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'He is the most respected individual I've ever seen inside the All Blacks'
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Glasgow ramp up intensity ahead of clash with 'enemies'
By PA
Glasgow’s Jack Dempsey is relishing the chance to lock horns with his Scotland “brothers” when Warriors begin their defence of the 1872 Cup against Edinburgh on Saturday.
Glasgow have claimed the local bragging rights in each of the past three seasons and can take a step towards a fourth triumph with victory in the first leg at Hampden.
The back-rower said: “You’re playing against boys who you train with and play with in Scotland. It’s like playing your little brother or your big brother.
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“Even though you love some of those boys, like Schooey (Pierre Schoeman) and Duhi (Duhan van der Merwe) who I’m very close with in the Scotland team, they’re going to be the enemies on the weekend.
“I’m looking forward to that. The extra niggle that comes in the rucks and the mauls there will be enjoyable.”
Dempsey believes last Saturday’s remarkable comeback win over Toulouse in the Champions Cup will help make Glasgow, the 2024 URC champions, an even more formidable force.
“It’s about putting down those flags in the sand, about showing it and not just talking about it,” said Dempsey. “I think that game is a milestone that we can now keep leaning back on, just like the final in Pretoria a couple of seasons ago that won us the league.”
Ewan Ashman says Edinburgh are desperate to reclaim the cup and will be fuelled by past disappointments.
“We’ve spoken about that already,” said the Scotland forward. “The last few years haven’t been good enough and that’s something that’s massively motivating us.
“We want the cup back. It’s an exciting opportunity and that’s what we need to do. We need to deliver a performance over both the weeks. Starting this week away from home, we need to get out the gates. That’s what we’re going to try and do.
“You’re best friends a couple of months ago (on international duty) and now you’re wanting to get stuck into each other. There’s nobody you’d want to beat more.”
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