Hastings and du Preez return to matchday 23

Adam Hastings will make his return for Glasgow Warriors in tomorrow night’s Origin Round clash with the Ospreys at Scotstoun, whilst JP du Preez could make his first appearance in 650 days after completing his rehabilitation on a long-term knee injury.

Both players will form part of a matchday 23 that will pay tribute to grassroots clubs across Scotland and worldwide tomorrow night, as Glasgow Warriors host its Club of Origin double-header in front of the Warrior Nation.

🤩 Secure your seats at Scotstoun on Saturday 1 March, as we celebrate grassroots rugby for our Origin Round Double-Header!

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 7, 2025

Patrick Schickerling is the only change to the front-row that started away to the Dragons last time out, as he draws into the lineup to start alongside Grant Stewart and Fin Richardson.

An unchanged second-row sees Alex Samuel paired with Jare Oguntibeju, the latter having put pen to paper on a first professional contract with the club earlier this week.

The back-row is also retained from the victory at Rodney Parade a fortnight ago, meaning Jack Mann – Player of the Match last time out – is flanked by Euan Ferrie and Henco Venter.

Ben Afshar comes into the starting XV having made his first professional start in last year’s Origin Round encounter at Scotstoun, whilst Duncan Weir retains the captaincy at fly-half.

Duncan Munn and Ollie Smith form the centre partnership for the third successive match, with both players having grown up as boyhood Glasgow Warriors supporters prior to turning professional.

Hastings slots in at full-back on his return from injury, as Argentinian flyers Facundo Cordero and Sebastian Cancelliere complete the starting lineup.

Du Preez is selected amongst a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time since the 2023 EPCR Challenge Cup Final after missing the entre 2023/24 season; prior to his injury, the second-rower had missed just one of 26 matches since his arrival at Scotstoun.

Elsewhere amongst the replacements, Sean Kennedy could make his first appearance of the season, the Alloa RFC product joined by Kerr Johnston – who made his debut last time out – as one of two backs selected on the bench.

Sam Talakai comes into the matchday 23 to join Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews as the front-row cover, whilst Ally Miller and Angus Fraser complete the cohort of replacements for tomorrow night.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Franco Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Everyone is looking forward to running out for our Origin Round encounter tomorrow night; we want to inspire the next generation of Warriors in the same way that the coaches, parents and volunteers of our clubs inspired our 2024/25 squad.

“The Ospreys compete hard across the field, and they have the quality across their squad to cause problems for any team in the competition.

“We’re also extremely pleased to welcome JP back to the matchday 23 after his long-term injury – he was worked incredibly hard behind the scenes with our medical and S&C teams to get back to full fitness, and everyone is looking forward to seeing him pull on the jersey once more.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Ospreys at Scotstoun, Saturday 1 March, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available for the match – click here.

1 Patrick Schickerling (6)
2 Grant Stewart (56)
3 Fin Richardson (3)
4 Jare Oguntibeju (4)
5 Alex Samuel (29)
6 Euan Ferrie (28)
7 Henco Venter (31)
8 Jack Mann (9)

9 Ben Afshar (15)
10 Duncan Weir (C) (160)
11 Facundo Cordero (8)
12 Duncan Munn (4)
13 Ollie Smith (40)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (50)
15 Adam Hastings (59)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (87)
17 Nathan McBeth (48)
18 Sam Talakai (12)
19 JP du Preez (25)
20 Ally Miller (35)
21 Angus Fraser (18)
22 Sean Kennedy (30)
23 Kerr Johnston (1)

Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (arm), Gregor Hiddleston (ankle), Josh McKay (ankle), Kyle Steyn (knee), Sione Tuipulotu (pectoral), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).

International duty: Gregor Brown, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, George Horne, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe, Rory Sutherland.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 102nd league game)
AR 1: David Sutherland (SRU) AR 2: Rob McDowell (SRU)
TMO: Colin Stanley (IRFU)