Glasgow Warriors name 30-strong squad for pre-season opener

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 30-strong playing group for this weekend’s opening pre-season encounter, which will see the defending BKT URC champions travel to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi to take on Zebre Parma on Saturday night.

The squad – from which Smith and his coaching team will pick a starting XV prior to tomorrow night’s encounter – sees a mixture of established figures and fresh faces make the trip to northern Italy, as the Warriors take to the field for their first of two hit-outs ahead of the new campaign.

Included in the playing group are eight of the matchday 23 that took to the field at Loftus Versfeld to claim the BKT URC title back in June, with Duncan Weir the most-experienced member of the playing group travelling to Parma.

The 2023/24 McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season, Josh McKay, and The Famous Grouse Coaches Award recipient, Tom Jordan, also make the trip, both men having enjoyed standout campaigns last season.

Jamie Dobie and Gregor Brown are included after their exploits on Scotland’s tour of the Americas earlier this summer, with Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter and Jamie Bhatti completing the cohort that also took to the field in Pretoria.

Two of the club’s new signings will pull on Glasgow colours for the first time, as Patrick Schickerling and Fin Richardson are both selected following their summer switches from Exeter Chiefs, whilst Jack Mann is set to wear a Warriors jersey for the first time since his professional debut away to Bath in December 2022.

A trio of hookers in the form of Angus Fraser, Gregor Hiddleston and Grant Stewart are named amongst the travelling contingent, with Ben Afshar and Sean Kennedy joining Dobie as the scrum-half options.

Alex Samuel and Logan Trotter are the final two senior squad members selected for the flight to Parma, with Duncan Munn also included after making his professional debut last season.

A total of 10 of the club’s senior academy are given their opportunity to impress by Smith and his coaching team, including first run-outs for Jare Oguntibeju and Macenzzie Duncan after the pair’s impressive outings for Stirling Wolves in last season’s Super Series Sprint.

Another standout of that competition, fly-half Richie Simpson, is likewise set for his first pre-season involvement as a Glasgow Warrior, joining Tom Banatvala and Ben Salmon in progressing from the Glasgow Warriors A squad last season.

Johnny Ventisei, Fergus Watson and Ryan Burke are selected after helping Scotland U20 to World Rugby U20 Trophy glory in Edinburgh earlier this summer, with fellow age-grade standouts Kerr Johnston and Amena Caqusau also taking their seat on the plane.

The Glasgow squad is rounded out by Hong Kong international Callum McFeat Smith, the prop having been invited to train with the Warriors during the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign after impressing for Boroughmuir Bears.

Speaking ahead of the match, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The squad is looking forward to tomorrow night’s test, as we take the next step in our pre-season preparations after a productive few weeks at Scotstoun.

“The match presents an opportunity for some of our younger prospects to step out in a Glasgow shirt for the first time, having put their hands up with their work in training so far, and we are excited to see what they can produce in a matchday environment.

“We look forward to the challenge, as we continue to put the building blocks in place ahead of the new season.”

Glasgow Warriors squad to face Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Saturday 31 August 2024, kick-off 7.30pm UK time.

Forwards: Tom Banatvala, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Ryan Burke, Macenzzie Duncan, Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, Gregor Hiddleston, Jack Mann, Jare Oguntibeju, Fin Richardson, Alex Samuel, Patrick Schickerling, Callum McFeat Smith, Grant Stewart, Henco Venter.

Backs: Ben Afshar, Amena Caqusau, Jamie Dobie, Kerr Johnston, Tom Jordan, Sean Kennedy, Josh McKay, Duncan Munn, Ben Salmon, Richie Simpson, Logan Trotter, Johnny Ventisei, Fergus Watson, Duncan Weir.

Secure your seats at Scotstoun on Saturday 7 September for The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Friendly 🙌

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— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) August 29, 2024