Harley returns for Scarlets clash

4 Mar 2022

Rob Harley is one of seven alterations to the Glasgow Warriors team for tomorrow evening’s visit to the Scarlets, as Danny Wilson’s men look to extend their winning streak in the United Rugby Championship to six consecutive matches.

The club’s record holder for appearances, this weekend’s match will be Harley’s first outing in Glasgow colours since December’s victory over Exeter at Scotstoun.

Fresh from putting pen to paper on a new contract with the Warriors, Johnny Matthews starts for the first time since October, as the hooker packs down between Scotland international props Oli Kebble and Simon Berghan.

Harley returns to action in the second-row, with the former West of Scotland man partnering Kiran McDonald in the engine room.

Ally Miller is promoted to the starting XV after coming off the bench in each of the club’s last three fixtures, joining captain Ryan Wilson and Jack Dempsey in a dynamic back-row triumvirate.

An all-new half-back combination sees Jamie Dobie handed the number nine shirt, with Duncan Weir – who became only the third player in club history to pass 800 points on his most recent appearance for the Warriors – starting outside him at fly-half.

The centre partnership is unchanged, meaning that Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn continue to dove-tail in midfield after being released from Scotland camp for this weekend’s clash.

Josh McKay returns from injury to make his first start on the wing in Glasgow colours, with Ollie Smith retaining the full-back jersey in a back-three completed by Cole Forbes.

On the bench, Ewan McQuillin is in line for his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since February 2020 after being named amongst the front-row cover.

Murphy Walker is selected as the replacement loose-head prop, Fraser Brown providing a wealth of experience to proceedings as and when called upon.

Richie Gray rotates to the bench to accommodate the returning Harley, with Thomas Gordon doing likewise as he swaps jerseys with Miller.

Ross Thompson and Stafford McDowall retain their places as the cover for the outside backs, the former sitting in the top 10 for points scored in the URC this season.

The matchday 23 is completed by Jordan Lenac, the Ayrshire Bulls scrum-half set to run out in Glasgow colours for only the second time almost a year on from his professional debut.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “After five wins in a row in the URC we are looking forward to taking on Scarlets tomorrow in Llanelli.

“We’re pleased to welcome back Josh McKay and Rob Harley from injury.

“Scarlets are a dangerous team and have some quality individuals – we’ll need to be at our best tomorrow afternoon.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 5 March, kick-off 5.15pm, live on Premier Sports 1. You can also follow all the action as it happens on our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1. Oli Kebble (69)
2. Johnny Matthews (22)
3. Simon Berghan (5)
4. Kiran McDonald (46)
5. Rob Harley (259)
6. Ryan Wilson (C) (204)
7. Ally Miller (6)
8. Jack Dempsey (13)

9. Jamie Dobie (29)
10. Duncan Weir (118)
11. Cole Forbes (17)
12. Sam Johnson (85)
13. Kyle Steyn (44)
14. Josh McKay (6)
15. Ollie Smith (13)

16. Fraser Brown (119)
17. Murphy Walker (2)
18. Ewan McQuillin (2)
19. Richie Gray (74)
20. Thomas Gordon (45)
21. Jordan Lenac (1)
22. Ross Thompson (27)
23. Stafford McDowall (33)

Unavailable for selection: Jamie Bhatti, Scott Cummings, Walter Fifita, George Horne, Sean Kennedy, Tom Lambert, Nathan McBeth, Rufus McLean, Enrique Pieretto.

International duty: Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Ali Price, Sione Tuipulotu, George Turner.