Why Edinburgh Rugby are now just like Glasgow Warriors

While he stopped short of accusing them of identity theft, Glasgow Warriors attack coach Nigel Carolan believes Edinburgh are a lot closer in style to his own team than they used to be and thinks it will make for a cracking game when the sides meet at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.

Glasgow were traditionally the more adventurous of the Scottish pro teams, playing with an elan which contrasted with Edinburgh’s more attritional style under Richard Cockerill.

The arrival of Mike Blair to replace Cockerill last summer and the club’s switch to an artificial surface at their new stadium have helped unshackle them.

Carolan is adamant that Glasgow won’t compromise their principles this weekend but he hinted that they might be a little more selective in where they choose to attack.

“This year it’s a whole new surprise package with Edinburgh,” said the coach. “The brand of football they’re playing is quite exciting and they’ve reaped the rewards from that.

“It’s quite similar to our own so you’ve got two teams going head to head with open rugby and being willing to have a go. From a neutral perspective it should be exciting.

“In terms of picking holes in them, it’s about which team keeps their shape longest. Edinburgh are quite potent on the transition. Teams who have turned the ball over to them in recent games, they’ve pounced on that.

“The last time we played them here we scored a couple of transition tries, one from a loose kick and another from a turnover in our own half. So it’s two teams willing to pounce on mistakes. You have to find the balance between playing an open brand that’s your identity with accuracy, and playing in the right areas of the field.

“It’s not necessarily conservative as it’s all about having a go. But