Squad named for pre-season opener
4 Sep 2026Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 31-strong squad for tomorrow’s opening pre-season friendly, as his side travels to Kingston Park to take on Newcastle Red Bulls.
The playing group blends a mix of senior professionals with some of the club’s brightest up-and-coming talents, including six of the nine graduates from last season’s senior academy.
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There will also be a first run-out for Ottavio Tuipulotu in the front-row, as the hooker pulls on a Glasgow Warriors jersey for the first time since arriving at Scotstoun last summer following his recovery from injury.
Tuipulotu is joined by Jake Shearer and Murphy Walker up front, whilst Jare Oguntibeju partners Scotland U20 standout Dan Halkon in the engine room for tomorrow’s clash.
Academy flanker Dylan Cockburn lines up on the blindside, linking up with Angus Fraser and Macenzzie Duncan in the back-row.
Jack Oliver and Matthew Urwin are paired together in the half-backs, both players having put pen to paper on professional contracts ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Similarly, academy graduates Kerr Yule and Kerr Johnston line up as the midfield combination, having dove-tailed to devastating effect for Glasgow Warriors A over recent seasons.
New academy winger Guy Rogers starts on the wing, as he lines up alongside Cameron van Wyk and Fergus Watson in the back-three.
Ruaraidh Hart takes his place amongst the replacements after putting pen to paper on a first professional contract with the club, whilst Bayley Kuenzle is selected in the matchday squad following his summer arrival from the Western Force.
Elsewhere, Callum Reidy and Harvey Preston are included after joining the club’s academy this summer, whilst returning academy players Harry Provan, Ollie McKenna, Joe Roberts and Alex Bryden are selected, the latter trio having impressed for Scotland U20 during the U20 World Championship earlier this year.
Experience is provided by front-row duo Patrick Schickerling and Sam Talakai, as well as Euan Ferrie in the back-row and Josh McKay at full-back.
Dan Lancaster and Johnny Ventisei round out the senior players selected in the matchday squad, whilst Jamie McAughtrie and Gregor Johnston join the playing group after signing one-month training contracts with Franco Smith’s squad.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Tomorrow marks the latest milestone in our preparations for the new season, as we test ourselves against a Newcastle side that began their pre-season fixtures with a win last week.
“The match is a chance for our academy players and recent academy graduates to show what they can do and to put their hands up for future selection, and the group has been training hard in preparation for their opportunity.
“We look forward to seeing our squad run out on the field tomorrow evening and we know that the players are keen to get stuck in.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park, Saturday 5 September, kick-off 5pm. Follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jake Shearer
2 Ottavio Tuipulotu
3 Murphy Walker
4 Dan Halkon
5 Jare Ogntibeju
6 Dylan Cockburn
7 Angus Fraser
8 Macenzzie Duncan
9 Jack Oliver
10 Matthew Urwin
11 Guy Rogers
12 Kerr Yule
13 Kerr Johnston
14 Cameron van Wyk
15 Fergus Watson
Replacements: Jamie McAughtrie, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Ruaraidh Hart, Euan Ferrie, Callum Reidy, Johnny Ventisei, Bayley Kuenzle, Joe Roberts, Ollie McKenna, Harvey Preston, Gregor Johnston, Dan Lancaster, Harry Provan, Alex Bryden, Josh McKay.
