SEAN LINEEN today described the double-header, festive-period derby with Edinburgh as a trial for Scotland RBS Six Nations places.

The Glasgow Warriors coach looked on as Edinburgh won the David Lloyd 1872 Cup via a 59-31 aggregate margin after they claimed victory at Murrayfield by 39-6 in the first leg last season.

However, Warriors did manage a 25-20 victory in the return fixture at Firhill.

The dates for this season's 1872 cup matches have been confirmed as Sunday, December 27, at Firhill and Saturday, January 2, at Murrayfield (both 3.05pm kick-offs).

Both matches will be shown live by STV.

Lineen said: "It's something all of the players talk about because a win is not only worth the bragging rights for the rest of the season.

"It is also the chance to show yourself as a player against an opposite number in a game which can effectively be seen as a national trial."

Last term almost 20,000 Scottish rugby fans watched both matches with 12,500 turning up at Murrayfield and 6,665 at Firhill.

Lineen admitted he is already looking forward to the double-header.

The coach said: "In all of the three years I've been involved there's been something special with each side winning a match apiece and the title going down to points difference.

"The 1872 Cup crowd sizes are getting bigger every year because the game captures the true nature of a passionate Scottish derby."

Supporters who have tickets to Scotland's Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests will qualify for free admission to the Murrayfield leg of the celebrated double-header.

For more details visit www.scottishrugby.org