Ali Price backed as 'emotions can run high' at Glasgow return

Sean Everitt expects “calm” Ali Price to take his much-hyped return to Scotstoun in his stride as the Scotland scrum-half prepares to start for Edinburgh against parent club Glasgow in the first leg of the 1872 Cup.

After making a surprise loan switch from Warriors to the team from the Scottish capital last month in a bid to get more game time and enhance his international prospects, the 30-year-old will run out at his old stomping ground for Friday’s inter-city United Rugby Championship showdown.

Senior coach Everitt has no qualms about handing the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad member only his third start for Edinburgh against the team with which he has spent most of the past decade.

“Ali’s settled very quickly into the environment, a lot quicker than I thought he would after being at Glasgow for so many years,” said Everitt.

“He brings a wealth of experience and calmness to the group. He’s very excited about the challenge that lies ahead for him. We will definitely look to Ali to bring calmness to the group tomorrow, we know that emotions can run high.

“Having a guy like him with that knowledge of Glasgow has been extremely helpful and, with his experience of being an international, he will certainly help the team tomorrow night.”

Price’s familiarity with Glasgow has helped him get the nod over Edinburgh captain Ben Vellacott to start in the number nine jersey.

“Ben offers us something off the bench and Ali has obviously got the experience of international rugby and playing for the British and Irish Lions, and he’s comfortable playing at Scotstoun,” said Everitt. “That did play a role in the selection.”

Everitt has made only two changes to the side that started last weekend’s Challenge Cup win over Castres.

Scotland wing Darcy Graham takes over from Harry Paterson to make his first start since the World Cup after injury, while WP Nel replaces the injured Javan Sebastian at tighthead.

Argentina back Emiliano Boffelli is on the bench after being absent since the World Cup due to injury.

“I think we’ve put together the strongest team that’s available,” said Everitt. “There’s certainly no rotational changes within the group. We’ve been working towards trying to get our big-name players back into the group.

“Darcy and Emiliano have been carrying injuries for some time and it was always my plan that when it came to playing Glasgow twice we’d try and be at our best, so the plan has come together quite nicely.

“All derbies are 50/50 though. It doesn’t matter who you put out on the field – the guys need to perform at the best of their ability.

“I know that personally the guys in the Scotland squad want to get one over their team-mates and, secondly, we’ve spoken about winning silverware and this is definitely an opportunity to put a trophy in the cabinet. Hopefully we can take this opportunity with both hands.”