Five changes for Zebre Parma encounter

• 2 Mar 2023

A Glasgow Warriors starting XV showing five changes will take to the field tomorrow night looking to get back to winning ways, as Scottish-Italian Shield rivals Zebre Parma visit Scotstoun in Round 15 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

In total, Head Coach Franco Smith can call upon the services of 14 internationals in the matchday 23, as the Warriors look to further their ambitions of retaining their place in the top four and securing a home quarter-final.

Allan Dell will make his first start in Glasgow colours after making his club debut off the bench in Johannesburg last weekend, joining fellow Scotland prop Simon Berghan in packing down either side of Johnny Matthews in the front-row.

JP du Preez comes into the starting lineup to partner Lewis Bean in the second-row, the pair having last started together in the away win over the Dragons at the end of January.

Du Preez’s inclusion sees Scott Cummings move to the blindside in an otherwise unchanged back-row, meaning Rory Darge – set for his first appearance at Scotstoun since last September – and Sione Vailanu continue as two thirds of the triumvirate.

Behind the scrum, George Horne returns from international camp to start at scrum-half, resuming his partnership with Tom Jordan in the week that the latter pledged his future to the Scotstoun side.

Sam Johnson and Stafford McDowall continue their midfield partnership for the fourth successive match, McDowall once again captaining the squad from outside centre.

The only change to the back-three sees Ollie Smith return in place of Eli Caven, with Josh McKay moving to the wing in a trio completed by Cole Forbes.

Oli Kebble is in line for his first appearance since December’s reverse fixture with Zebre Parma should he come off the bench tomorrow night, the prop having successfully completed his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury to take his place amongst the replacements.

Fraser Brown and Jamie Bhatti join Kebble as the front-row cover, having both been involved in Scotland’s narrow defeat at the hands of France last weekend.

Alex Samuel comes into the matchday 23 after missing out on last week’s clash wth the Emirates Lions, whilst Gregor Brown is set for his first outing since November’s visit to Leinster.

Thomas Gordon continues amongst the replacements after his try-scoring cameo in Johannesburg, with Jamie Dobie and Duncan Weir completing the matchday squad.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “It was unfortunate that our unbeaten run came to an end in the way that it did, as we know we have performed better this season, but we’re looking forward to getting the wheels in motion again at Scotstoun tomorrow night against a difficult opponent.

“The players have responded well in training all week, and have worked hard across all areas.

“We’re looking forward to running out at home tomorrow night.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Zebre Parma at Scotstoun, Friday 3 March, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre.

1 Allan Dell (1)
2 Johnny Matthews (41)
3 Simon Berghan (26)
4 Lewis Bean (32)
5 JP du Preez (16)
6 Scott Cummings (97)
7 Rory Darge (23)
8 Sione Vailanu (12)

9 George Horne (91)
10 Tom Jordan (16)
11 Josh McKay (26)
12 Sam Johnson (100)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (50)
14 Cole Forbes (33)
15 Ollie Smith (26)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (135)
17 Jamie Bhatti (82)
18 Oli Kebble (84)
19 Alex Samuel (5)
20 Gregor Brown (11)
21 Thomas Gordon
22 Jamie Dobie (45)
23 Duncan Weir (131)

Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (knee), Angus Fraser (head), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Ally Miller (back), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee).

International duty: Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Huw Jones, Ali Price, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, George Turner.