FRANCO SMITH has spun the selection wheel ahead of tomorrow night’s European Challenge Cup pool stage second round match against USA Perpignan at Murrayfield, with 10 personnel changes and one positional alteration to the started fifteen from last weekend’s away win over Bath.
The match has been moved to Murrayfield as the arctic conditions have rendered the playing surface at Scotstoun unplayable.
In the pack, Murphy Walker takes over from Simon Berghan at tight-head prop, Richie Gray returns ahead of the benched JP du Preez to partner Lewis Bean in the second-row, while it is an all new back-row of Matt Fagerson at blindside, Sione Vailanu at openside and Jack Dempsey.
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Glasgow v Perpignan: Challenge Cup clash moved to Murrayfield
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Scrum-half George Horne, stand-off Duncan Weir, outside-centre Siu Tuipulotu, winger Sebastian Cancelliere and full-back Josh McKay all join the backline. Huw Jones moves from outside to inside-centre, and Rufus McLean in the No 11 jersey is the only player behind the scrum selected in the same position as he started last week.
“After starting the campaign with a win last weekend in Bath, we know every game is important in ensuring we show the best version of ourselves and take the next step in growing our processes,” said Smith.
“We’re confident in our full squad of players and we know each and every one of them is determined to contribute to the success of Glasgow Warriors.
“We’re also very thankful to everyone who has put the effort in behind the scenes to get this game played, and we want to give our fans a performance to be proud of tomorrow night.”
Glasgow Warriors (v USA Perpignan at BT Murrayfield, Friday 16th December, kick-off 8pm): J McKay: S Cancelliere ©, S Tuipulotu, H Jones, R McLean; D Weir, G Horne; J Bhatti, G Turner, M Walker, L Bean, R Gray, M Fagerson, S Vailanu, J Dempsey. Substitutes: J Matthews, N McBeth, S Berghan, J du Preez, S Manjezi, E Ferrie, A Price, T Jordan.
Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Allan Dell (calf), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Cole Forbes (neck) Thomas Gordon (calf), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Alex Samuel (back), Ross Thompson (ankle), Ryan Wilson (knee).
Perpignan: T Tedder; G Tilsley, A Taumoepeau, D Laborde, M Acebes; J McIntyre, T Ecochard; G Tetrashvili, S Lam, S Halanukonuka, P Faasalele, T Labouteley, L Velarte, K Gellatier, G Lemalu. Substitutes: M Tradjer, X Chiocci, A Joly, P Tuilagi, L Bachelier, S Degmache L Dubois, B Goutard.
Hearts + Balls whisky offer celebrates Grand Slam successes and supports a great cause
Looks like a potential bonus winning side and progression to the knockouts should be not far behind.
conditions could be a leveller, and suspect that is why Weir is starting -Miotti played well but his goalkicking unconvincing