Cancelliere returns as Gray reaches century

Sebastian Cancelliere will make his return from injury in tomorrow night’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash with the Scarlets in Llanelli, as Glasgow Warriors take to the field for the club’s first-ever European semi-final.

The Argentinian winger returns to take his place in a starting XV that will also see Richie Gray make his 100^th appearance in Glasgow colours, the second-rower reaching the milestone 14 years on from his professional debut for his hometown club.

Having come off the bench in last weekend’s victory over Connacht, Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson are promoted to the starting lineup to pack down either side of George Turner, who returns from injury to start at hooker.

Scott Cummings is selected to partner Gray on the latter’s landmark appearance, having reached his own century in the Challenge Cup round-of-16 victory over the Dragons at Scotstoun.

An unchanged back-row sees Jack Dempsey continue at number eight, the Scotland international flanked by Rory Darge and Sione Vailanu in the back-row.

George Horne starts at scrum-half having scored more points than any other Warrior in the Challenge Cup to date, with Tom Jordan partnering the former Howe of Fife man in the half-backs.

Sione Tuipulotu comes back into the matchday 23 after missing the last two matches, Stafford McDowall shifting to inside centre to accommodate the Scotland star.

Kyle Steyn captains the side from the wing after being rested last time out, as Ollie Smith and the returning Cancelliere complete the back-three.

The tournament’s joint-top try-scorer takes his place amongst the replacements for Franco Smith’s men, as Johnny Matthews joins Nathan McBeth and Simon Berghan as the front-row cover.

JP du Preez continues his run of being involved in every one of the club’s Challenge Cup matches to date in the 2022/23 season, whilst Lewis Bean wears the number 20 jersey in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Matt Fagerson is included in the matchday 23 for the fourth match in succession, as Ali Price rotates to the bench after starting against Connacht last weekend.

The matchday 23 is completed by Duncan Weir, the fly-half having slotted the match-winning penalty in the round one win away to Bath at The Rec back in December.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith said: “Tomorrow night the Scarlets will be favouring their chances to go all the way in front of their home supporters.

“We as a team know this, and therefore it presents an opportunity to take on this challenge that will ask the very best of us.

“We have prepared well this week for what we know will be a hard battle infront of a big Welsh crowd.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 29 April, kick-off 5.30pm. You can follow the match in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org, or watch the match live on S4C and BT Sport.

1 Jamie Bhatti (86)
2 George Turner (90)
3 Zander Fagerson (125)
4 Scott Cummings (103)
5 Richie Gray (99)
6 Rory Darge (29)
7 Sione Vailanu (17)
8 Jack Dempsey (36)

9 George Horne (96)
10 Tom Jordan (22)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (62)
12 Stafford McDowall (54)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (33)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (30)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (47)
17 Nathan McBeth (21)
18 Simon Berghan (30)
19 JP du Preez (22)
20 Lewis Bean (37)
21 Matt Fagerson (92)
22 Ali Price (127)
23 Duncan Weir (132)

Unavailable for selection: Facundo Cordero (hamstring), Cole Forbes (hamstring), Jamie Dobie (knee), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Josh McKay (foot), Cameron Neild (calf), Ross Thompson (foot).