Glasgow Warriors will welcome Josh McKay and Henco Venter back into the starting lineup for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash with the DHL Stormers, as Franco Smith’s men kick-off the playoffs under the Friday night lights.
The pair return from injury and suspension layoffs respectively to take their places in the starting XV for the visit of the Cape Town-based franchise, in a repeat of the 2023/24 quarter-final meeting between the two sides.
Jamie Bhatti is the only member of the front-row that started away to Leinster a fortnight ago to retain his place, the prop joined by Gregor Hiddleston and Murphy Walker – the latter making his first start of the 2024/25 season – at the coal face.
Alex Samuel continues in the second-row, with Scott Cummings reverting to the engine room after coming off the bench in Dublin.
Venter’s return from suspension sees the South African pack down at number eight, joining Euan Ferrie and Rory Darge as the loose-forward trio.
Behind the scrum, Tom Jordan is handed the number 10 jersey, joining fellow Scotland international George Horne in the half-backs.
Sione Tuipulotu is set to make his first appearance at Scotstoun since January’s victory over Racing 92 in the Investec Champions Cup, with Stafford McDowall returning to the midfield after coming off the bench in the back-row at the Aviva Stadium.
Kyle Steyn leads the squad from the wing, as Kyle Rowe – fresh from renewing his contract with the club earlier this week – joins McKay to complete the back-three.
Jack Mann could also make his return from injury tomorrow night after being named amongst the replacements for the visit of the Stormers, forming part of a six-two split of forwards and backs named on the bench.
Sam Talakai returns to a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time since the visit of the Vodacom Bulls at the end of April, as the Australian international joins Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews as the front-row cover.
Max Williamson wears the number 19 jersey, whilst Macenzzie Duncan’s performance against Leinster sees the academy back-rower rewarded with a place amongst the replacements for tomorrow night’s encounter.
The back-line is covered by Jamie Dobie and Adam Hastings, the latter set for his first playoff match in the league for Glasgow Warriors since the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The Stormers will pose one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the competition tomorrow night, and we know that we must be at our best to meet the challenge they will bring.
“They have the ability to hurt any team with ball in hand, mixing a physical forward pack with a backline that can spark something from anywhere.
“We know how special an atmosphere Scotstoun can provide on nights like these, and we know the Warrior Nation will make themselves heard tomorrow night.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face the DHL Stormers at Scotstoun, Friday 30 May, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jamie Bhatti (123)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (25)
3 Murphy Walker (15)
4 Alex Samuel (38)
5 Scott Cummings (140)
6 Euan Ferrie (37)
7 Rory Darge (65)
8 Henco Venter (34)
9 George Horne (137)
10 Tom Jordan (69)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (90)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (66)
13 Stafford McDowall (92)
14 Kyle Rowe (35)
15 Josh McKay (62)
Replacements
16 Johnny Matthews (95)
17 Nathan McBeth (56)
18 Sam Talakai (19)
19 Max Williamson (29)
20 Jack Mann (13)
21 Macenzzie Duncan (2)
22 Jamie Dobie (86)
23 Adam Hastings (68)
Unavailable for selection: Gregor Brown (knee), Jack Dempsey (hamstring), Matt Fagerson (ankle), Zander Fagerson (calf), Huw Jones (achilles), Ally Miller (back), Duncan Munn (shoulder), Patrick Schickerling (foot), Duncan Weir (shoulder).
VenusXX
The French national rugby team is known as Les Bleus.
Sneaky Lady
The Man of the Match title is awarded to the player who has contributed the most to make the best impact in a match or series. This title was first used in cricket and can be awarded to any player, whether his team has won or not. The only cricketer to have won the title four consecutive times is Sourav Chandidas Ganguly. The left-handed Dada played for the national team of India.