Steyn’s 100

Glasgow Warriors club captain Kyle Steyn will bring up a century of appearances for the club this Saturday, as he leads the team out at Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the second leg of the 1872 Cup.

Scott Cummings will also reach a personal milestone should he come off the bench in Edinburgh this weekend, the British & Irish Lions second-rower set to reach 150 appearances for his boyhood club a week on from putting pen to paper on a new contract.

Head Coach Franco Smith has made six changes in total to the team that earned a 24-12 victory over Edinburgh at Hampden Park last weekend, with all six alterations coming in the forward pack ahead of the return fixture.

An all-new front-row sees Johnny Matthews return from injury to start at hooker, packing down between Patrick Schickerling and Sam Talakai at the coal face.

Alex Samuel is another to make his return to action following injury as he lines up alongside Alex Craig in the second-row, the latter making his first start since last month’s visit to the Scarlets.

Angus Fraser is the only change to the back-row that started at Hampden Park last weekend, as he starts at openside in a trio completed by Matt Fagerson – whose try opened the scoring last time out – and Jack Dempsey.

George Horne and Adam Hastings combine once again in the half-backs, the pair having dove-tailed to impressive effect in attack during last weekend’s victory.

Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall continue their combination in the midfield, the former leading all backs in carries across the BKT United Rugby Championship season to date.

Steyn leads the side from the wing on his 100th appearance in Glasgow colours, with Jamie Dobie and Ollie Smith completing the starting XV.

The starting front-row from last weekend’s win all rotate to the replacements bench for Saturday’s clash, as Nathan McBeth, Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson await their opportunity at the home of Scottish rugby.

Cummings is joined by Gregor Brown and Rory Darge in a six-two split of forwards and backs, the latter having earned BKT Player of the Match honours last time out.

For the third successive match the back-line is covered by Ben Afshar and Dan Lancaster, the duo having come on for the closing stages of last weekend’s victory.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We were pleased to get the win at Hampden Park last weekend, but we know that it is only half time in terms of the wider 1872 Cup series.

“Edinburgh will bring physicality in both attack and defence in front of a passionate home support, and we know they will throw everything at us on Saturday afternoon.

“We are also pleased to see Kyle reach his century, and for Scott to reach 150 appearances – they each give their all each time they run out onto the field for this club, and we congratulate them on reaching their respective landmarks. From a personal perspective, I’m proud to see both men reach their milestones, and I know they will lead from the front on Saturday afternoon.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Saturday 27 December, kick-off 3pm. Follow all the action on Premier Sports, or in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Patrick Schickerling (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (103)
3 Sam Talakai (29)
4 Alex Craig (7)
5 Alex Samuel (46)
6 Matt Fagerson (132)
7 Angus Fraser (22)
8 Jack Dempsey (59)

9 George Horne (147)
10 Adam Hastings (78)
11 Jamie Dobie (95)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (75)
13 Stafford McDowall (102)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (99)
15 Ollie Smith (52)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (34)
17 Nathan McBeth (63)
18 Zander Fagerson (165)
19 Scott Cummings (149)
20 Gregor Brown (43)
21 Rory Darge (71)
22 Ben Afshar (27)
23 Dan Lancaster (8)

Unavailable for selection: Jamie Bhatti (calf), Euan Ferrie (ankle), Huw Jones (ankle), Josh McKay (hamstring), Kyle Rowe (knee), Charlie Savala (knee), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee)