The home semi-final that is the key to eventually winning the Guinness PRO12 is in sight for the Glasgow Warriors although the route could hardly be tougher starting at Ospreys tonight.
No away team has ever won a PRO12 play-off semi-final, so the top two placing is a prize that will keep the Warriors pressing in their final two games even if the play-off place is secure, says Gregor Townsend.
The head coach will start Duncan Weir for the first time since his January arm injury and has selected a team which will perhaps look to play with caution rather than the Warriors customary all-running game at the Liberty Stadium, where Ospreys have not lost a PRO12 game since February 2014.
Glasgow have won down at the Liberty on each of their last three visits, but only Leinster have managed to escape the Swansea stadium with as much as a draw this season.
For tonight Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur, Tim Swinson and Josh Strauss all return in the pack, while on the bench Ryan Wilson has completed his three month suspension after being found guilty of a 2013 assault and is included.
Glasgow will probably still have a chance of a home semi if they lose with Ulster due to come to Scotstoun next week, but Townsend wants it wrapped up now.
“We’re well aware of the importance of tomorrow night’s game and what it means to everyone associated with the club,” he said. “Securing our place in the play-offs is a massive achievement, but we’re now playing for home advantage and we know our last two games of the regular season are crucial to achieving that outcome.
“Ospreys are only four points behind and are also playing for a home play-off, so we’re expecting an extremely tough game.
“They have played at a consistently high level throughout the season and have a good balance in their play – a strong, aggressive defence allied to an excellent attacking game.”
Edinburgh meanwhile lock horns with the Dragons, only three weeks after they routed the Newport-Gwent team in the European Challenge Cup semi-final at BT Murrayfield.
However this time it’s at Rodney Parade, and Edinburgh are still bearing the bumps from their bruising Challenge Cup Final with Gloucester last week.
Alan Solomons has been forced into two changes, bringing in Jack Cuthbert for Greig Tonks at full back while Stuart McInally will play at blindside in place of Mike Coman and also take over the captaincy.
A win is essential if Edinburgh are to stay on course for a sixth place finish and automatic qualification into the European Rugby Champions Cup next year, or at least to gain entry to a playoff match against Gloucester again from seventh place in the PRO12 and try to qualify through a two-match eliminator for the 20th and last place in the top competition next year.
Edinburgh have also made two other unenforced switches, Hamish Watson returning at openside while Fraser McKenzie will start in the second row with Roddy Grant and Anton Bresler rested on the bench.
With European qualification on the line tonight’s match will have a TV match official for close decisions even though it is not being covered live by any network. BBC Two Wales’ coverage of the Glasgow match will be available via the red button.
Glasgow: S Hogg; T Seymour, R Vernon, P Horne, N Matawalu; D Weir, H Pyrgos; R Grant, P MacArthur, J Welsh; T Swinson, J Gray; R Harley, C Fusaro, J Strauss (capt).
Replacements: F Brown, G Reid, E Murray, L Nakarawa, R Wilson, L Jones, F Lyle, P Murchie.
Edinburgh: J Cuthbert; D Fife, S Beard, A Strauss, T Visser; P Burliegh, S Hidalgo-Clyne; A Dickinson, R Ford, WP Nel; F McKenzie, B Toolis; S McInally (capt), H Watson, C du Preez.
Replacements: N Cochrane, R Sutherland, J Andress, A Bresler, R Grant, N Fowles, T Heathcote, T Brown.