Al Kellock might have been wondering if he would ever play at Murrayfield again.

But the 56-times capped lock will be back in the thick of things at HQ this evening after being confirmed as Glasgow captain for the 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh.

Kellock has made just a handful of appearances for the Warriors this season, but his man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's first-leg victory over the capital side at Scotstoun showed beyond doubt that there is life in the 34-year-old dog yet.

Kellock will be partnered in the second row by Jonny Gray who was rested last weekend. The Warriors will also have an all-new front row, with Gordon Reid, Dougie Hall and Jon Welsh taking over from Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur and Euan Murray while the only back-row change sees Tyrone Holmes come in for the injured Rob Harley.

Coach Gregor Townsend has also made radical alterations in the back three, where Peter Murchie, Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour return. Finn Russell and Bath-bound Niko Matawalu come in to form the half-back partnership.

With the weather forecast suggesting clear conditions at the national stadium, Townsend hinted that Glasgow could attempt to use the dry ball and wider pitch to their advantage as they try to build on the 16-6 advantage they established at Scotstoun six days ago.

"Murrayfield is the maximum width, 70 metres," he explained. "I think we [at Scotstoun] are 63 or 64. Murrayfield is also six or seven metres longer, and they have about 30 yards of dead ball area well while have about six.

"It definitely makes a difference. You are playing on the biggest bitch you can play on. Ulster's Ravenhill is a big pitch as well, as is the Ospreys ground. It does mean there is more turf to defend.

"Factors that we always look at before games are the condition of the pitch, the dimension of the pitch and the weather. You can play the rugby you want to play more easily if the weather is better. If it stays dry and cold that would be good.

"Last year the pitch wasn't in great condition, so we didn't get the advantage, but the year before we loved playing there. It looks in great condition now. Let's just hope we get good weather and we have a cracking game."

However, Townsend also made it clear that his side was ready for another bruising encounter if that is how the game unfolds.

"Physicality is a big part of our game," he explained. "Big tackles are what you want to see. We were pleased with our defence, and I thought Edinburgh defended well too. From my perspective, the physicality was really good. We know we have to keep improving defensively, in the contact area and create quick ball."

Glasgow Warriors: P Murchie; S Maitland, A Dunbar, P Horne, T Seymour; F Russell, N Matawalu; G Reid, D Hall, J Welsh; J Gray, A Kellock (C); R Wilson, T Holmes, J Strauss.

Replacements: F Brown, A Allan, E Murray, L Nakarawa, J Eddie, A Price, R Vernon, S Hogg.

Edinburgh: J Cuthbert; D Fife, M Scott, P Burleigh, T Visser; G Tonks, S Hidalgo-Clyne; A Dickinson, R Ford, J Andress; A Bresler, B Toolis; M Coman, R Grant, D Denton.

Replacements: N Cochrane, R Sutherland, WP Nel, F McKenzie, H Watson, S Kennedy, T Heathcote, S Beard.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU).