'I played at Edinburgh... I class some of the boys as really good friends'

Glasgow prop Jamie Bhatti is well aware of the significance of their derby clash against Edinburgh.

The winners of Saturday’s encounter will clinch Heineken Champions Cup rugby next season with the losers having to settle for Challenge Cup action.

With Warriors ahead of Edinburgh on points difference in seventh place in the United Rugby Championship, the BT Murrayfield clash will also determine the venue of their quarter-final opponents with the losing side set to travel to Leinster.

Pita Pens & More French Wins | Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 29

Toulouse centre Pita Ahki joins us to discuss the drama of the penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium, whether he’d have fancied taking one, returning to Dublin to take on Leinster and much more. Plus, Benji reveals he was next in line to take a penalty when Leicester beat Cardiff in a shootout in 2009, we analyse all the European action, chat about the prospect of Eddie Jones moving to the Top 14 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com
Head over to daysbrewing.com and use the code RUGBYPASS15 to get 15% off a case of their 0.0% beers

Pita Pens & More French Wins | Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 29

Toulouse centre Pita Ahki joins us to discuss the drama of the penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium, whether he’d have fancied taking one, returning to Dublin to take on Leinster and much more. Plus, Benji reveals he was next in line to take a penalty when Leicester beat Cardiff in a shootout in 2009, we analyse all the European action, chat about the prospect of Eddie Jones moving to the Top 14 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com
Head over to daysbrewing.com and use the code RUGBYPASS15 to get 15% off a case of their 0.0% beers

Bhatti told the Warriors’ media team: “We have not really spoken about it that much but it’s in the back of our minds that this is going to define what’s going to happen for us next season as well.

“It’s massive for us going forward because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe next season and this game is a stepping stone to do that.”

The 1872 Cup is also up for grabs with Glasgow 13 points in front following the first leg but individual prizes are potentially at stake too.

“It’s a derby game and you are playing against your mates,” Bhatti said. “We are all mates. I played at Edinburgh for a season pre-Covid and I have got a lot of good mates that I still keep in contact with. I class some of the boys as really good friends of mine.

“There is a fun side of it, playing against your mates, but obviously you want to get one up on the competition as well – because there is the bigger picture when it comes to the national team and selection for that. You want to get an upper hand on the competition.”