Gray returns for 1872 Cup clash

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson is able to call upon the services of Richie Gray for Saturday afternoon’s (2 January) 1872 Cup clash away to Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 3pm), following the second-row’s recovery from concussion.

Gray is one of five changes to the starting line-up that took the field away to Exeter three weeks ago, as Wilson’s men look to kick 2021 off with a bang.

In the front-row Aki Seiuli replaces the unavailable Oli Kebble and is joined at the coal face by Zander Fagerson and hooker George Turner.

Fresh from signing a new long term deal with the club, Scott Cummings packs down with fellow Scotland second-row Richie Gray in the boiler house.

Wilson has opted for an unchanged back-row with captain Ryan Wilson at six, Tom Gordon at seven and Matt Fagerson at eight.

In an all Scottish qualified back-line, Brandon Thomson makes his first start of the season at fly-half and is joined by Ali Price at scrum-half.

In the midfield, Sam Jonson starts at inside centre and is once again paired up with Nick Grigg outside him at 13.

Lee Jones retains his place in the back three and is joined by Ratu Tagive on the opposite wing with Huw Jones at full-back.

On the bench Glasgow academy fly-half Ross Thomson is in line to make his professional debut and become 319^th player to take the field for Glasgow Warriors.

George Thornton is named on the bench with the loosehead in line to make his first appearance for the club in almost 14 months as he is named alongside Enrique Pieretto and Johnny Matthews as front row cover.

TJ Ioane and Lewis Bean complete the forward replacements, with the latter returning to the Warriors on loan from Northampton Saints.

The replacements are completed by full-back Glenn Bryce and young scrum-half Jamie Dobie.

Speaking about his selection, Head Coach Danny Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “Derbies like these are the games you want to be involved in, and after a layoff after COVID the boys are motivated and looking forward to getting back onto the pitch.

“We have trained well this week and are looking forward to the challenge of a strong Edinburgh side away from home.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO14, Saturday 2 January, kick-off 3pm, live on Premier Sports 1. You can follow the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1. Aki Seiuli (20)

2. George Turner (54)

3. Zander Fagerson (95)

4. Richie Gray (51)

5. Scott Cummings (73)

6. Ryan Wilson (C) (179)

7. Tom Gordon (25)

8. Matt Fagerson (66)

9. Ali Price (91)

10. Brandon Thomson (30)

11. Ratu Tagive (20)

12. Sam Johnson (65)

13. Nick Grigg (79)

14. Lee Jones (85)

15. Huw Jones (43)

Replacements

16. Johnny Mathews (5)

17. George Thornton (1)

18. Enrique Pieretto (8)

19. Lewis Bean (4)

20. TJ Ioane (7)

21. Jamie Dobbie (13)

22. Ross Thompson (0)

23. Glenn Bryce (32)

Unavailable for selection: Alex Allan, Fraser Brown, Rob Harley, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Pete Horne, Oli Kebble, Sean Kennedy, Kiran McDonald, Rufus McLean, Niko Matawalu, Leone Nakarawa, Tommy Seymour, Kyle Steyn