15. Blair Kinghorn – 7 out of 10
An assured performance at the back without ever getting a chance to cut loose.
14. Darcy Graham – 7
Made 44 metres with the ball in hand, which isn’t bad going in a match which was characterised by the arm-wrestle up-front.
13. James Johnstone – 6
Solid in both attack and defence.
12. Chris Dean – 6
One bad handling error under pressure towards the end of the first half was disappointing, but his willingness to play to his strength and carry the hard yards make him a valuable member of the Edinburgh squad. Hobbled off at half-time and didn’t return after the break.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7
A major threat on the left wing. If he could handle as well as he can carry he would be dynamite.
10. Jaco van der Walt – 8
High tackle on opposite number Adam Hasting allowed Glasgow to kick to the corner after a shaky start, but it didn’t come to anything because they couldn’t control the ball. Another assured performance in which he played to his team’s strength by keeping his forwards facing ahead, and he chose the right times to bring the threats in the back three into the game.
9. Henry Pyrgos – 7
An unsung hero. Decision making and consistency of execution has made him a key cog in the well-oiled Edinburgh engine.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 9
Not only was he a vital man in another utterly dominant scrum performance, he was also a huge contributor with the ball in hand in the loose, including one glorious moment during the first half when he caught a hospital pass above his head but still managed to bounce the Glasgow tackler, and a scintillating line-break in the second half. Replaced by Allan Dell on 70 minutes.
2. Stuart McInally – 8
Scored the game’s only try, fired his darts with pin-point accuracy, part of a dominant scrum, his team’s top carrier with 14 – another great day at the office for a man who deserves this moment as ‘captain fantastic’ after a long old apprenticeship. Replaced by David Cherry on 74 minutes.
3. WP Nel – 8
Maybe not as dynamic around the park as his fellow Edinburgh tight-forwards, but what a torrid time he gave Oli Kebble (and then Jamie Bhatti) at scrum time.
4. Ben Toolis – 7
Grows as a player with every game. He was perpetual motion as Edinburgh harried Warriors at every turn. A powerful gallop through Matt Fagerson during the first half showed that he can do some damage with the ball in hand as well.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 8
The ferocious line-speed of Edinburgh’s inside defence was key to inhibiting Glasgow’s momentum, and this man’s scrum cap seemed to spearhead that more often than not.
6. Jamie Ritchie – 8
Gave away a needles penalty early on for obstructing a quick line-out throw, but generally did what he does best, challenging at every breakdown and never giving an inch. Was replaced by Luke Crosbie on 65 minutes.
7. Hamish Watson – 8
His ferocious work over the ball frustrated Warriors attempts to generate quick ball, and his ability to bounce off tackles makes him a real handful to defend against.
8. Viliame Mata – 7
An exceptional athlete at the base of Edinburgh’s scrum as he demonstrated with his powerful break during the lead-up to McInally’s try. It was a shame his foot strayed into touch when he made his way up the left touchline with ten minutes to go, because it would have been fascinating to see him make the most of such an exciting attacking opportunity.
Glasgow v Edinburgh:
Visitors prove too clever for wayward Warriors
Glasgow Warriors player ratings
Richard Cockerill demands improvements from his team
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry – 5
Got six minutes as a late replacement for McInally.
17. Allan Dell – 5
Will be champing at the bit for a chance to start next week after watching Schoeman claim man-of-the-match in this match.
18. Simon Berghan – 5
Got the last ten minutes.
19. Callum Hunter-Hill – 5
Replaced Toolis with six minutes to go, and every minute of pro rugby this youngster picks up is invaluable to Richard Cockerill’s efforts to build strength in depth.
20. Luke Crosbie – 5
Straight back into the match day squad after breaking his jaw against Zebre at the end of October, and another player who will benefit from even a short spell on the park during these successful outings. He got 15 here after replacing Ritchie.
21. Nathan Fowles – 5
Played the last 12 minutes after replacing Pyrgos.
22. Simon Hickey – 5
Jaco van der Walt has made the ten jersey his own, but the New Zealander should get a chance to reclaim the chief playmaker role when Cockerill rotates things against Southern Kings.
23. Juan Pablo Socino – 5
Played the second half after Chris Dean hobbled off at half time.
The answers to The Offside Line’s Big Fat Christmas Quiz of 2018