Glasgow Warriors host Edinburgh Rugby in the opening leg of the 1872 Cup on Monday 27 December at Scotstoun (kick-off 7pm) in round 8 of the United Rugby Championship.

Tens of thousands are then expected as the sides meet again for the decisive match at the home of Scottish Rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium, a week later in the New Year (Sunday 2 January, kick-off 2pm).

The fixture adopted a ‘best of three’ approach familiar in the international test arena in 2017 when the league’s expansion from PRO12 to PRO14 created an additional fixture in the calendar for the Scottish sides.

The reformatted and intensified URC launched this season returned the rivals to the traditional festive double header, and aggregate points victor, as it had since a trophy was created to mark the 135^th anniversary of the intercity games in 2007.

The derbies attract crowds akin to national team test matches and will see many of the stars who lit up the recent Autumn Nations Cup campaign go head-to-head for their club sides – battling it out for URC points, bragging rights and the chance to get a hand on the coveted 1872 Cup.

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth, said: “The 1872 Cup festive fixtures have an established place in the diary for rugby fans across Scotland and beyond, bringing a real test match scale and atmosphere, in and outside the stadium, to our ‘home’ leg at the national stadium.

“This year’s match is the fastest selling on record and we’re targeting our biggest and best crowd yet, so it’s fantastic to be able to confirm the future format of the 1872 Cup competition and add another layer on to the excitement leading into the match.

“Silverware aside this is also a vital match against our biggest rivals in the URC as we look to build on our strong start to the season and our place at the top of our Scottish / Italian conference.”

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Al Kellock, said: “This season’s 1872 Cup derbies are set to be another very special occasion, with vital United Rugby Championship points up for grabs and European qualification at stake.

“With the trophy being decided on aggregate every point scored is crucial as we seek to retain the 1872 Cup and top our regional pool. As ever we’re calling upon the Warrior Nation to get behind the team and show their support at Scotstoun and BT Murrayfield.”

The cup will be retained by the current holder (this season Glasgow Warriors) in the event of the draw overall.

Supporters are encouraged to act fast and buy their tickets early for the derby matches to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased at www.edinburghrugby.org and www.glasgowwarriors.org.