Tuipulotu returns as Stephen makes debut

Sione Tuipulotu will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since January in tomorrow night’s clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, whilst Scotland U20 hooker Seb Stephen is set for his first professional outing after being named to start at hooker in the club’s final regular-season fixture.

Tuipulotu’s return comes a week after the centre was selected in The British & Irish Lions squad set to tour Australia this summer, as he returns to the Glasgow midfield following four months on the sidelines with a pectoral injury.

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Meanwhile, Stephen is one of three players that featured in last Saturday’s win for Glasgow Warriors U23 over Benetton U23 to be named to start tomorrow night, the hooker having been involved with the club since an eye-catching U20 Six Nations campaign in Scotland colours.

The Aberdeen-born hooker comes into the front-row to pack down between Jamie Bhatti and Fin Richardson, the only alteration to the front-row that started in last weekend’s visit to Benetton.

Jare Oguntibeju comes into the engine room to start alongside Alex Samuel, the former making his first senior appearance since being named as the club’s Elior Breakthrough Player of the Season last month.

The back-row sees Macenzzie Duncan selected at blindside for a first start in Glasgow colours, with Rory Darge – who beat 10 defenders with ball in hand last weekend, more than any other player in the BKT United Rugby Championship – and Euan Ferrie completing the back-row.

Behind the scrum, Ben Afshar comes into the starting XV to line up at scrum-half, forming an all-new half-back combination as Adam Hastings is handed the number 10 jersey.

Tuipulotu’s return forms part of an all-British & Irish Lions midfield combination, as he joins Huw Jones in the centres for tomorrow night’s encounter.

Kyle Steyn captains the squad from the wing once more, with Sebastian Cancelliere and Kyle Rowe coming into the starting lineup to round out the back-three.

Murphy Walker is retained amongst the replacements after making his return from a long-term injury layoff last weekend, the prop joining Gregor Hiddleston and Nathan McBeth as the front-row cover.

JP du Preez wears the number 19 jersey, whilst the four remaining replacements – Scott Cummings, Stafford McDowall, George Horne and Tom Jordan – each rotate to the bench after starting in Treviso last time out.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Franco Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Leinster’s strength in depth is well-known across Europe, and we know that they will pose a tough test with a vocal home crowd behind them.

“Our medical and S&C teams have been working closely with Sione over the last few weeks in order to put him in the best possible position, and his enthusiasm for his return to action has been infectious.

“We also look forward to seeing Jare and Macenzzie run out tomorrow after impressing for our U23 squad last week, and we congratulate Seb on being named in a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time. Each man has earned their opportunity to start this weekend and we know that they will all give everything for this team.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, Saturday 17 May, kick-off 7.35pm. You can follow the action as it happens in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org, or watch live on Premier Sports.

1 Jamie Bhatti (122)
2 Seb Stephen (0)
3 Fin Richardson (6)
4 Jare Oguntibeju (8)
5 Alex Samuel (37)
6 Macenzzie Duncan (1)
7 Rory Darge (64)
8 Euan Ferrie (36)

9 Ben Afshar (21)
10 Adam Hastings (67)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (89)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (65)
13 Huw Jones (80)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (57)
15 Kyle Rowe (34)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (24)
17 Nathan McBeth (55)
18 Murphy Walker (14)
19 JP du Preez (31)
20 Scott Cummings (139)
21 Stafford McDowall (91)
22 George Horne (136)
23 Tom Jordan (68)

Unavailable for selection: Gregor Brown (knee), Jack Dempsey (hamstring), Matt Fagerson (ankle), Zander Fagerson (calf), Angus Fraser (head), Johnny Matthews (knee), Josh McKay (ankle), Ally Miller (back), Duncan Munn (shoulder), Patrick Schickerling (foot), Rory Sutherland (shoulder), Henco Venter (suspension), Duncan Weir (shoulder), Max Williamson (shoulder).