Settled side named for Exeter clash

Settled side named for Exeter clash

  • 17 Dec 2021

Head Coach Danny Wilson has named a team showing just a single change from last weekend’s narrow defeat in La Rochelle, as Glasgow Warriors prepare to take on Exeter Chiefs this weekend in what will be the club’s first home European tie for almost two years.

Jamie Bhatti’s promotion to the starting XV is the only alteration from the side that took to the field at the Stade Marcel Deflandre, with the Warriors earning a losing bonus-point at the home of last season’s runners-up.

George Turner and Zander Fagerson join Bhatti in an all-Scotland front-row, with Bhatti and Turner having also started Glasgow’s victory over the English outfit at Scotstoun back in 2018.

Richie Gray and Scott Cummings pair up once more in the second-row, having each claimed a lineout steal in La Rochelle last time out.

After making more carries than all bar three players in the opening round of the competition, Jack Dempsey continues at number eight in a back-row completed by Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson.

Ali Price once again leads the side from scrum-half, with Ross Thompson making his first home European start at fly-half a week on from his Heineken Champions Cup debut.

Sam Johnson and Sione Tuipulotu continue their combination in the midfield, the pair forming another all-international partnership in the Glasgow starting lineup.

Josh McKay starts at full-back after making more metres with ball in hand than any other Warrior last weekend, with Kyle Steyn and Cole Forbes lining up on the wings once more.

Bhatti’s inclusion sees Oli Kebble rotate to the bench, where the loose-head joins Johnny Matthews and Enrique Pieretto as the front-row cover.

Rob Harley brings his wealth of experience to proceedings in the number 19 jersey, with the former West of Scotland man joining Kiran McDonald in covering the second and back-rows.

Thomas Gordon is named as part of a six-two split, the flanker in line for his first Heineken Champions Cup appearance since January 2020’s 45-7 victory away to Sale Sharks.

The bench is rounded out by George Horne and Duncan Weir, the pair having also covered the back-line in France last time out.


Speaking following selection, Head Coach Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “Although we lost in La Rochelle, there were many positives to build on including the physicality we showed against a very powerful team.

“Leaving La Rochelle with a losing bonus-point gives us a big opportunity this weekend; however, again we will need to produce another physical display and take our opportunities to get a home win against another good Exeter team.

“We’re looking forward to our first home European match in nearly two years, in front of a packed Scotstoun.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Exeter Chiefs at Scotstoun, Saturday 18 December, kick-off 5.30pm, live on BT Sport 2. You can also follow all the action as it happens in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1. Jamie Bhatti (54)
2. George Turner (67)
3. Zander Fagerson (104)
4. Scott Cummings (81)
5. Richie Gray (69)
6. Matt Fagerson (75)
7. Rory Darge (11)
8. Jack Dempsey (7)

9. Ali Price (C) (100)
10. Ross Thompson (22)
11. Cole Forbes (14)
12. Sam Johnson (79)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (8)
14. Kyle Steyn (38)
15. Josh McKay (2)

16. Johnny Matthews (18)
17. Oli Kebble (63)
18. Enrique Pieretto (24)
19. Kiran McDonald (39)
20. Rob Harley (258)
21. Thomas Gordon (40)
22. George Horne (72)
23. Duncan Weir (112)

Unavailable for selection: Hamish Bain, Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Sean Kennedy, Tom Lambert, Stafford McDowall, Rufus McLean, Ewan McQuillin, Ryan Wilson.

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