Four changes for cardiff clash

A Glasgow Warriors team showing four changes from last weekend will take to the field at Scotstoun tomorrow night, as Franco Smith and company welcome Cardiff for their 2022/23 BKT United Rugby Championship home opener.

The match will also see the Warrior Nation roar on their team from the Scotstoun stands for the first time in almost six months, with the club’s last home fixture resulting in a 40-12 victory over Zebre Parma back on Friday 1 April.

Two of the four changes can be found in the front-row, as Zander Fagerson – a try-scorer off the bench last time out – and Fraser Brown come in to start alongside Jamie Bhatti.

Scott Cummings is another to be promoted from the replacements bench to start tomorrow night, as he joins Richie Gray in the engine room.

Rory Darge is selected to start at openside, a move that sees Matt Fagerson shift to the blindside in a trio completed by number eight Jack Dempsey.

The half-backs are unchanged from last weekend’s season opener in Treviso, meaning George Horne and Tom Jordan – fresh from his debut last weekend – continue in the nine and 10 jerseys.

Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu pair up in the centres, the latter jointly leading the Warriors for defenders beaten in round one.

A similarly unchanged back three sees Sebastian Cancelliere and Kyle Steyn named on the wings, with Cole Forbes continuing in his role at full-back.

There’s a potential debut in store for South African second-rower JP du Preez tomorrow night, after the summer arrival from Sale Sharks was named amongst the replacements by Smith and the coaching team.

He will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow off-season signings Lucio Sordoni and Sintu Manjezi, both of whom retain their places in the matchday 23 by rotating to the bench for tomorrow night’s clash.

George Turner and Oli Kebble complete the front-row replacements, whilst Thomas Gordon also continues amongst the bench in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Ali Price is once again named in the number 22 shirt, with Argentinian fly-half Domingo Miotti recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of round one to take his place in the matchday squad for tomorrow night.

Speaking following selection, Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “It’s been almost six months since the squad have played in front of their home crowd and everyone has been fighting hard to earn the chance to run out at Scotstoun on Friday night.

“Last weekend’s game was not how we wanted to start our season; however, it has given us valuable insight into what our players have taken away from pre-season and our new game plan.

“We have challenged the players to be brave this Friday, and begin writing our own story going forward.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Cardiff Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 23 September, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports 2, or follow all the action through the @GlasgowWarriors Twitter account.

1. Jamie Bhatti (68)
2. Fraser Brown (123)
3. Zander Fagerson (116)
4. Scott Cummings (91)
5. Richie Gray (84)
6. Matt Fagerson (80)
7. Rory Darge (21)
8. Jack Dempsey (23)

9. George Horne (81)
10. Tom Jordan (1)
11. Kyle Steyn (C) (50)
12. Stafford McDowall (39)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (21)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere (10)
15. Cole Forbes (25)

Replacements

16. George Turner (78)
17. Oli Kebble (78)
18. Lucio Sordoni (1)
19. JP du Preez (0)
20. Sintu Manjezi (1)
21. Thomas Gordon (53)
22. Ali Price (112)
23. Domingo Miotti (6)

Unavailable for selection: Lewis Bean (head), Allan Dell (calf), Jamie Dobie (hamstring), Huw Jones (back), Nathan McBeth (knee) Ally Miller (back), Enrique Pieretto (shoulder), Ollie Smith (back), Ross Thompson (back), Sione Vailanu (sickness)