Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh - RaboDirect PRO12 match preview

Nick De Luca: Ruled out of Friday's derby

Alastair Kellock: Back to lead Glasgow against Edinburgh

Glasgow Warriors captain Alastair Kellock returns for Friday night's RaboDirect Pro12 derby with Edinburgh as one of four changes to the pack for the clash at Scotstoun.

Chris Fusaro returns at openside flanker, with Rob Harley at blindside and Ryan Grant at loosehead prop, while Kellock's understudy at second row is Jonny Gray.

The younger brother of Scotland lock Richie Gray has been named on the bench and is in line to make his professional debut.

Out of the starting XV go prop Gordon Reid, lock Tom Ryder, injured flanker John Barclay (leg) and blindside flanker James Eddie.

Tighthead Moray Low and hooker Pat MacArthur complete the front row, with Ryan Wilson at number eight.

De Luca blow

There is a solitary change in the back-line from the side which lost 10-8 to Castres in the Heineken Cup last weekend, with Peter Murchie at full-back and Sean Maitland shifted to the wing, Tommy Seymour dropping out of the squad.

DTH Van der Merwe is on the opposite wing to Maitland, with Peter Horne and Sean Lamont at centre, Niko Matawalu at scrum-half and fly-half Ruaridh Jackson completing the back line. Five Scotland internationals have been named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh centre Nick De Luca has been ruled out of the short trip to Scotstoun due to a facial injury.

The centre's absence means a reshuffle in the back-line, but Greig Laidlaw is retained at scrum-half despite suggestions he would revert to fly-half if De Luca missed the RaboDirect PRO12 clash.

Laidlaw will be partnered by Piers Francis at fly-half, with James King at inside centre and Matt Scott at outside centre, while the back three is comprised of Tim Visser, Lee Jones and Greig Tonks.

Jones has recovered from a head knock and been passed fit to play.

The front row is Allan Jacobsen, Willem Nel and Ross Ford, the second row features Izak van der Westhuizen and Grant Gilchrist and Roddy Grant, Stuart McInally and David Denton line-up in the back row.

Glasgow: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Peter Horne, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Al Kellock (c), 3 Moray Low, 2 Pat Macarthur, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 German Araoz, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 James Eddie, 21 Henry Prygos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Stuart Hogg.

Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Lee Jones/Dougie Fife, 13 James King, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Stuart McInally, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 David Denton, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 John Yapp, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Netani Talei, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Ben Atiga, 23 Dougie Fife.

What they said...

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend: "I was very pleased with way we attacked Castres for long spells of the game last week, the players showed ambition, pace and intensity.

"If we're to win this game on Friday we need to have a similar level of performance. We're preparing for a very tough contest against one of the best attacking teams in the PRO12.

"They can put out a very strong pack with a number of different ways of playing so we need to be absolutely on top of our game. It's a massive occasion for Scottish rugby and there's a lot at stake for both teams."

Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley: "It's disappointing to lose a key player like Nick for such a big game, but James has performed very well when given the opportunity this season and is desperate to get out there.

"These are huge games for the players and the fans and I'm happy with the balance of the team and the firepower available from the bench going to Scotstoun tomorrow for what will be a hugely physical and intense match with our biggest rivals."

Click here for more betting