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October 02, 2020

Glasgow team for season opener

Posted by Editor on October 2, 2020 05:10 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Stafford McDowall starts at centre
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson has named a matchday 23 containing 17 internationals for this weekend's clash with Connacht, the club's opening match of the 2020/21 campaign.

Club co-captains Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown are both selected in the starting XV, as the Warriors look to defend a strong recent record in visits to The Sportsground.

Brown is flanked in the front row by Oli Kebble and D'arcy Rae, with the former making his 50th appearance in Glasgow Warriors colours.

Scott Cummings and Robert Harley are paired together in the second-row, having impressed both in the loose and at the set-piece against Edinburgh last time out.

Matt Fagerson packs down at number eight, with the vastly experienced duo of Wilson and Chris Fusaro starting on the flanks.

Behind the scrum, Ali Price gets the nod to start in the number nine jersey, partnering Adam Hastings in the half-backs.

Stafford McDowall lines up at inside-centre alongside Nick Grigg, with both men having caught the eye in the August win at BT Murrayfield.

The back-three sees Robbie Nairn handed a first start for Glasgow Warriors since the opening match of the 2019/20 season against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, as the former Scotland U20 joins Tommy Seymour and Huw Jones in the starting lineup.

On the bench, Aki Seiuli returns to the matchday squad for the first time since February after recovering from a thumb injury to join George Turner - also in line for his 50th appearance for the club - and Enrique Pieretto as the front-row cover.

New signing Fotu Lokotui is in line to make his club debut after being named in the number 20 jersey, whilst Richie Gray completes the pack replacements.

George and Peter Horne start on the bench this weekend, as Ratu Tagive rounds out the replacements.

Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Wilson said: "We have been working hard during this mini preseason and now all eye are on the new season.

"We're looking forward to seeing Oli Kebble and George Turner both make their 50th appearance for the club and we're excited to see Fotu Lokotui get his first appearance off the bench.

"We know the conditions we could face at The Sportsground and how Connacht like to play, and we're ready for the challenge they present.

"We've worked hard over the last month, and we're excited to get our season underway tomorrow."

Glasgow Warriors

15 Huw Jones

14 Tommy Seymour
13 Nick Grigg
12 Stafford McDowall
11 Robbie Nairn

10 Adam Hastings
9 Ali Price

1 Oli Kebble
2 Fraser Brown (Captain)
3 D'arcy Rae
4 Robert Harley
5 Scott Cummings
6 Ryan Wilson
7 Chris Fusaro
8 Matt Fagerson

Substitutes

16 George Turner
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Richie Gray
20 Fotu Lokotui
21 George Horne
22 Peter Horne
23 Ratu Tagive

Unavailable for selection: Sam Johnson, Lee Jones, Sean Kennedy, Kiran McDonald, Kyle Steyn.

Tom Gordon and Zander Fagerson are unavailable for selection for the upcoming game in order to comply with the necessary Scottish Government Covid-19 isolation protocols and to protect the medical integrity of the wider squad.