Gray to make final Glasgow Warriors appearance

Richie Gray will take to the field for the final time in a Glasgow Warriors jersey this weekend, after the Scotland and British and Irish Lions second-rower was selected in the starting XV to take on the DHL Stormers tomorrow afternoon.

The 35-year-old is one of seven changes for the closing match of the club’s South African double-header, as Franco Smith’s men take on the two-time finalists at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch in their final match before the international break.

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An all-new front-row sees Johnny Matthews – whose dramatic score in the final play of the match secured a brace of bonus-points for the Warriors in Durban last weekend – pack down between Jamie Bhatti and Sam Talakai, the former one of 19 Warriors selected in the Scotland squad earlier this week.

Gregor Brown is paired with Gray in the engine room for the latter’s 119^th and final Glasgow Warriors outing, having made his debut for the club back in March 2009.

The back-row is unchanged from last weekend’s showdown with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, meaning Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge once again line up either side of Jack Dempsey in the breakaway trio.

Adam Hastings comes into the starting lineup after making an impact off the bench last weekend, as he partners George Horne – scorer of two of Glasgow’s four tries last Saturday – in the half-backs.

Newly-named Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu leads the Warriors from the midfield once more, with Huw Jones drawing into the starting XV to replace Stafford McDowall at outside-centre.

Kyle Rowe retains his place on the wing after being heavily involved in three of Glasgow’s four tries last weekend, as Sebastian Cancelliere and Josh McKay join him in the back-three to round out the starting lineup.

Gregor Hiddleston rotates to the replacements after an impressive outing from the start, with British and Irish Lions props Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson joining the hooker as the front-row cover.

The starting second-row pairing from Durban similarly move to the bench to accommodate Gray and Brown, as Scott Cummings and Max Williamson join Henco Venter in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Jamie Dobie and Tom Jordan cover the backline to complete the matchday squad, the latter having been named in a Scotland squad for the first time earlier this week.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The Stormers will provide another stern test for us in Stellenbosch tomorrow – they look to be hitting top form as they showed in their convincing win over Munster last weekend.

“They will also be able to call upon a wealth of international experience and quality, with Springboks and World Cup winners throughout their squad.

“It promises to be another electric atmosphere in front of a passionate crowd tomorrow, and we look forward to the challenge.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face DHL Stormers at Danie Craven Stadium, Saturday 26 Ocotber, kick-off 12.45pm UK time. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (108)
2 Johnny Matthews (78)
3 Sam Talakai (4)
4 Gregor Brown (25)
5 Richie Gray (118)
6 Matt Fagerson (116)
7 Rory Darge (52)
8 Jack Dempsey (53)

9 George Horne (122)
10 Adam Hastings (57)
11 Kyle Rowe (21)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (59)
13 Huw Jones (73)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (41)
15 Josh McKay (53)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (13)
17 Rory Sutherland (3)
18 Zander Fagerson (153)
19 Scott Cummings (130)
20 Max Williamson (24)
21 Henco Venter (24)
22 Jamie Dobie (73)
23 Tom Jordan (54)

Unavailable for selection: Nathan McBeth (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Kyle Steyn (leg), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)

Referee: Andrew Brace
Assistant: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant: Christopher Allison
TMO: Chris Busby