Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a starting XV showing just one change in personnel from last Saturday’s famous victory over Toulouse, as preparations continue to build for this weekend’s 1872 Cup opener against Edinburgh at Hampden Park.
George Horne’s inclusion at the expense of the injured Josh McKay is the sole alteration to the lineup, the scrum-half having made a sizeable impact when coming off the bench at Scotstoun last time out.
An unchanged front-row sees Gregor Hiddleston – scorer of the match-winning try on Saturday night – continue at hooker, with the Investec Champions Cup’s top carrier, Zander Fagerson, and Nathan McBeth starting either side of the former Dumfries Saint.
Max Williamson and Scott Cummings once again pack down together in the second-row, the Scotland internationals running out together for the third successive match.
Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge line up on the flanks, with Jack Dempsey completing the all-action back-row triumvirate for the inter-city clash.
Horne comes into the back-line to start alongside Adam Hastings in the half-backs, the latter having earned Investec Player of the Match honours for his performance in victory over Toulouse.
Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall pair up once more in the midfield, having dove-tailed to devastating effect in the opening rounds of the Investec Champions Cup.
Jamie Dobie moves to the wing and Ollie Smith to full-back in the absence of the injured McKay, as Kyle Steyn – one of four try-scorers in last season’s victory at Hampden Park – captaining the side from the wing.
Ben Afshar is the only member of the replacements to have not featured against Toulouse last weekend, the scrum-half joining Dan Lancaster as the two backs amongst a six-two split on the bench.
Seb Stephen continues as the replacement hooker for a third match in succession, joining Rory Sutherland and Sam Talakai as the front-row cover for Saturday’s showdown.
Alex Craig is set for his first appearance in an 1872 Cup clash, with Ally Miller another to have featured at Hampden Park last December.
Gregor Brown rounds out the replacements, the Scotland international having produced a barnstorming performance off the bench against Toulouse on Saturday night.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Derbies are matches for which everyone needs no additional motivation, and we are relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Edinburgh this weekend.
“Playing at Hampden Park was a landmark occasion for the club last season, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our club on a bigger stage once again this weekend.
“The atmosphere at Scotstoun on Saturday night was one of the loudest we have heard in all my time here, and we want to see and hear as many of the Warrior Nation at Hampden as possible this Saturday.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh at Hampden Park, Saturday 20 December, kick-off 3pm.
1 Nathan McBeth (62)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (33)
3 Zander Fagerson (164)
4 Max Williamson (39)
5 Scott Cummings (148)
6 Matt Fagerson (131)
7 Rory Darge (70)
8 Jack Dempsey (58)
9 George Horne (146)
10 Adam Hastings (77)
11 Jamie Dobie (94)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (74)
13 Stafford McDowall (101)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (98)
15 Ollie Smith (51)
Replacements
16 Seb Stephen (5)
17 Rory Sutherland (17)
18 Sam Talakai (28)
19 Alex Craig (6)
20 Gregor Brown (42)
21 Ally Miller (39)
22 Ben Afshar (26)
23 Dan Lancaster (7)
Unavailable for selection: Jamie Bhatti (calf), Euan Ferrie (ankle), Huw Jones (ankle), Johnny Matthews (neck), Josh McKay (hamstring), Kyle Rowe (knee), Charlie Savala (knee), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee)
Trixiephany
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Sky Bully
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