Weekend Update

A comeback falls just short, Scotland names its latest team and a couple of new additions to the matchday experience at Scotstoun - it's all in the latest Weekend Update.

Comeback falls short in Guinness PRO14 home opener

It was a case of so near yet so far for Glasgow Warriors on Friday night, as they slipped to a 25-21 defeat to Scarlets in their opening home match of the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 season.

A late comeback from 25-6 down came up agonisingly short for the hosts, who were at least able to claim a losing bonus-point thanks to 16 points from Brandon Thomson and an early contender for offload of the season from Huw Jones.

5⃣0⃣ caps for this man tonight.

Go well Matt! pic.twitter.com/fsJh6WrWAh
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

This evening’s @STVSport is coming live from Scotstoun ahead of our first home game of the new season. pic.twitter.com/RMI9YYLdyD
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

KICK-OFF | And we’re off under the bright lights of Scotstoun! Brandon Thomson steps up and kicks deep in the Scarlets half.

? Follow the game live in our match centre: https://t.co/Ek2WkODwZ2 pic.twitter.com/yFlhAlmbmn
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

67′ | Brandon Thomson converts his own try!

? Follow the game live in our match centre: https://t.co/Ek2WkODwZ2 pic.twitter.com/CkmPYqqgRP
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

74′ | TRY!!! Stafford McDowall dots down and the crowd are on their feet!

? Follow the game live in our match centre: https://t.co/Ek2WkODwZ2 pic.twitter.com/2MY1oPFiCm
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

FULL-TIME | So close at the end as the Warriors piled on the pressure but the Scarlets managed to clear on their own line and come away with the victory. pic.twitter.com/MexeBoRmHO
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

? Here are the stats from tonight’s game, brought to you by @Kube_NET. pic.twitter.com/poOkH08fTn
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

Greatest offload of all time? @HRFJones to @StaffordMcDowal #GLAvSCA @ScotRugbyBlog pic.twitter.com/qFHV4sckV0
— Alisdair Hogg (@ajshogg) October 4, 2019

Welcome to the party @HRFJones ???
— Ali Price (@AlistairPrice) October 4, 2019

One for you, @KelvingroveArt ? pic.twitter.com/VspWc8AdjW
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 6, 2019

Sound and vision

Despite the result, the first home game of the new season wasn’t short of noteworthy points off the pitch as well as on it – a new big screen, a world-renowned pipe band, the launch of a new hospitality offering and Issue One of the club’s brand-new official magazine all caught the eye…

We’re honoured to have the world famous ScottishPower pipe band at Scotstoun this evening thanks to @SPEnergyNetwork pic.twitter.com/rG5FA6tlOF
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

The @scotrugbystore at Scotstoun is starting to get busy. Don’t forget to pop in for your official merchandise. pic.twitter.com/Abyn1JzCYg
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

? Just under an hour to go until kick-off on the main pitch, but some quality rugby is already underway out on the back pitches this evening. pic.twitter.com/M5f11eoVKA
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

Our boss lady @jinglis168 telling all #ClubKubeNet members & @HughDan1956 about our involvement with Rugby and Our sponsorship of @CarthaQPGirls & @GlasgowWarriors. Also all about our @KubeWarriors initiative #rugby pic.twitter.com/MjBp3q8PpW
— KubeNet (@Kube_NET) October 4, 2019

Double vision ? pic.twitter.com/8HreoHFD07
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

Brilliant! ??
— Fiona Shaw (@Fin75) October 4, 2019

Well done Warriors getting the second screen in
— Paul Phillips (@paul_paulmelv) October 4, 2019

Excited to pick up your copy of Warrior this evening?

Here’s a thread of reasons why you should get your hands on the first issue of our new club magazine ? pic.twitter.com/8WvwXZuFC3
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019

Nine Warriors in Scotland squad for Russia test

Out in Japan, the Rugby World Cup continues on Wednesday for Gregor Townsend and his Scotland squad, as they prepare to take on Russia in their penultimate group match. Nine Warriors have been named in the starting XV, including a first appearance of the tournament for Peter Horne and George Turner.

? | Nine Warriors named in the Scotland starting XV to play Russia at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa this Wednesday.

⬇️https://t.co/zOflQGN9Z6
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 7, 2019

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Here is your Scotland team to face Russia in our third #RWC2019 Test at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa! #AsOne

Kick-off 8.15am BST, 4.15pm local time – Live on ITV/STV pic.twitter.com/Da99KryJ4l
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 7, 2019

WATCH: ‘It’s a different side of the World Cup that you don’t normally get to see’ @Scotlandteam pay a visit to a School in Kobe ?

? Scotland v Russia
⏰ 08:15, Wednesday 9th October
? Live coverage via our website pic.twitter.com/FdXoboOSoU
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 4, 2019

Siua makes an impact on RWC debut

Meanwhile in the red of Tonga, Glasgow Warriors tighthead Siua Halanukonuka made his presence felt in his first appearance on the sport’s biggest stage. The prop was part of Tonga’s narrow defeat to France on Sunday morning, coming off the bench at half-time to impressive effect.

The team to face @FranceRugby has been named! #teamtonga pic.twitter.com/zzrkVxjprs
— Tonga Rugby Union (@officialTongaRU) October 4, 2019

Tonga have a monster scrum, never seen a French scrum demolished so easily. @theblitzdefence
— Taff Martin (@TaffMartin) October 6, 2019

FULL TIME at #RWCKumamoto

A late @officialTongaRU try wasn’t enough as a brave Tongan fightback ended two points short @FranceRugby join England in the Quarter-finals ?#RWC2019 #FRAvTGA pic.twitter.com/E7CnDuyi7u
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2019

DTH lines up for Canada

It will be a special occasion for DTH van der Merwe this week, as the winger breaks the Canadian record for appearances at a Rugby World Cup. As if that wasn’t enough, he will break the record in his first ever match against the country of his birth, with Canada taking on South Africa tomorrow in Kobe.

It comes in the same week as the 10th anniversary of the winger’s debut for Glasgow Warriors, a fact not lost on the Warrior Nation.

ROSTER: Your 23-man squad to face @Springboks for game 3. Here we go Canada! ?? #RugbyCA #RWC2019 #RSAvCAN

Oct 8- 6:15am ET/ 3:15am PT
? @TSN_Sports 1 & 4
? https://t.co/yAxLcJXwvm pic.twitter.com/a07bhzUJ7J
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) October 6, 2019

A milestone match for @DTHVDM! The South African born winger is on the cusp of breaking the record for most #RWC appearances by a Canadian (15) in his first match against his birth nation ?? #RugbyCA #RWC2019 #RSAvCAN

More >> https://t.co/diFOrpLA1t @TorontoStar @StarSports pic.twitter.com/O1PEhSIapP
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) October 7, 2019

?? A new Canadian record for SA-born DTH van der Merwe against the Boks tomorrow!

? https://t.co/yPqvDcAX6P #RWC2019 #RSAvCAN pic.twitter.com/YqzP4wAf8N
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 7, 2019

On this day 10 years ago @DTHVDM made his debut for @GlasgowWarriors when he replaced Thom Evans against Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Another 114 games (plus 51 tries) later it’s turned out not too badly for DTH or the club! #WeAreWarriors pic.twitter.com/5W4NwgG7yN
— Kevin Millar (@topofthemoonGW) October 3, 2019

Way to go DTH !!!
— Norman Rockwell (@rugger291) October 3, 2019

Fijian duo start on bench

Fiji take on Wales in their final Rugby World Cup group match on Wednesday, and both of Glasgow’s will be hoping to make an impact from the bench for John McKee’s side.

? Team announcement ?@fijirugby have announced their side to play @WelshRugbyUnion on Wednesday, at 18.45 (GMT+9) #WALvFIJ #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/r0FEqNiEij

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 7, 2019

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ?
Our lineup for the match against Wales at Oita Stadium on Wednesday
Not much changes from last weeks game, the boys recover well after their last game, and went back to business as they continue to build on the momentum as they prepare to face Wales. pic.twitter.com/UyHgQOozYB

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) October 7, 2019

?? Both of the club's Flying Fijians will be involved in Fiji's final #RWC2019 group match on Wednesday, as Niko Matawalu and Mesu Dolokoto start on the bench for John McKee's side.

All the best! https://t.co/OIDwaRLWZx

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 7, 2019

Catch up on Warriors HQ

Missed the latest Warriors HQ? Fear not…

? WARRIORS HQ | Go behind the scenes at Scotstoun this week as the players prepare for tonight’s @PRO14Official match against @scarlets_rugby. pic.twitter.com/K55WCApAKR
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 4, 2019