Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has made nine alterations to the starting XV for tomorrow night’s meeting with Northampton Saints in The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Friendly, in his squad’s final run-out ahead of the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Amongst the changes from the side that took to the field in Bath last weekend is the return of Jack Dempsey, with the number eight set to take to the field in Glasgow Warriors colours for the first time in 11 months following an injury sustained on Scotland duty in the Guinness Six Nations.
Fin Richardson is the sole member of the front-row to retain his place from last weekend, as Nathan McBeth – having recovered from an injury picked up in training last week – and Gregor Hiddleston come in to start up front.
Alex Samuel and Max Williamson form a familiar second-row partnership, having featured prominently together for Scotland U20 prior to signing professional contracts at Scotstoun.
Euan Ferrie captains the side for the second week in succession, shifting to the blindside flank to accommodate the returning Dempsey in a back-row completed by Macenzzie Duncan.
Behind the scrum, Ben Afshar and Dan Lancaster form the half-back combination, the pair having both come off the bench at The Rec last Saturday.
Kerr Yule and Kerr Johnston continue their partnership in the centres, having dove-tailed to impressive effect last time out.
Josh McKay comes into the starting lineup at full-back, joining Ollie Smith and Fergus Watson in the back-three.
Three Scotland internationals draw into the matchday squad amongst the replacements, as Johnny Matthews, Jamie Bhatti and Gregor Brown await their first action of the pre-season campaign.
Alex Bryden is the only other player to come into the squad that did not feature at The Rec last time out, the academy centre set for his first senior run-out at Scotstoun.
Elsewhere, Jake Shearer and Sam Talakai provide cover at prop, with Seb Stephen and Angus Fraser – the latter also able to cover the back-row – offering options at hooker.
Jare Oguntibeju and Dylan Cockburn complete the cohort of forwards available on the bench, with Jack Oliver, Brent Jackson – a try-scorer last weekend – and Matthew Urwin covering the half-backs.
The replacements are rounded out by Ben Salmon and Johnny Ventisei, the latter having captained Scotland U20 during the World Rugby U20 Championship this summer.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We look forward to running out at Scotstoun for the first time this season tomorrow night, as we continue to build towards the start of a new campaign.
“We were encouraged by the performances of our academy talents down in Bath last weekend, gaining valuable experience against a top-class opponent.
“As Investec Champions Cup runners-up, we know Northampton will pose another stern test tomorrow, as we continue to integrate more of our senior players alongside our academy prospects against one of the top teams in Europe in preparation for the new campaign.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Northampton Saints in The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Friendly at Scotstoun, Friday 12 September, kick-off 7.30pm. Tickets for the match are still available – click here.
1 Nathan McBeth
2 Gregor Hiddleston
3 Fin Richardson
4 Max Williamson
5 Alex Samuel
6 Euan Ferrie (C)
7 Macenzzie Duncan
8 Jack Dempsey
9 Ben Afshar
10 Dan Lancaster
11 Ollie Smith
12 Kerr Yule
13 Kerr Johnston
14 Fergus Watson
15 Josh McKay
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Jake Shearer, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Gregor Brown, Angus Fraser, Jack Oliver, Matthew Urwin, Ben Salmon, Johnny Ventisei, Jamie Bhatti, Seb Stephen, Dylan Cockburn, Brent Jackson, Alex Bryden.
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