Club captain Kyle Steyn and British & Irish Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu will both make their first appearances of the 2025/26 campaign in Treviso tomorrow evening, after being named in the starting XV for this weekend’s clash with Benetton.
The pair are amongst seven changes made to the team that claimed a bonus-point victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks last weekend, as the Warriors look to continue their winning start to the new season.
Rory Sutherland comes into the front-row to start alongside Johnny Matthews and Fin Richardson, the two-time British & Irish Lions loose-head the only alteration to the trio that started last time out.
Jare Oguntibeju and Alex Samuel continue in the second-row, the pair packing down alongside each other for the third successive outing.
Matt Fagerson is the sole member of the back-row that started last Friday night to retain his place, with Gregor Brown and Macenzzie Duncan coming into the lineup to start on the flanks.
Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie and Adam Hastings combine in the half-backs, both men having made an impact off the bench last weekend.
Tuipulotu starts at inside centre for his first outing of the new season, Stafford McDowall shifting to outside centre to accommodate the Scotland captain.
Steyn captains the side from the wing, with Kyle Rowe – scorer of the club’s first try of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season last weekend – and Josh McKay completing the back-three.
A six-two split of forwards and backs amongst the replacements sees Patrick Schickerling included in a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time since April’s clash with the Vodacom Bulls, the prop set to make his return from a foot injury in tomorrow evening’s encounter.
Gregor Hiddleston and Sam Talakai join Schickerling as the front-row cover, as Max Williamson wears the number 19 jersey after being a late inclusion to last weekend’s matchday squad following the withdrawal of Jack Dempsey.
Scott Cummings and Euan Ferrie provide cover at both second-row and back-row, whilst both George Horne and Dan Lancaster rotate to the bench after starting last weekend.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Franco Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Whilst victory last weekend was a good start to our season, we know that there is still plenty to build and improve upon as we move forward.
“Training has been highly focused this week, with competition for places high across the field and each player looking to put their hand up to be involved.
“Benetton possess one of the proudest home records in the BKT URC, one which they defend fiercely against every opponent; we know that we will need to match their level and meet the challenge that they will present tomorrow evening.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Benetton at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Saturday 4 October, kick-off 5.30pm UK time. The match is live on Premier Sports.
1 Rory Sutherland (13)
2 Johnny Matthews (98)
3 Fin Richardson (9)
4 Jare Oguntibeju (10)
5 Alex Samuel (41)
6 Gregor Brown (36)
7 Macenzzie Duncan (4)
8 Matt Fagerson (126)
9 Jamie Dobie (89)
10 Adam Hastings (71)
11 Kyle Rowe (38)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (68)
13 Stafford McDowall (95)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (92)
15 Josh McKay (65)
Replacements
16 Gregor Hiddleston (28)
17 Patrick Schickerling (11)
18 Sam Talakai (22)
19 Max Williamson (32)
20 Scott Cummings (143)
21 Euan Ferrie (40)
22 George Horne (140)
23 Dan Lancaster (1)
Unavailable for selection: Alex Craig (hamstring), Rory Darge (knee), Jack Dempsey (groin), Zander Fagerson (knee), Huw Jones (ankle), Nathan McBeth (calf), Duncan Munn (shoulder), Charlie Savala (knee), Grant Stewart (foot), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)
Skygod
After Virat Kohli’s debut, India has chased down 300+ targets five times.
frankengrin
The cricket ball weighs 163 grams. Its core is made of cork which is wrapped with several layers of yarn. The outer casing is made of leather, which is then coated with lacquer.