Four changes ahead of Cardiff encounter

• 21 Mar 2024

A Glasgow Warriors side showing four changes will run out under the Friday night lights this weekend, as Franco Smith’s squad welcomes back a host of returning internationals for the visit of Cardiff to Scotstoun.

In total, eight of the Warriors involved in the Scotland setup across the Guinness Six Nations return to club action tomorrow night, in a matchday 23 that also sees Loch Lomond RFC product Duncan Munn in line to make his professional debut for his boyhood club.

An unchanged front-row sees Nathan McBeth and Lucio Sordoni line up either side of Johnny Matthews, the hooker extending his try-scoring lead over the rest of the BKT United Rugby Championship by notching his 11^th of the campaign in Treviso last time out.

Alex Samuel and Max Williamson combine once more in the second-row, having both contributed in both attack and defence during the win over Benetton.

Euan Ferrie starts on the blindside after being voted as McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month for February, joining Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey in the back-row after their exploits during the Guinness Six Nations.

Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie and Duncan Weir combine in the half-backs, the former starting his third match in succession in the BKT URC.

Tom Jordan and Stafford McDowall are paired in the centres, both players having crossed the whitewash in Treviso in the club’s last outing.

Kyle Steyn returns to captain the side in the only alteration to the back-three, the Scotland winger joining Sebastian Cancelliere and Josh McKay to round out the starting XV.

Former Scotland U20 co-captain Munn could make his first competitive appearance for the Warriors should he be called off the bench tomorrow night, having signed a first-ever partnership contract with the club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Munn’s former U20 team-mate Gregor Hiddleston retains his place in the matchday 23, with Allan Dell and Oli Kebble joining the hooker as the front-row cover.

Sintu Manjezi wears the number 19 jersey, as Ally Miller and Henco Venter are both selected amongst a six-two split of forwards and backs on the replacements bench.

George Horne completes the replacements, returning to Glasgow colours after featuring in all five of Scotland’s matchday squads across the Guinness Six Nations.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Everyone is looking forward to being back at home tomorrow night.

“We know that we will need to be at our best tomorrow night – Cardiff will pose a strong challenge, with a powerful pack of forwards and some high-quality backs that will test us around the park.

“It is also an exciting opportunity for Duncan Munn to represent this club for the first time in a competitive match – he is a local boy proud to pull on the Glasgow shirt, and he has earned his place in the matchday squad.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Cardiff at Scotstoun, Friday 22 March, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Nathan McBeth (33)
2 Johnny Matthews (63)
3 Lucio Sordoni (26)
4 Max Williamson (9)
5 Alex Samuel (14)
6 Euan Ferrie (13)
7 Matt Fagerson (102)
8 Jack Dempsey (41)

9 Jamie Dobie (57)
10 Duncan Weir (144)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (68)
12 Tom Jordan (39)
13 Stafford McDowall (71)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (32)
15 Josh McKay (40)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (3)
17 Allan Dell (8)
18 Oli Kebble (97)
19 Sintu Manjezi (18)
20 Ally Miller (25)
21 Henco Venter (11)
22 George Horne (108)
23 Duncan Munn (0)

Unavailable for selection: Jamie Bhatti (foot), Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Richie Gray (bicep), Huw Jones (hand), Jack Mann (ankle), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Sione Tuipulotu (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee).