Hiddleston to make Glasgow Warriors debut

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Warriors' Gregor Hiddleston in action during a closed door friendly match between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium, on November 24, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The 22-year-old – who earned Player of the Match honours in the FOSROC Super Series Final when helping Stirling Wolves to the title – is one of six changes to the team for Glasgow’s first match of 2024, as Franco Smith’s side go in search of a first away win in Devon since 2014.

Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson pack down either side of Hiddleston in the front-row, the former making his first start in the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup.

Scott Cummings continues in the second-row, whilst Alex Samuel – Hiddleston’s former captain at Scotland U20 level – returns to the starting lineup after starting in the 12-11 win away to Aviron Bayonnais in round two.

Matt Fagerson is named at openside after recovering from a facial injury sustained against Northampton Saints at the start of December, joining Ally Miller and Henco Venter in the back-row for the trip to Exeter.

Behind the scrum, Duncan Weir comes into the squad to start at fly-half nine years on after coming off the bench in the 2014 victory over Exeter, partnering George Horne in the half-backs.

Sione Tuipulotu captains the side for the fourth match in succession as he lines up at outside centre, Stafford McDowall joining the skipper in midfield after his try-scoring display at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last time out.

An unchanged back-three sees Huw Jones slot in on the wing alongside Kyle Rowe, with Josh McKay completing the starting XV by continuing at full-back.

Euan Ferrie is in line for his first appearance of the 2023/24 campaign after being selected amongst the replacements, the man from East Kilbride covering the back-row in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Jamie Bhatti rotates to the bench to provide cover in the front-row alongside Scotland colleague George Turner, Lucio Sordoni completing the trio of front-row replacements after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Richie Gray wears the number 19 jersey, whilst Max Williamson continues amongst the replacements after impressing across the month of December.

The backs are covered by Ben Afshar and Tom Jordan, the former set for his first taste of away European rugby after being an unused replacement in Bayonne.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Everyone has come back in well-prepared ahead of this match, and training this week has been competitive with everyone putting their hand up for selection.

“Exeter are a team in excellent form and have started the season strongly – they do not lose many matches at home and we know that there will be an electric atmosphere at Sandy Park tomorrow afternoon.

“We are also excited to see Gregor take to the field for his Glasgow Warriors debut; he is a young player who has worked hard, taken on board feedback from the coaches and his peers, and has earned his opportunity.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Saturday 13 January, kick-off 1pm. You can watch the match live on ITV, STV and TNT Sports, or follow all the action on our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org

1 Oli Kebble (94)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (0)
3 Zander Fagerson (137)
4 Scott Cummings (114)
5 Alex Samuel (10)
6 Ally Miller (22)
7 Matt Fagerson (100)
8 Henco Venter (7)

9 George Horne (106)
10 Duncan Weir (141)
11 Kyle Rowe (9)
12 Stafford McDowall (67)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (44)
14 Huw Jones (65)
15 Josh McKay (36)

Replacements

16 George Turner (97)
17 Jamie Bhatti (97)
18 Lucio Sordoni (23)
19 Richie Gray (110)
20 Max Williamson (6)
21 Euan Ferrie (9)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Tom Jordan (35)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jack Dempsey (face), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Sintu Manjezi (foot), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Kyle Steyn (ankle), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).