Two changes for ulster pre season clash

• 8 Sep 2022

Head Coach Franco Smith has named a starting XV showing two changes from last weekend’s win over Ayrshire Bulls, as Glasgow Warriors welcome Ulster to Scotstoun for tomorrow night’s The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Challenge.

The fixture marks the final opportunity for Smith and his squad to fine-tune any aspects of their game before the 2022/23 season gets underway, with the opening round of United Rugby Championship matches just one week away.

One of Smith’s two changes comes in the front-row, as Murphy Walker replaces Simon Berghan in a trio completed by Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews.

An unchanged engine room sees Lewis Bean retained in the second-row, packing down alongside Richie Gray for the visit of the Irish province.

The other alteration from last weekend sees Jack Dempsey – a try-scorer off the bench in Inverness – come in at number eight in place of Sione Vailanu, joining Sintu Manjezi and Thomas Gordon in an all-action back-row.

George Horne and Domingo Miotti continue their combination in the half-backs, the former having also found his way over the whitewash at the Caledonian Stadium last weekend.

The centre partnership is once again formed by Tom Jordan and Stafford McDowall, the former Ayr duo having linked up well last time out.

Kyle Steyn captains the side from the wing, with Walter Fifita and Cole Forbes completing the starting lineup for tomorrow night.

A quartet of internationals are brought onto the bench having missed the clash in Inverness, with 12 replacements in total named by Smith and his coaching team.

Duncan Weir is included amongst the replacements after recovering from an off-season injury, whilst Sebastian Cancelliere is included after touring with the Argentina XV over the summer.

Sam Johnson and Jamie Bhatti both come into the matchday squad for their first taste of pre-season action, the pair having toured with Scotland to South America over the summer.

Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown once again bring a wealth of experience to proceedings from the replacements bench, whilst Sione Vailanu and JP du Preez are included after their first pre-season outings in Glasgow colours last weekend.

Lucio Sordoni and Cam Jones are likewise included after taking to the field for the first time for the Warriors in Inverness, with academy prospects Ross McKnight and Euan Ferrie completing the matchday squad.

Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Head Coach Smith said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Ulster to Scotstoun tomorrow night.

“We are all motivated to build on last weekend’s performance against Ayrshire Bulls as we continue to build towards the new season.

“Ulster have a well drilled pack and will present a real challenge up font and an in defence.

“Tomorrow will be the first time we run out in front of our fans at Scotstoun for five months and everyone is looking forward to experiencing the special atmosphere that the Warrior Nation brings.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 9 September, kick-off 7.30pm. You can watch the match live on the Recast app, as well as following live updates on Twitter at @GlasgowWarriors.

1. Nathan McBeth
2. Johnny Matthews
3. Murphy Walker
4. Lewis Bean
5. Richie Gray
6. Sintu Manjezi
7. Thomas Gordon
8. Jack Dempsey

9. George Horne
10. Domingo Miotti
11. Walter Fifita
12. Tom Jordan
13. Stafford McDowall
14. Kyle Steyn (C)
15. Cole Forbes

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Lucio Sordoni, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Sione Vailanu, Euan Ferrie, Cam Jones, Duncan Weir, Sam Johnson, Ross McKnight, Sebastian Cancelliere.