Mike Cusack will start in the front-row for Glasgow Warriors 'A' this evening, wearing the black and blue shirt for the first time since February. Mike Cusack

The Scottish qualified prop has had a tough time with injuries and illness over the last couple of years, but has featured for Currie in the BT Premiership recently, and will continue his comeback in Edinburgh tonight.

The ‘A’ game, on the back pitches at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 7pm, free entry), will act as a pre-curser to the 1872 Cup games, taking place over the festive period.

It is an opportunity for a number of players to get game time and for some of Glasgow’s BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 players, those identified through the BT Premiership draft clubs and players returning from injury the chance to impress.

Experienced players, Al Kellock and James Downey will start the game, along with a number of promising young players such as Fergus Scott, Scott Cummings, Tommy Spinks, Ali Price and Glenn Bryce, who have the opportunity to play in a derby match for the Warriors.

There are also a number of players from BT Premiership clubs named in the squad, including Ayr’s Robbie Fergusson who has recently beaten cancer and will start the match on the bench.

Gavin Lowe, fresh from touring with Scotland 7s on the IRB World Series, will also start as a replacement.

Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ head coach, Kenny Murray will be assisted by Elite Development coach Iain Monaghan and Ayr Rugby Club assistant coach, Glen Tippett.

Ahead of the game Murray said: “This is a great opportunity for a number of players to get valuable game time, at a high level against our nearest rivals ahead of the 1872 Cup matches.

“It’s great that Mike Cusack is starting the match. He has worked really hard to recover from his injury and we’re all looking forward to seeing him play tonight.

“We’re also delighted that a number of players from the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 programme and from the club game, will get an opportunity to show what they can do at this level.

“Fraser Lyle earned a full-time contract after impressing in the last ‘A’ game which shows how beneficial these matches are.”

Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ team to play Edinburgh Rugby ‘A’, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, kick-off 7pm (free entry):
1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa

2. Fergus Scott

3. Mike Cusack

4. Scott Cummings

5. Al Kellock (Captain

6. Tommy Spinks

7. Will Bordill

8. James Eddie

9. Ali Price

10. Fraser Lyle

11. Rory Hughes

12. James Downey

13. Gregor Young (Scotland 7s)

14. Lewis Young (Scotland 7s)

15. Glenn Bryce

Replacements from:

George Hunter, James Malcolm, Roussow De Klerk/ Zander Fagerson, Rob McAlpine (Ayr), Jonny Agnew (Glasgow Hawks), Lewis Wynne (Stirling County), Matt Smith, Blair McPherson (Ayr), David Armstrong (Ayr), Gavin Lowe, Reuben Norville (Scot U20), Danny McLuskey (Ayr), Paul Ramsay (Glasgow Hawks) Robbie Fergusson (Ayr)