad, Edinburgh perhaps edge it, with honours fairly even in the second row. Both sides have dynamic back rows but perhaps Glasgow experience will edge it in the absence of both Hamish Watson and John Hardie from the black and red team.
Glasgow with Horne and Russell should get the nudge at half back but Van Der Walt and Hidalgo-Clyne have been impressive at points this season, with the latter still looking for a contract – Edinburgh should keep whatever offer they have on the table for him.
Out back, Stuart Hogg and Blair Kinghorn go head to head. Defence could actually be the key to who wins that one – who misses the fewest tackles.
How do you see it going?
Edinburgh: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Dougie Fife, 13. James Johnstone, 12. Chris Dean, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; 1. Jordan Lay, 2. Stuart McInally (capt), 3. Simon Berghan, 4. Ben Toolis, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Magnus Bradbury, 7. Jamie Ritchie, 8. Bill Mata.
Replacements: 16. Neil Cochrane, 17. Allan Dell, 18. WP Nel, 19. Lewis Carmichael, 20. Cornell du Preez, 21. Nathan Fowles, 22. Duncan Weir, 23. Mark Bennett.
Glasgow: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Tommy Seymour, 13. Nick Grigg, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. DTH van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. George Horne, 1. Alex Allan, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Tim Swinson, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Ryan Wilson (capt).
Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Siua Halanukonuka, 19. Rob Harley, 20. Chris Fusaro, 21. Henry Pyrgos, 22. Peter Horne, 23. Lee Jones.
Not available due to injury: Adam Ashe (ankle), Huw Jones (head/face), Oli Kebble (ankle), Paddy Kelly (ankle), Pat MacArthur (shoulder), Kiran McDonald (shoulder) and Leo Sarto (shoulder).
Saturday 28 April (kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Sky Sports Action.
PS: huge good luck to all the teams playing on Super Saturday, enjoy the day!