Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a starting XV showing eight changes from last weekend’s victory over Zebre Parma, as his side prepares to welcome the Vodacom Bulls to Scotstoun in the club’s final home match of the regular season.
Having secured a home quarter-final with victory last weekend, attentions now turn to the race for a top-two position and home advantage in any prospective semi-final, with the third-placed Bulls firmly in the hunt alongside Smith’s squad.
Gregor Hiddleston retains his place at hooker after returning from injury last time out, as Nathan McBeth and Patrick Schickerling come in to the starting lineup to join him in the front-row.
Max Williamson makes his first start since his own injury layoff, coming into the engine room to partner former Scotland U20 team-mate Alex Samuel.
The back-row sees Jack Mann retained at number eight, whilst Gregor Brown and Rory Darge are named on the flanks for tomorrow night’s clash.
Behind the scrum, George Horne needs just a single point to reach 500 in a Glasgow jersey, the scrum-half joining Tom Jordan in a familiar half-back combination.
Kyle Steyn moves into the midfield to captain the side from outside centre, as Stafford McDowall – a try-scorer in Parma last weekend – continues in the number 12 jersey.
Ollie Smith moves to full-back in the absence of Josh McKay, in a back-three completed by Sebastian Cancelliere and Kyle Rowe on the wings.
There’s a welcome return to action for Scott Cummings after the Scotland international was named amongst the replacements, the 28-year-old set for his first outing since January’s clash with Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.
Jamie Bhatti rotates to the bench after starting last time out, joining Johnny Matthews and Sam Talakai as the front-row cover for tomorrow night’s encounter.
Euan Ferrie and Sione Vailanu also move to the bench after being part of the starting XV a week ago, in a six-two split of forwards and backs amongst the replacements.
The back-line is covered by Jamie Dobie and Adam Hastings, the latter set for his first meeting with the Bulls in a Glasgow Warriors jersey.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The Bulls will pose an extremely physical test tomorrow night, one that we know that we will need to match across the field.
“We’re pleased to welcome Scott [Cummings] back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff, during which time he has worked tirelessly with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position to return.
“Training this week has been fully focused on ensuring we display the best version of ourselves tomorrow night, and we look forward to running out in front of what promises to be a sold-out Scotstoun.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Vodacom Bulls at Scotstoun, Friday 25 April, kick-off 7.35pm.
1 Nathan McBeth (53)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (22)
3 Patrick Schickerling (10)
4 Max Williamson (27)
5 Alex Samuel (35)
6 Gregor Brown (34)
7 Rory Darge (62)
8 Jack Mann (12)
9 George Horne (134)
10 Tom Jordan (66)
11 Kyle Rowe (32)
12 Stafford McDowall (89)
13 Kyle Steyn (C) (87)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (56)
15 Ollie Smith (43)
Replacements
16 Johnny Matthews (93)
17 Jamie Bhatti (120)
18 Sam Talakai (18)
19 Scott Cummings (137)
20 Euan Ferrie (34)
21 Sione Vailanu (33)
22 Jamie Dobie (84)
23 Adam Hastings (65)
Unavailable for selection: Jack Dempsey (hamstring), JP du Preez (head), Matt Fagerson (ankle), Zander Fagerson (calf), Angus Fraser (ankle), Huw Jones (ankle), Josh McKay (ankle), Ally Miller (back), Fin Richardson (back), Rory Sutherland (shoulder), Sione Tuipulotu (pectoral), Henco Venter (suspension), Duncan Weir (shoulder).
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Finlay Brown (SRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
nightmare king
The dubious honor of being called the worst Test batsman belongs to New Zealand’s Chris Martin. He has a poor batting average and only ever achieved double figures once. He was so bad that he even starred in an ad for Pulp Sport spoofing his (lack of) batting skills.
bazooka har-de-har
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) was founded in 1879, serving as the governing body for rugby union in Ireland. Responsible for organizing and promoting the sport, the IRFU plays a crucial role in the development and growth of rugby across the island, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.