Chris Paterson will be the biggest name among the many players saying farewell to Scottish rugby tonight, but the focus has switched from him and his Edinburgh clubmates to the city of Glasgow on a huge weekend for the sport.
The men from the capital played the biggest match in Scottish club rugby history in last week's Heineken Cup semi-final, but this weekend Scotstoun Stadium will stage a leg of the IRB sevens circuit for the first time; at Firhill tonight, Glasgow Warriors will try to secure their place in the Rabo-Direct Pro12 play-offs before their move to Scotstoun next season.
Their final Pro12 fixture, against Connacht, will also be their last match at Firhill, their home of the last five seasons and Sean Lineen, their outgoing head coach who will be in charge for the last time at home, expects an emotional occasion.
"Firhill for thrills, Fortress Firhill . . . whatever you want to call it, it's become a great venue," he said. "We've talked a little bit about it and coming here from Hughenden, the pitch is a little bit short, but it's our home ground and the players love it. It's a proper rugby ground, a professional rugby ground.
"The players felt a lot more comfortable here, but going to Scotstoun and seeing the stands up, it's fantastic. It's going to be great venue as well, but it's just the next step. Yes, there'll be a little bit of emotion there, but we have to keep that in check and make sure we win this game."
It is a weekend that will demonstrate the growth of the RaboDirect Pro12, which has broken attendance records and produced three Heineken Cup semi-finalists this season broke new ground in European competition by being the first league to produce five Heineken Cup quarter-finalists and the first to produce three semi-finalists, which has resulted in Leinster and Ulster contesting the final later this month.
Last season the competition drew record overall attendances with the millionth spectator attending the end of season Grand Final but this year that mark is being reached this weekend, before the play-offs even get underway.
The Scottish teams have played a significant part, with attendances up at both Edinburgh and Glasgow; as they have both set their own new attendance records for home games in both the Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.
Even before the walk up gate is counted Glasgow are expecting another bumper attendance for tonight's match with some 4500 advance sales, while Paterson's departure guarantees that there will also be a huge turn out at Murrayfield which he has graced so often.
"My retirement is tinged with sadness but my overriding and lasting feelings are ones of happiness, enjoyment and fulfilment, having achieved far more than I ever thought I would and could have in 14 years of the job," he said yesterday.
"I'm delighted to be involved in this game and, as always, have done my best in training and will do my best in the game.
"We've had a great season in Europe and have a chance on Saturday to remedy our league form and finish the season well, both for Edinburgh Rugby and me personally."
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