Cummings returns for Ulster clash

Scott Cummings will make his first appearance for Glasgow Warriors for three months tomorrow night, after the second-rower was named in the starting XV for the club’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster at Scotstoun.

The 26-year-old will pull on a Glasgow shirt for the first time since October’s visit to the Cell C Sharks, having picked up a foot injury while training with Scotland ahead of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

Cummings is one of seven changes from the Warriors side that took to the field at Rodney Parade for the club’s most recent outing, as Head Coach Franco Smith prepares his side for the visit of third-placed Ulster under the Friday night lights.

Nathan McBeth will make his first start in the BKT URC after being selected at loose-head prop, joining Johnny Matthews and Lucio Sordoni in an all-new front-row.

Cummings joins Lewis Bean in the second-row, the latter having featured in each of the club’s matches during the current nine-game unbeaten run.

The back-row is unchanged from the victory over the Dragons, meaning Thomas Gordon and Sione Vailanu pack down either side of returning Scotland international Jack Dempsey.

Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie starts at scrum-half, the Inverness-born number nine linking up with Tom Jordan in the half-backs.

Stafford McDowall captains the side from the midfield, lining up at 13 alongside Sam Johnson in an unchanged centre combination.

Cole Forbes and Sebastian Cancelliere – who leads the league in clean breaks with 18 to date – retain their places on the wings, with Ollie Smith completing the starting XV by lining up at full-back.

An all-Scotland front-row lies in wait amongst the replacements, as Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown and Simon Berghan take their places in the matchday 23 after being released from Scotland camp for tomorrow’s clash.

JP du Preez rotates to the replacements after starting at Rodney Parade, whilst Alex Samuel – fresh from agreeing a new contract extension earlier this week – and Euan Ferrie continue amongst the options off the bench.

The backs are covered by Duncan Weir and the returning Ali Price, the scrum-half making it seven Scotland internationals released to the Warriors for tomorrow night’s match.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith said: “The players have returned from their time off refreshed and refocused, as we prepare to start the next block of fixtures.

“We know how important this next block of fixtures will be for our season, but we are only focused on making sure we present the best version of ourselves on the pitch tomorrow night.

“We are proud of our home record and we know we will need to be at our best to defend that record against a strong Ulster side.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 17 February, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Nathan McBeth (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (39)
3 Lucio Sordoni (10)
4 Lewis Bean (30)
5 Scott Cummings (95)
6 Thomas Gordon (60)
7 Sione Vailanu (10)
8 Jack Dempsey (32)

9 Jamie Dobie (43)
10 Tom Jordan (14)
11 Cole Forbes (31)
12 Sam Johnson (98)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (48)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (25)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (134)
17 Jamie Bhatti (81)
18 Simon Berghan (24)
19 JP du Preez (14)
20 Alex Samuel (5)
21 Euan Ferrie (7)
22 Ali Price (122)
23 Duncan Weir (131)

Unavailable for selection: Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Domingo Miotti (back), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee).