Steyn and Dempsey return for Toulon showdown

• 18 Jan 2024

Glasgow Warriors will field a starting XV containing 11 internationals for the club’s pivotal Investec Champions Cup showdown with Toulon at Scotstoun, with Kyle Steyn and Jack Dempsey set to make their return to action tomorrow night.

The pair – both amongst the 15 Warriors selected in the Scotland squad for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations – have recovered from their respective injuries to line up under the Friday night lights for Franco Smith’s squad, knowing a win will be enough to secure a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

An all-new front-row sees George Turner and Lucio Sordoni come into the starting XV alongside Jamie Bhatti, the loose-head having agreed to extend his contract with Glasgow Warriors earlier this week.

Max Williamson makes his first professional start for the club in the second-row, joining the experienced figure of Richie Gray in the engine room for tomorrow’s clash.

Dempsey’s return sees the Scotland international line up at number eight in an otherwise unchanged back-row, with Ally Miller and Matt Fagerson continuing after impressive performances at Sandy Park last weekend.

Behind the scrum, George Horne is paired with Tom Jordan in the half-backs, the latter having featured in all three of the club’s Investec Champions Cup matches to date in 2023/24.

Sione Tuipulotu shifts to inside centre for the first time in 2024, as he links up with Huw Jones in the midfield to resume their partnership in the centres.

Steyn returns to captain the lineup from the wing, joining Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay – both try-scorers in the Investec Champions Cup this season, against Exeter Chiefs and Bayonne respectively – in the back-three.

An all-international trio lie in wait as the front-row cover amongst the replacements, as Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson join the club’s top try-scorer, Johnny Matthews.

Scott Cummings and Henco Venter rotate to the bench after their all-action displays in Exeter last weekend, with Euan Ferrie retained amongst the replacements after making his first appearance of the season at Sandy Park.

The back-line is covered by Ben Afshar and Stafford McDowall, the former awaiting his first European appearance after being an unused replacement at Sandy Park.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Our performance at Sandy Park last weekend was the level that we know we need to produce again tomorrow night.

“Toulon are a team with a proud history in European competition, and we know that we will have to be on top of our game as they come here aiming to secure their own qualification.

“We’re pleased to welcome Kyle and Jack back into our starting lineup after their hard work alongside our medical team, and we look forward to running out at home again tomorrow night.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Toulon at Scotstoun, Friday 19 January, kick-off 8pm. Tickets are still available for the match at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (98)
2 George Turner (98)
3 Lucio Sordoni (23)
4 Max Williamson (6)
5 Richie Gray (111)
6 Ally Miller (23)
7 Matt Fagerson (101)
8 Jack Dempsey (40)

9 George Horne (107)
10 Tom Jordan (36)
11 Kyle Rowe (10)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (45)
13 Huw Jones (66)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (67)
15 Josh McKay (37)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (60)
17 Oli Kebble (95)
18 Zander Fagerson (138)
19 Scott Cummings (115)
20 Euan Ferrie (10)
21 Henco Venter (8)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Stafford McDowall (68)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).