GEORGE HORNE will make his comeback from a foot injury which has kept him out of action since December, in Glasgow Warriors’ final game of the PRO14 season against Benetton at Scotstoun tomorrow.
He is one of three changes in the backline, alongside Ollie Smith at full-back and Ratu Tagive on the right wing, in place of Adam Hastings and Rufus McLean, who are both on international duty.
In the pack, James Scott, who is on-loan from Worcester Warriors, joins Richie Gray in the second-row, with Kiran McDonald shifting to the blindside flanker in an all-new back-row which also features Fotu Lokotui and TJ Ioane. Tom Gordon has dropped to the bench while Rob Harley and Ryan Wilson are in Paris with Scotland.
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“As a coaching and playing group last week’s performance was one we were all disappointed with and we need to bounce back with a good performance this weekend,” said head coach Danny Wilson.
“With the likes of Ryan [Wilson], Rob [Harley], Rufus [McLean] and Jamie [Dobie] away with our Scotland internationals, others get the chance to step up and stake a claim for the jersey.
“It’s great to welcome George [Horne] back – having the likes of him and Fraser [Brown] back available to us is a massive boost.
“Benetton will have their internationals back with them, and like us they will be looking to build some momentum ahead of next weekend’s European fixtures.”
Glasgow Warriors (v Benetton at Scotstoun, Saturday @1.45pm): O Smith; R Tagive, N Grigg, R Fergusson, L Jones; R Thompson, G Horne; A Seiuli, F Brown©, E Pieretto, R Gray, J Scott, K McDonald, F Lokotui, T Ioane. Substitutes: J Matthews, D Evans, D Rae, H Bain, T Gordon, S Kennedy, I Keatley, N Matawalu.
Benetton: E Padovani; R Tavuyara, J Riera, M Zanon, A Esposito; T Allan, L Petrozzi; T Gallo, G Lucchesi, M Riccioni, N Cannone, F Ruzza, A Sgarbi©, M Zuliani, R Favretto. Substitutes: C Els, D Appiah, I Nemer, N Piantella, E Snyman, C Trussardi, J Hayward, T Benvenuti.
Unavailable for selection: Alex Allan, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Cole Forbes, Chris Fusaro, Tommy Seymour, Kyle Steyn.
International duty: Jamie Dobie, Zander Fagerson, Rob Harley, Adam Hastings, Sam Johnson, Huw Jones, Oli Kebble, Rufus McLean, Ali Price, Grant Stewart, George Turner, Ryan Wilson.
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Great news both George and Niko back , will watch the game with interest. Interesting to see young Thompson with George at 9.
So good to have George back again – it has seemed like ages that he’s been out with this foot injury. On form, he’s definately the best Scottish 9 for me.