He takes the place of Daryl Gibson at inside centre as Glasgow seek to atone for their 35-31 defeat to their Scottish rivals at Murrayfield on December 28.

Warriors coach Sean Lineen makes just one further change to the side which beat Newport Gwent Dragons on March 30, with Scotland hooker Fergus Thomson replacing Dougie Hall.

A bumper crowd is expected at Firhill, and Lineen is determined to see his side close in on Edinburgh in mid-table.

Edinburgh currently occupy fifth place, six points and two places ahead of Warriors.

But the capital side were beaten 20-0 by Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield last time out, and Lineen senses a big chance for his side.

“We have some momentum going into this one after a character-building win away to the Dragons a fortnight ago,” he said.

“But tomorrow night is shaping up to be a fantastic game. These types of matches are always one-offs.”

The 1872 Challenge Cup is also up for grabs and will be awarded to the team who clinch an aggregate victory over the two matches between the clubs this season.

Lineen said: “The last game against Edinburgh was a great advert for Scottish rugby.

“Our travelling support was fantastic and I hope the same atmosphere is replicated in front of a huge Glasgow crowd at Firhill, obviously with the result going to us. Our supporters could mean points for us at the end of the day.”

For Edinburgh, blindside flanker Ally Hogg and full-back Hugo Southwell will be making their 100th appearances for the club.

Captain Hogg and his fellow Scotland international Southwell are looking to mark the achievement with the away victory which would strengthen Edinburgh’s chances of finishing in the top four.

The involvement of Ross Ford, who will go head to head with opposite number Thomson, strengthens the Edinburgh line-up.

Ford, 23, is back after a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem and will be starting his first match in five weeks, having suffered his injury early on in Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations Championship victory over England on March 8.

His absence allowed Thomson to start at hooker against Italy in Scotland’s final RBS 6 Nations match, and the international squad colleagues will be opponents on Friday.

Ford told www.edinburghrugby.org: “I am chuffed to be back. I’ve been raring to go and as soon as I knew I could be back in time for this game it was a massive incentive.

“I have always tried to keep on top of my fitness and hopefully I’ll have not lost too much sharpness, but is a long time for anyone to be out injured.

“So to come straight back into a game of this intensity will be quite tough. But hopefully my fitness will see me good for a big period of the game and help me to make an impact.”