Squad named for Plaster It Purple clash

• 13 Apr 2023

A Glasgow Warriors starting XV showing 10 changes from last weekend’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final victory will take to the field for tomorrow night’s Plaster It Purple clash with the Scarlets at Scotstoun, in what will be the penultimate round of the BKT United Rugby Championship regular season.

Franco Smith’s side goes into the match – which will see the club support its Official Charity Partner, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, through a host of activations across the night – knowing that a win will secure a home quarter-final in the BKT URC.

Johnny Matthews is the only alteration to the front-row that started at Scotstoun last weekend, the hooker packing down between Scotland international duo Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson.

An all-new second-row partnership sees Lewis Bean start alongside JP du Preez, the pair both coming into the starting lineup after coming off the bench on Saturday night.

Ryan Wilson is named on the blindside in the week in which it was announced that the club legend will be leaving Scotstoun at the end of the season, with Sione Vailanu recovering from injury to line up at number eight in a back-row completed by Matt Fagerson.

Ali Price is promoted from the replacements bench to start at scrum-half, with Tom Jordan selected at fly-half after his try-scoring cameo against the Lions last time out.

Sam Johnson and Stafford McDowall rekindle their partnership in the centres, the duo having been central to the club’s historic win away to Munster three weeks ago on their last outing together.

Huw Jones shifts to full-back to accommodate Johnson and McDowall’s inclusion, as Cole Forbes and club captain Kyle Steyn complete the starting XV.

Fraser Brown comes into the matchday 23 for the first time since that triumph at Thomond Park, the hooker joining Nathan McBeth and Simon Berghan as the front-row cover.

Richie Gray and Scott Cumming rotate to the bench after starting both of the club’s EPCR Challenge Cup knockout matches to date, Rory Darge doing likewise after a Player of the Match-winning display against the Lions.

Jamie Dobie and Domingo Miotti cover the backs in a six-two split on the bench, the pair having also both been involved in both of the club’s European knockout ties at Scotstoun.

 

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Tomorrow night presents another good test for our squad, against a team that has been performing well in recent weeks.

“Training has been competitive this week, with everyone keen to put their hand up for selection.

“We look forward to running out in front of our home supporters tomorrow night, and we hope to see Scotstoun turn purple for a great cause.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Scarlets at Scotstoun, Friday 14 April, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (84)
2 Johnny Matthews (45)
3 Zander Fagerson (123)
4 Lewis Bean (36)
5 JP du Preez (20)
6 Ryan Wilson (220)
7 Matt Fagerson (90)
8 Sione Vailanu (15)

9 Ali Price (125)
10 Tom Jordan (20)
11 Cole Forbes (36)
12 Sam Johnson (102)
13 Stafford McDowall (52)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (61)
15 Huw Jones (55)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (137)
17 Nathan McBeth (20)
18 Simon Berghan (29)
19 Richie Gray (97)
20 Scott Cummings (101)
21 Rory Darge (27)
22 Jamie Dobie (49)
23 Domingo Miotti (18)

Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (knee), Facundo Cordero (hamstring), Jack Dempsey (back), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Josh McKay (foot), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (foot), Sione Tuipulotu (shoulder).