Weir takes coaching role in academy shake-up at Glasgowpublished at 14:37 GMT 31 December 2025
14:37 GMT 31 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Glasgow Warriors stalwart Duncan Weir is to "step back" from playing to take an academy coaching role at the club.
Nick Ryan, who joins after five years as director of rugby at Sydney University, has been appointed Glasgow's academy manager.
Former Scotland fly-half Weir, 34, won the Pro12 title with Warriors in 2012 and has made more than 150 appearances for the club across two spells.
Weir and Ryan are joined by Shade Munro, who continues in his academy role having previously been head coach of Scotland women and Glasgow assistant.
Weir is "really excited" for his new role, telling the Warriors website: "I'm really looking forward to working with Nick, who's bringing so much experience over from Australia, and with Shade, who I've obviously known for a long time.
"Having such a solid foundation is going to serve me well in the new role, and is going to serve Glasgow Warriors well long term."
Ryan, whose experience includes a three-year stint as pathways manager at Melbourne Rebels, said: "Joining Glasgow Warriors is incredibly exciting for me and it's a huge honour to be part of the club.
"The Warriors are well renowned across the world given what they have achieved recently and a lot of that success has been born out of young players who have come through their academy system.
"It is testament to the work that has gone on at Scotstoun and I am looking forward to adding to that, and continue to drive it forward."
Listen to final BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast of 2025published at 14:37 GMT 31 December 2025
14:37 GMT 31 December 2025
Tom English and Andy Burke wrap up a year of Scottish rugby, sharing their picks of the highlights and lowlights of 2025, focusing on the key players, memorable moments and the controversies that shaped the game.
Rudderless Edinburgh reach new lowspublished at 11:59 GMT 30 December 2025
11:59 GMT 30 December 2025
Sandy Smith Fan writer
The twinned towns of Dull in the highlands and Boring in Oregon have a third sibling today, blunt Edinburgh.
The second successive defeat by Glasgow Warriors was tedious and, unsurprisingly, the atmosphere in the ground was as flat as a pancake that's been sat on by a tighthead prop.
The fact that the attendance didn't top last year's number is in part down to potential attendees being sceptical of the ability of Edinburgh to actually make a game of it, let alone put on a spectacle worthy of the time, effort and cost involved to be there.
More importantly, it could be the final debacle in the Sean Everitt era.
For context, in the past seasons that Mike Blair, Richard Cockerill and Alan Solomons were in charge not one of them had reached this point of the season with so few points on the board.
In fact, not once in our professional history have we reached week eight of the league season and won fewer games than we have this year, albeit with one game postponed.
On the back of this defeat the approach to the game v Castres, also a loss, seems even more ridiculous.
It has to be acknowledged that injuries have played their part but the back line selected for this game is arguably our best option, even without or increasingly because of Duhan Van der Merwe's absence, and yet not one shot was fired.
That is now two games in a three-week period where we have failed to score a try. You have to go back to 2016 to find a season with more tryless games.
The changing of the coach may not be a panacea. But who dictates and implements the culture at a club? Who is responsible for the style of play? Who chooses the players and the supporting coaching staff? We can't change the squad en masse so that leaves one option whether it fits the narrative or not.
Edinburgh need a coach with drive and a sense of purpose because we are rudderless and only our lack of direction is preventing us from running aground entirely.
Edinburgh 3-21 Glasgow: Three things we learnedpublished at 10:04 GMT 29 December 2025
10:04 GMT 29 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
A derby double-header to forget
The festive derbies between Glasgow and Edinburgh should be one of the highlights of the rugby calendar, but this latest 1872 Cup double-header was sorely lacking in the entertainment stakes.
It's hard to recall a game with so many stoppages. Every 30 seconds there seemed to be a knock-on, a penalty or a player down requiring treatment. The whole thing was utterly devoid of any kind of flow.
It was a grim spectacle for the crowd of over 38,000 that were in attendance at Murrayfield.
Throw in the 21,000 or so that were at the first leg at Hampden - another damp squib of an occasion - and you have a big missed opportunity to hook in floating rugby fans.
Dynamic Dobie rises above the dirge
A rare bright spot in an otherwise forgettable derby was the performance of Jamie Dobie. The 24-year-old scored two tries, the second of which was pure class.
Dobie is pushing hard to be chief back-up scrum-half to Ben White for Scotland in the Six Nations.
There is also a compelling argument to be made that, with Duhan van der Merwe hopelessly out of form and Darcy Graham not quite at it, he is one of the two form wingers in Scotland alongside Warriors team-mate Kyle Steyn.
Dobie's major asset, namely his ability to cover multiple positions, may count against him in terms of a starting place as he is such an effective bench option, but he is playing his way towards first-choice status for the national team in some capacity.
Edinburgh's failing attack
Once again Edinburgh failed to offer much as an attacking force and it's a recurring problem that is threatening to undermine their entire season.
Head coach Sean Everitt bemoaned the lack of set-piece foundation from which to launch attacks, but Edinburgh looked ill-equipped to fashion anything from what little ball they managed to generate.
The kicking game was aimless, the handling poor, the carrying lacking in impact and the creativity non-existent.
Edinburgh need a new gameplan, new personnel, or maybe both, because what they are doing is clearly not working.
'Awful display' from Edinburgh; Glasgow have 'more nous & power'published at 15:08 GMT 28 December 2025
15:08 GMT 28 December 2025
We asked for your views after Glasgow Warriors defeated Edinburgh again - this time 21-3 at Murrayfield - to retain the 1872 Cup.
Here are some of your comments.
Al: Edinburgh really need to change something, it's just not working as it is.
Gordon: Awful game, awful display from Edinburgh. Fed up hearing from them how they are going to do this or that and then nothing. Needs a root and branch review and I'd start with the CEO Douglas Struth, he seems to be quite happy providing the cash keeps coming in. There are a number of season-ticket holders, of which I'm one, who are considering whether or not to renew. This can't go on!
Frank: Glasgow stuck in second gear while Edinburgh are in reverse on the Royal Mile. If this is the best Scottish rugby can dish, I'll be avoiding the Six Nations. Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson and Scott Cummings get pass marks. Only Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas could be considered decent from the losers. So much for Darcy Graham needing the Murrayfield atmosphere to perform. He'd be lucky to be considered fifth choice after that outing.
Rob: Edinburgh were awful in attack. They can hardly string any phases together. Their backs are clueless and lacking in confidence. That is down to poor coaching.
Stu: Turgid stuff for the most part with Glasgow showing far more than Edinburgh. Surely enough is enough for Sean Everitt, the tactics are woeful in attack and seem to rely on miracle plays from aimless kicks.
Stuart: Across both matches it must be said Edinburgh's attack is toothless. Yes Glasgow are very difficult to get at, their defence is suffocating, but not once did Edinburgh make any headway through the midfield channel. Stafford McDowall read and swallowed everything. If it comes to an arm wrestle, Glasgow just have more nous and ultimately more power.
Shaun: Two really poor derby games that don't tell us too much other than how poor Edinburgh are. This will give Gregor Townsend more sleepless nights. Based on those two performances, Pierre Schoeman aside there's not an Edinburgh player that should make the Scotland squad. Maybe Dylan Richardson as injury cover. Glasgow weren't even remotely good, yet still won the aggregate by over 30 points
Doug: Some of the sternest defence we've come up against, but patience and some clinical finishing by the excellent Dobie got us over the line. The bench was very strong too, Brown and Zander coming on can't be nice to see as tiring defenders! You have to wonder if a change of coach would make that much difference or if the problems at Edinburgh run much deeper.
Tom: If this meeting of the two Scottish teams in the URC is anything to go by, then lower your expectations for the forthcoming Six Nations. Both teams clueless in attack - plenty of grunt but no guile or finesse, and the insane box-kicks gifting back possession to the opposition defies explanation, other than a paucity of ideas. Dobie a shining light in an otherwise dismal advert for Scottish rugby.
Dobie hails Glasgow's 'sweet' 1872 Cup clean sweeppublished at 12:03 GMT 28 December 2025
12:03 GMT 28 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Jamie Dobie says Glasgow Warriors winning both legs against Edinburgh made this season's 1872 Cup victory even sweeter.
Warriors triumphed 21-3 at Murrayfield, with Dobie scoring two tries, to back up their first-leg victory at Hampden.
"Delighted to win the cup and it's a bit sweeter this year after the last couple of years, obviously losing the fixture at Murrayfield but still winning the cup," the scrum-half told BBC Scotland.
"So to win both this week and last week that makes it a bit sweeter, so obviously delighted for everyone.
"Everybody knows each other individually and as a team so well. It was pretty attritional again.
"Our forwards had to go through a lot of work, so fair play to them, but it opened up a bit at the end there, we managed to get away slightly, so delighted to pick up four massive league points.
"It's a really good way to round off the year. It's obviously a long season and there's a lot of games, but to finish off with two derby wins is massive."
Pain of Glasgow defeats must kickstart Edinburgh's season - Curriepublished at 17:48 GMT 27 December 2025
17:48 GMT 27 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Matt Currie says Edinburgh must use the hurt of back-to-back derby defeats by Glasgow Warriors to kickstart their season.
The capital side were once again a blunt force in attack as Warriors prevailed 21-3 at Murrayfield to secure the 1872 Cup for a fourth successive season.
"It's tough. It just hurts, doesn't it?" the centre told BBC Scotland.
"We're disappointed, but we're disappointed in how we performed. We know that the game that we played there isn't what we want to put on the pitch.
"There was obviously moments of good play that we can be happy with, but there was a lot that we're going to have to improve on. Hopefully, we can do that next week, going into our next game.
"To be fair to Glasgow, they defended well. They put us under pressure. And when you're on the back foot, it's tough to get everyone involved in the game.
"It's something we're going to work on throughout the next few weeks. We have been working on it as well and I'm sure it'll come.
"I'm hoping this will be the spark, two defeats to Glasgow. I'm hoping that kick-starts us into something this season and we can get a few wins."
Edinburgh 3-21 Glasgow Warriors: What Smith saidpublished at 17:29 GMT 27 December 2025
17:29 GMT 27 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports: "The boys have had enough time to get away with families. Good to get the result.
"Disappointed [with the way the game finished]. It would have been good to get a bonus point.
"This is a derby. The opposition are always going to come out with their heart on their sleeve. They defended well, but it's about trust. We worked hard.
"I always like another scrum-half on the wing. Two ball players on the edges and up the tempo a bit.
"Jamie [Dobie] is a good rugby player and good players find a spot. Hopefully he can continue to progress because I think he can play for Scotland in that role as well."
Edinburgh must 'fire more shots' to win 1872 Cup - Scottpublished at 16:55 GMT 26 December 2025
16:55 GMT 26 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Cammy Scott says Edinburgh can wipe out the 12-point first-leg deficit to wrestle the 1872 Cup back from Glasgow Warriors, but will have to sharpen up in attack to do so.
Warriors prevailed 24-12 at Hampden last weekend to put them on course to claim the trophy for the fourth straight season when the sides meet again at Murrayfield on Saturday.
"I think for us, it's not too out of reach," stand-off Scott said.
"It's an exciting opportunity. You're playing in front of a home crowd, potentially 40,000 people coming here.
"So for us, it's a really exciting opportunity and you get a real buzz from the crowd as well.
"I think as a team, we obviously defended very well [in the first leg], but in attack, it's just fire a few more shots, be a bit more connected.
"James Lang coming back makes a big difference for us in attack as well, to be able to do that."
Scott says the match is crucial for Edinburgh's season, not just in terms of regaining the 1872 Cup, but getting them up the URC table from their current position of 11th.
"I think it's massive," said the fly-half.
"Going into January, we've obviously got a game in hand, but it's massive in terms of what we want to do and where we want to be come February, Six Nations time.
"Any points we can get now is massive. Losing by a point in a few games didn't really help, but I think for us, it's get as many points as we can so that come February, we're in a good place."
Edinburgh aim to 'right wrongs' in second legpublished at 13:19 GMT 26 December 2025
13:19 GMT 26 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Wing Darcy Graham insists Edinburgh are determined to "right some wrongs" by wrenching the 1872 Cup from Glasgow's grasp at Murrayfield.
Sean Everitt's side have a 12-point deficit to overcome in the second leg as they bid to claim the trophy for the first time since 2021-22.
"It was a frustrating game," said Graham of last week's 24-12 defeat at Hampden. "As a team we were all hugely frustrated.
"But we've had a couple of days to sulk, and then get straight back on the horse and hopefully we'll right some wrongs this weekend.
"If we can get an early try, it blows the game wide open. Trying to get five points from the game is the goal.
"You know what you're going to get with Glasgow: they're a tough team, they're playing well and they're a cohesive team. They've got world-class players all over the team, so we'll just have to be on it from minute one to 80.
"We need to go out there and fire some shots in attack, and that's been a big work-on for this weekend, because we know we've got the defence part there. It's just how we can tie it in with the attack and be more clinical in that finish zone."
Graham is relishing the return to Murrayfield after being underwhelmed by the Hampden experience.
"Yeah, it will give us confidence," he said. "It's easier coming back here. It's a better stadium anyway, with more atmosphere than Hampden.
So I'm excited to have over 30,000 fans here and hopefully we can get it closer to 40,000 by the weekend."
Glasgow 'chomping at the bit' for win in Edinburghpublished at 13:09 GMT 26 December 2025
13:09 GMT 26 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has challenged his side to retain the 1872 Cup in style with a rare away win over Edinburgh on Saturday.
The Scotstoun side, who lead 24-12 from last week's first leg at Hampden, have only won one of their past 10 visits to their derby rivals.
Glasgow have won the cup three seasons running, but the shine was taken off the past two triumphs after losing the second leg.
"We always want to play better," said Smith.
"In the last two years we felt disappointed in the result in the second game. The boys will be chomping at the bit to try and play well against a very determined Edinburgh.
"It's an opportunity for us to continue growing our processes because that's what's going to be important.
"If we want to compete in Europe and keep on progressing in this tournament [the URC], we need to step up and progress.
"I'm excited to see the big challenge in front of a lot of people at Murrayfield to continue our process of growing and progressing."
Smith has made six changes to his forward pack for the game because he wants "new energy", meaning he will have big-hitters like Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown and Rory Darge to come off the bench.
Steyn set for century as Smith rings changespublished at 13:22 GMT 24 December 2025
13:22 GMT 24 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Kyle Steyn will make his 100th Warriors appearance
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith has opted to make six changes to his starting pack for Saturday's 1872 Cup second leg away to Edinburgh.
Warriors defeated their inter-city rivals 24-12 in an attritional affair at Hampden last weekend.
While Smith has kept the same back-line - meaning captain Kyle Steyn will make his 100th appearance for the club - he has reshuffled his entire front row and second row, with back-rowers Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey the only two forwards remaining in the starting XV.
Senior players Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, who stands to make his 150th appearance for Glasgow on Saturday, are rotated to the bench.
Edinburgh have made three changes to their XV from last weekend, with hooker Ewan Ashman and centre Piers O'Conor both missing out due to concussion.
Prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, drops to the bench where he is joined by his 21-year-old brother Jerry, who ?is set for his professional debut.
Harri Morris and Paul Hill come into the front row, while James Lang returns from injury to take O'Conor's place in midfield.
The 1872 Cup and getting personal - The BBC Scotland Rugby Podcastpublished at 10:12 GMT 24 December 2025
10:12 GMT 24 December 2025
Tom English and Andy Burke answer audience questions, look back on the first leg of the 1872 Cup and chat to Edinburgh's Dylan Richardson.
With advantage Glasgow after the first leg, can Edinburgh respond to Glasgow's 1872 sting at Murrayfield? And is Hampden truly a home away from home for Glasgow? Tom and Andy have you covered.
Did Edinburgh get caught up in 1872 cup occasion?published at 09:33 GMT 23 December 2025
09:33 GMT 23 December 2025
Sandy Smith Fan writer
Callum Hunter-Hill's yellow card on the 75th minute summed up Edinburgh's performance in the first leg of the 1872 cup, strong, aggressive but ultimately pointless.
Our defence was good as everyone has pointed out. Seven of Edinburgh's starting forwards took the top seven places in the tackle stats.
However, like when you are asked, "Do you want fries with that?" and decline only to regret it almost immediately this was also a dish that was missing something. In Edinburgh's case though the absent ingredient was their attack.
Edinburgh ran for 213 metres which was less than half of Glasgow's total. Ben Vellacott alone was responsible for around 35% of those metres.
Second choice for the scrum half was a pass and he did that less times than he has on any other occasion this season, except against Zebre in the opening round of the URC. This was frustrating enough without bringing that game back to your attention.
He could be described as profligate in comparison to the rest of our midfield though. Cammy Scott, eight passes. Piers O'Conor, one pass. Matt Currie, eight passes. By comparison, Adam Hastings made 23 passes. All on his own too!
It's been said before but what is the point of wingers like Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe if Edinburgh aren't going to give them the ball?
In fairness I don't imagine that at the start of the season the coaching staff foresaw us going into this contest with this midfield. This is our fourth different starting combo and our last two standing centres.
It also felt like we got caught up in the occasion a little. Edinburgh were awarded six penalties in the second half, four of which were kickable by either of our left footed kickers. Instead we kicked to the corner repeatedly and were either repelled or made an error.
Just two of those penalties would have given Edinburgh a potentially crucial losing bonus point and a much more appealing margin to try and overcome next week.
Edinburgh have only managed to win a deciding 1872 cup match by 12 points or more and then take or retain the trophy twice in their history. The most recent being in 2022.
I'll take a win of any stripe. It'll take a coup to cop the cup. Vive la revolution.
What did we learn from 1872 Cup first leg?published at 09:34 GMT 22 December 2025
09:34 GMT 22 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Glasgow's Ollie Smith impressed in the first-leg win at Hampden
Is Hampden working as Glasgow's second home?
There's an interesting debate going on about Hampden and its suitability as Glasgow's second home for bigger games.
The atmosphere was undoubtedly flat for the first leg of the 1872 Cup against Edinburgh, the result of a dour game and 21,000 fans (6,000 down on last year) in a 52,000-capacity stadium.
It's hard to know if persevering with Hampden is the way to go for Glasgow, but it's worth keeping in mind Edinburgh took time to build towards the record 40,000 crowd they got at Murrayfield last year.
The capital side would seem to have the better end of the deal – the weekend after Christmas tends to be more manageable for most people than the weekend before.
It's thought around 10,000 represents the 'break-even' figure for Glasgow, so in that context 21,000 (three times the Scotstoun capacity) is not to be sniffed at.
If Warriors return to the national stadium next year, or even later this season for a potential European knockout game, they need to figure out how to hook in even more punters. Not easy in a football-dominated city.
Grunt rather than guile wins the day
The fact all six tries scored at Hampden came from forwards told its own story of this first leg.
With so much attacking talent in both backlines, it was frustrating that we saw so little of the X-factor players that could have lit up what was, ultimately, a fairly uninspiring spectacle.
Edinburgh stood up well in defence, but Glasgow's big boys, in particular the excellent Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge, just had that little bit more about them when it mattered and Warriors never really looked seriously troubled.
Smith shines in more familiar role
Ollie Smith told us last week on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast how he does not care which position he plays for Glasgow or Scotland, as long as he plays.
Having been deployed at various points on the wing and at outside centre for club and country in recent times, he was back in his more familiar role at full-back and was one of the few backs to make a real impression on the game.
Smith looked dangerous with ball in hand, was largely solid under the high ball, had some excellent defensive plays – including a try-saving tackle on Darcy Graham – and his booming kicks made huge territorial gains for the Warriors.
After that devastating knee injury that cost him over a year of rugby, Smith now seems to be taking his game to a new level.
Vellacott rues Edinburgh's missed chances in Glasgow defeatpublished at 17:39 GMT 21 December 2025
17:39 GMT 21 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Ben Vellacott says Edinburgh's failure to make the most of their opportunities was costly as they went down 24-12 to Glasgow Warriors at Hampden.
Dylan Richardson and Grant Gilchrist scored tries either side of half-time to keep Edinburgh in the game, but Glasgow always looked in control and ran in four tries to secure a 12-points advantage going into next week's second leg of the 1872 Cup at Murrayfield.
"It was played at a pretty feisty intensity," Vellacott told BBC Scotland.
"Obviously, really disappointed. Fair play to Glasgow when they got into our 22, they executed and came away with points. Us on the other hand, we got in there and we didn't execute.
"You get into a 22 like that, if you don't come away with points, you're going to get punished and that's what happened.
"I can't fault our fight in defence. That was absolutely awesome, but we've just given them too many opportunities to get into our half. And against a side like Glasgow, you can't do that.
"You've got to limit the number of times they get in there. Otherwise, like they did, they come away with points and they come away with four tries. So, yeah, on to next week."
Glasgow Warriors 24-12 Edinburgh - Your viewspublished at 13:40 GMT 21 December 2025
13:40 GMT 21 December 2025
We asked for your views on Glasgow Warriors 24-12 win against Edinburgh.
Here's what some of you EDINBURGH supportes said:
Martin: It's a real problem being an Edinburgh supporter. When the coach is a happy man that we only got into their half once in the first half but we scored, that is a problem.
Edinburgh huffed and puffed but ultimately didn't do very much. Dreading next week, I think Glasgow could field a second XV and still win. It seems one good victory over Toulon and it's classed as a successful season.
David: Great defensive effort by Edinburgh and no faulting the spirit but the attack side, from a back's perspective, is totally lacking. Two wingers who are Scotland's top try-scorers, and not one worthwhile pass to them. Have Edinburgh got an attack coach?
Graeme: Sean Everitt played a second string last weekend in the Champions Cup to save the big boys for this one, well that worked out well didn't it! Time for a new voice and ideas in charge of Edinburgh but also one that doesn't accept mediocrity, someone along the lines of Franco Smith.
Adam: Edinburgh clearly have a strong set of forwards as the Toulon victory shows, however, our backs sadly offer so very little in attack. The tragedy of taking off 50- cap superstar Duhan van der Merwe is clear because unlike Glasgow, our midfield is average and struggles to bring him into match.
And here's the views of you GLASGOW fans:
Colin: Glasgow need to be more clinical when pummelling the opposition line, too often it results in being held up. The margin of victory would have been much greater had they converted the number of chances they set up in the first half.
Edinburgh don't seem to understand that they have two international wings or how to get the ball to them quickly in space. If Scottish Rugby's plan is to have two professional teams playing the brand of rugby that the Scotland team wants to promote, then Edinburgh need to sort themselves out. I was sitting just behind their coaches and they were more animated at keeping Glasgow out than scoring tries.
Stuart: Was always going to be a tough match, but with Warriors having five held-up tries and scoring four showed their dominance. Edinburgh's defence stood up well for long periods, slowing the ball so Warriors couldn't use width. Seb Stephen coming on and scoring the try was the icing on the cake.
Paul: In the years before Smith, Glasgow were known for adventurous back play but also a bit of a lightweight pack. I reckon the forwards have led the way in recent wins over the Bulls, Toulouse and now Edinburgh. They are still blessed with a good backline, but it is great to see that pack throwing its weight around.
Alastair: Pre-match thinking was it would be an easy win for Glasgow. In the end it was reasonably comfortable but at around 60 minutes Glasgow seemed to switch off. Credit to Edinburgh's defence but Glasgow should have better finished their opportunities. As Franco said post-match there is much to work on.
Glasgow's Darge hails 'special' Hampden derby winpublished at 13:16 GMT 21 December 2025
13:16 GMT 21 December 2025
Andy Burke BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
Rory Darge says it was a special feeling to be part of Glasgow's victory over Edinburgh at Hampden having missed out on last season's 1872 Cup meeting at the national stadium.
The Scotland back-row produced a man of the match performance, including a try, as Warriors ran out 24-12 winners in the first leg.
"I missed the chance to play here last year, so to experience playing at a ground like this is, I don't know, it's a bit different isn't it?" Darge told BBC Scotland.
"You get used to playing at the same grounds every week and you don't take it for granted, but to come to Hampden is something a bit special and to get the win over Edinburgh, five points to the league table going into Christmas is a really nice feeling."
Darge said Warriors had to be patient to break down a resolute Edinburgh defence.
"I think there will have been a bit of talk in their camp throughout this week about a reaction to how they turned up to Hampden last year [a 33-14 Glasgow win].
"They wouldn't have been happy with that and they would have wanted to change things. To be fair, they did.
"I think there were three hold-ups over the line in the first half. Physical, physical game, like a typical derby match. We're delighted to come out on top of that because it was really evenly contested."
Glasgow Warriors 24-12 Edinburgh: Have your saypublished at 17:59 GMT 20 December 2025
17:59 GMT 20 December 2025
Glasgow Warriors took a big step towards winning the 1872 Cup for the fourth year running with a bonus-point first-leg victory over Edinburgh at Hampden.
Glasgow Warriors 24-12 Edinburgh: What Everitt saidpublished at 17:53 GMT 20 December 2025
17:53 GMT 20 December 2025
Image source, SNS
Edinburgh head Sean Everitt: "I thought the boys were brave defensively. We gave Glasgow enough opportunities to have a go at us, and then we were able to keep them out.
"The first half was a good example. We got into their 22 once and we scored once. At half-time, the game is anyone's to be won.
"We then spent the majority of the second half in their 22, but just couldn't get over the line and credit to Glasgow and how they defended. But we can also need to be better in that area of the field.
"We wanted to kick contestables and not to kick the ball out, which obviously will hand over position if you don't win the aerial battles.
"If we improved and won some more kicks back, it might have been a little bit different. Maybe we wouldn't have had to defend for those long periods. But it wasn't like that.
"I'm proud of the boys but we need to do more when we've got ball, and it's something that we'll look at this week.
"I don't think it'll be too difficult [to motivate the boys]. The guys are used to coming back in the second game at home.
"It's quite a big deficit, when you look at derbies, to make up. That's why that last try hurt us a bit. But we'll be motivated to get a good win and make sure that we contest the 1872 Cup."