Six changes for Zebre clash

• 2 Dec 2022

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has made six alterations to his starting XV ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s trip to face Zebre Parma, as his players look to claim a first away win of the season at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Five of the six changes return from their international exploits for Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series, with Ryan Wilson’s inclusion at blindside flank the only exception.

Zander Fagerson is one of the five returnees from Scotland duty, as the tight-head lines up alongside Oli Kebble and Fraser Brown in the front-row.

Sintu Manjezi continues his run of being involved in each of his team’s 2022/23 fixtures to date, with Richie Gray partnering the South African in the second-row having completed World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme and reduced his three-week suspension by one week.

Sione Vailanu is the only member of the back-row that took to the field in Dublin last weekend to retain his place, as Wilson is included on the blindside and Matt Fagerson comes in to start at number eight.

The half-backs are unchanged, meaning that George Horne and Tom Jordan combine once again, the latter the only back to have featured in each of Glasgow’s opening seven BKT United Rugby Championship matches so far this season.

Sione Tuipulotu returns from an impressive autumn campaign with Scotland to start at outside centre, joining Stafford McDowall in the midfield for tomorrow’s clash in Parma.

Kyle Steyn moves to the wing to accommodate Tuipulotu’s return, as Ollie Smith comes into the starting lineup at full-back in a back-three completed by Sebastian Cancelliere.

Murphy Walker rotates to the bench after starting at the RDS last time out, where he joins Johnny Matthews and Jamie Bhatti as the front-row replacements.

Similarly, Gregor Brown also moves to the bench to accommodate the inclusion of Wilson, with JP du Preez and Lewis Bean both retaining their spots in the matchday 23.

Jamie Dobie continues in the number 22 shirt, as Argentinian fly-half Domingo Miotti returns to action after a minor knock kept him on the sidelines for the trip to Dublin.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of Zebre tomorrow in Parma and we’re pleased to welcome back a number of internationals for it.

“Against Leinster we created a number of opportunities, however, we weren’t able to convert those into points.

“Tomorrow’s game is an opportunity for us to play our brand of rugby and showcase the hard work we have put in in training this week.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Saturday 3 December, kick-off 1pm (UK time). You can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports 1, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1.Oli Kebble (83)
2. Fraser Brown (129)
3. Zander Fagerson (120)
4. Sintu Manjezi (7)
5. Richie Gray (88)
6. Ryan Wilson (217)
7. Sione Vailanu (3)
8. Matt Fagerson (82)

9. George Horne (85)
10. Tom Jordan (7)
11. Kyle Steyn (C) (53)
12. Stafford McDowall (41)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (25)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere (15)
15. Ollie Smith (20)

Replacements

16. Johnny Matthews (33)
17. Jamie Bhatti (73)
18. Murphy Walker (9)
19. JP du Preez (6)
20. Lewis Bean (21)
21. Gregor Brown (10)
22. Jamie Dobie (38)
23. Domingo Miotti (10)

Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (foot) Allan Dell (calf), Rory Darge (ankle), Cole Forbes (neck) Thomas Gordon (calf), Sam Johnson (jaw), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Alex Samuel (back), Ross Thompson (ankle), Duncan Weir (calf).