Squad named for Ulster trip

• 6 Oct 2023

A 27-strong Glasgow Warriors squad will head across the Irish Sea to wrap up their pre-season account this weekend, as Franco Smith’s men travel to Cavan to take on Ulster.

The Warriors will be looking to back up their 33-29 victory over Zebre Parma at Scotstoun last time out, in what will be the first rugby match played at Kingspan Breffni, the home of Cavan GAA.

An unchanged front-row means that Angus Fraser continues at hooker, with Nathan McBeth and Lucio Sordoni packing down either side of the Dundee Eagles product.

Max Williamson comes into the second row after missing out on last weekend’s victory, partnering former Scotland U20 team-mate and fellow University of Strathclyde student Alex Samuel.

Henco Venter continues at number eight after his first hit-out in Glasgow colours last Saturday, joining Ally Miller and Gregor Brown in a dynamic back-row trio.

Jamie Dobie once again captains the side from scrum-half, the 22-year-old partnering Duncan Weir in the half-backs.

The midfield partnership is also unchanged, meaning Tom Jordan and Duncan Munn dove-tail once more in the centres after an impressive outing last weekend.

There’s a return from injury for Josh McKay at full-back, as the New Zealand-born flyer joins Sebastian Cancelliere and Kyle Rowe – both try-scorers last Saturday – in a dangerous back-three.

A first Glasgow Warriors run-out for Gregor Hiddleston awaits should the hooker be called upon off the bench tomorrow night, as the hooker joins international duo Oli Kebble and Enrique Pieretto – as well as Boroughmuir Bears hooker Corey Tait – as the front-row cover.

Academy trio Ruaraidh Hart, Kerr Johnston and Ben Salmon all retain their places in the matchday squad after featuring against Zebre Parma, as they prepare for a first away trip with Smith’s squad.

Thomas Gordon returns from injury to cover the back-row, whilst Ben Afshar once again covers scrum-half after a lively cameo at Scotstoun last weekend.

The replacements are rounded out by Facundo Cordero and Ross Thompson, the latter having been flawless from the kicking tee on his return to Glasgow Warriors action.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “After a good start Zebre Parma last weekend in the first half, we also had a good chance to look at the development of our academy players in the second half.

“We now this week have an opportunity this weekend to take the next step towards the new season.

“Ulster will be very well prepared and have played a number of games already, so this will be an important step as we approach the new campaign.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Kingspan Breffni, Cavan, Saturday 7 October, kick-off 2pm. You can watch the match live on BBC Northern Ireland via BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport app.

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Angus Fraser
3 Lucio Sordoni
4 Max Williamson
5 Alex Samuel
6 Gregor Brown
7 Ally Miller
8 Henco Venter

9 Jamie Dobie (C)
10 Duncan Weir
11 Kyle Rowe
12 Tom Jordan
13 Duncan Munn
14 Sebastian Cancelliere
15 Josh McKay

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston
17 Oli Kebble
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Ruaraidh Hart
20 Thomas Gordon
21 Ben Afshar
22 Ross Thompson
23 Facundo Cordero
24 Corey Tait
25 Ben Salmon
26 Kerr Johnston
27 Ollie Horne