Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has made two changes ahead of Sunday’s clash with Saracens at a sold-out Scotstoun, as his side looks to continue their unbeaten run in the Investec Champions Cup.
Victory over the three-time European champions would guarantee the Warriors top spot in Pool One, having claimed 15 points from a possible 15 to date in the competition.
An unchanged front-row sees Gregor Hiddleston once again pack down between Patrick Schickerling and Zander Fagerson, the latter sitting fourth in the competition for carries made after the opening three rounds.
Alex Craig and Scott Cummings continue their combination in the second-row, having been impressive in both the tight and the loose in Clermont last weekend.
Rory Darge comes into the back-row in the only alteration to the pack that started last weekend, joining Matt Fagerson – who has made more tackles than any other Warrior to date in the Investec Champions Cup – and Jack Dempsey in the loose-forwards.
George Horne will become the latest Warrior to reach 150 appearances for the club this weekend, as the Howe of Fife product lines up at scrum-half to partner Dan Lancaster in the half-backs.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are retained as the centre combination, the British & Irish Lions duo having dove-tailed to impressive effect in France last time out.
The only change to the back-line sees Ollie Smith start on the wing in place of Jamie Dobie, with Kyle Rowe and Kyle Steyn – scorer of a brace of tries in a Player of the Match-winning performance last Saturday – completing the back-three.
Euan Ferrie rotates to the bench to accommodate the inclusion of Darge, the back-rower the only change to the replacements ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
Seb Stephen and Max Williamson are retained after producing lively cameos off the bench last time out, with Rory Sutherland and Sam Talakai joining Stephen as the front-row cover.
Gregor Brown continues in the number 20 jersey in an impressive Investec Champions Cup campaign to date, as Stafford McDowall and Ben Afshar once again round out the matchday 23.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Saracens possess a strong pedigree in the Investec Champions Cup, something that they will be eager to continue this weekend.
“Their squad is packed with international-calibre talent and we know that they will come here with a direct, physical game plan that we will need to be at our best to match.
“We are also proud to see George reach 150 appearances for the club – he is someone who gives his heart and soul for Glasgow Warriors every time he steps onto the field, and we know how much reaching this milestone will mean to him.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Saracens at Scotstoun, Sunday 18 January, kick-off 5.30pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action as it happens in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Patrick Schickerling (18)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (37)
3 Zander Fagerson (167)
4 Alex Craig (10)
5 Scott Cummings (151)
6 Matt Fagerson (134)
7 Rory Darge (73)
8 Jack Dempsey (61)
9 George Horne (149)
10 Dan Lancaster (11)
11 Ollie Smith (54)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (77)
13 Huw Jones (82)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (101)
15 Kyle Rowe (43)
Replacements
16 Seb Stephen (8)
17 Rory Sutherland (20)
18 Sam Talakai (32)
19 Max Williamson (42)
20 Gregor Brown (45)
21 Euan Ferrie (46)
22 Stafford McDowall (105)
23 Ben Afshar (30)
Unavailable for selection: Angus Fraser (knee), Adam Hastings (knee), Johnny Matthews (neck), Nathan McBeth (calf), Josh McKay (hamstring), Fin Richardson (calf), Alex Samuel (shoulder), Charlie Savala (knee), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee).
Alley Fiend
There\’s only one person who witnessed Jim Laker and Anil Kumble taking 10 wickets in an innings – As a 10-year-old Richard Stokes witnessed Jim Laker taking all 10 wickets in the 1956 Old Trafford Test against Australia. Forty-three years later he was in India watching the India vs Pakistan Test and saw Anil Kumble taking all the 10 wickets in an innings. These were the only two Tests Stokes has watched in his life.
Father Abbot
Sport Trivia: Who beat South Africa twice in the 1992 Cricket World Cup? Answer: England. South Africa played against England in the group stage on 12 March 1992 in Melbourne, and England won by 3 wickets. They then faced each other again in the semi-finals on the 22 March in Sydney, and England won by 19 runs.